5G Roaming Call Routing Through Visitor GMLC Location Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current 5G network specification lacks a mechanism for the home network to understand the location of roaming user equipment (UE) to route location-dependent calls effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Network Function Repository (NRF)-to-NRF communication in the 5G standard to establish a chain of communication between the home and visitor networks, enabling the home network to determine the UE's location by using Cell Global Identity (CGI) and triangulate the appropriate routing number through a visitor GMLC, even when the UE is roaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If 5G network specification is used for roaming UE, then network connectivity is improved, but location determination capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Visitor GMLC as an intermediary component between the Home Network and the roaming UE. This Visitor GMLC receives location information from the visiting network and forwards it to the Home Network, enabling the home network to determine UE location without requiring direct location reporting mechanisms in the 5G core network. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining 5G connectivity while restoring location determination capability through network-side assistance.
2Device complexity
If home network does not track roaming UE location, then network complexity is reduced, but call routing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the visiting network (visited GMLC) determine and prepare the UE's location information before the call routing decision is needed. The Visitor GMLC proactively obtains location data from the visiting network's location management function and makes it available to the home network's GMLC in advance, enabling accurate call routing without requiring continuous location tracking by the home network.
Solution Approach 2:
The Visitor GMLC serves as an intermediary that handles location information acquisition and processing for roaming UEs. Instead of the home network directly tracking UE locations (which would increase complexity), the Visitor GMLC mediates by receiving location data from the visiting network and forwarding it to the home network, thus maintaining routing accuracy while avoiding direct home network involvement in location management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 5G standard is used without location mechanism, then standard compliance is improved, but call routing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the Visitor GMLC a multi-functional component that handles both 5G connectivity management and location determination for roaming UEs. This single component performs multiple functions: it manages the UE's connection to the visiting network, determines the UE's location based on cell information, and provides this location data to the home network for call routing decisions. This approach maintains 5G standard compliance while restoring call routing capability through a versatile network element.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method to route a call from a roaming UE on a 5G network. The system receives from a UE belonging to a home network an indication of a call to a dialed number. The call requires information associated with the UE that is not available to the first wireless telecommunication network, because the UE is roaming on a visitor network. The indication of the call includes a unique identifier of the visitor network. The system can determine based on the unique identifier that the UE is roaming and send a request to the visitor network to provide instructions on how to route the received call. Upon obtaining the instructions on how to route the received call, the system routes the received call.