Anti-Roaming-Steering Server for Mobile Network Registration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roaming-steering mechanisms in mobile networks often prioritize higher-priority networks over lower-priority ones, making it difficult for mobile devices to register with lower-priority networks, which can lead to increased outbound roaming traffic and reduced revenue for mobile operators.

Innovation Solution

An anti-roaming-steering method that detects and neutralizes manipulations of the registration process by simulating repeated Location Update attempts and intercepting error messages, allowing mobile devices to register with lower-priority networks by signaling successful manual selection and simulating acknowledgments to the home network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If roaming-steering mechanisms are used to prioritize higher-priority networks, then the likelihood of registration with higher-prioritized networks increases, but the registration with lower-prioritized networks becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration success rate with higher-priority networksVSAvoidregistration capability with lower-priority networks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-roaming-steering server proactively counteracts the roaming-steering mechanism by detecting and neutralizing manipulations before they fully prevent registration. It monitors the registration process and intervenes when corrupt error messages are detected, allowing registration with lower-priority networks to proceed despite the presence of steering mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-roaming-steering server acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the roaming-steering server. It intercepts and analyzes signaling messages, detecting corrupt error messages and neutralizing manipulations, thereby mediating the registration process to allow registration with lower-priority networks while maintaining network security and integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If roaming-steering servers exert direct influence on signaling to steer registrations, then outbound roaming traffic can be controlled, but the manipulation of the registration process occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutbound roaming traffic controlVSAvoidintegrity of registration process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-roaming-steering server implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring signaling messages during the registration process. It detects corrupt error messages generated by roaming-steering servers and responds by neutralizing these manipulations, providing feedback that maintains the integrity of the registration process while allowing traffic control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-roaming-steering server serves as an intermediary that sits between the mobile device and the roaming-steering server. It allows the roaming-steering server to exert influence on signaling for traffic control purposes, while simultaneously detecting and neutralizing corrupt manipulations, thereby preserving the integrity of the registration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If mobile network operators employ roaming-steering servers to increase registration with own networks, then revenue generation is improved, but the complexity of the signaling process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevenue loss from outbound roaming trafficVSAvoidcomplexity of signaling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-roaming-steering server acts as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system by handling the complexity of detecting and neutralizing corrupt error messages. This allows mobile network operators to implement roaming-steering mechanisms for revenue protection while the anti-steering server manages the additional signaling complexity through automated detection and neutralization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-roaming-steering server implements self-service by automatically detecting corrupt error messages and neutralizing manipulations without requiring manual intervention. This automated approach reduces the operational complexity for network operators while maintaining revenue generation capabilities through controlled registration processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8254916B2Method for blocking roaming-steering mechanisms

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 T MOBILE INTERNATSIONAL AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for blocking roaming steering mechanisms. According to said method, a foreign cellular device (3), e.g. a cellular telephone, is registered with nationally visited radio network (2) when the foreign (1) and the national cellular network operator have concluded a roaming agreement on mutually debiting cellular services. The invention is characterized in that an anti-roaming steering server (5) installed in the nationally visited cellular network (2) identifies manipulated error messages (14) and selectively manipulates the registration process (8) of foreign mobile users by adequately influencing signaling processes.