5G Identity SMS Routing Through WLAN Beyond MNO Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies are unable to deliver SMS messages destined for a 5G identity through a WLAN network when a user device is connected to both a 5G network and a WLAN simultaneously, particularly in scenarios where the UE is not within public MNO coverage but has WLAN coverage.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is provided to deliver SMS messages meant for a UE's 5G identity via a WLAN link using a WLAN identity, associating the UE with an enterprise WLAN, authenticating it, and generating a subscription policy to route messages through the WLAN.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SMS messages are delivered only through the 5G network, then message delivery is reliable within 5G coverage, but message delivery fails when the user device is outside 5G network coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSMS message delivery reliabilityVSAvoidmessage delivery network flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a WLAN network as an intermediary delivery path for SMS messages. When the user device is outside 5G coverage, the SMSF uses the WLAN network (via WLAN identity) as a mediator to deliver messages to the user device, thereby maintaining delivery reliability while adapting to different network conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic message routing that adapts based on network conditions. The SMSF can switch between delivering messages via 5G network (when in coverage) and WLAN network (when outside coverage), making the message delivery system flexible and adaptable to varying network availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports multiple network identities (5G and WLAN), then message delivery coverage is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-network message delivery capabilityVSAvoidnetwork identity management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the SMSF multi-functional by enabling it to handle both 5G network identities and WLAN network identities. The SMSF can route messages through either 5G network or WLAN network based on the target identity type, providing universal message delivery capability across different network types without requiring separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a mapping relationship between 5G user identities and WLAN identities. This identity mapping acts as a copy or reference mechanism that allows the system to translate and route messages between different identity systems, simplifying the management of multiple network identities by establishing correspondence between them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4364452B1Mechanism to deliver SMS meant for user's public or private 5g identity over WLAN network

Publication Date: 2025.08.13 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

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AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for delivering 5G SMS messages over an enterprise wireless local area network (WLAN). An example method can include associating, by an enterprise WLAN, a client device with the enterprise WLAN by assigning an enterprise WLAN identity to the client device, authenticating, by the enterprise WLAN, the client device, and generating, by the enterprise WLAN, a subscription policy for the client device. The client device can be subscribed to a 5G network. The subscription policy can specify how to route to the client device from the 5G network through the enterprise WLAN.