Application-Based Routing for Low-Latency Roaming Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication networks experience inefficiencies in roaming scenarios due to long communication paths and latency issues, requiring extensive roaming agreements between telecom operators, which can lead to subscriber dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A control system and method for managing data traffic routing in roaming scenarios by determining policies based on PDU sessions, selecting optimal communication networks, and generating control signals to facilitate local breakout operations, thereby optimizing data traffic paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If home routing approach is used to route traffic through the home mobile communication network, then authentication and subscription management are maintained, but communication path length increases causing remarkable latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication and subscription managementVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the routing function by introducing an intermediate control system that separates authentication/subscription management (handled by the home network) from actual data traffic routing (handled locally by the visited network). This allows the terminal to maintain reliable authentication while routing data traffic through a shorter local path, reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the terminal device and the home mobile communication network. This control system receives routing requests, determines appropriate routing policies, and establishes direct data traffic paths through the visited network while maintaining the home network's authority over authentication and subscription management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If local breakout approach is used to route data traffic directly from the visited mobile communication network, then latency is reduced, but roaming agreements between telecom operators become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidroaming agreements complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control system that can be deployed by any visited network operator to manage local breakout routing. This control system handles multiple functions including receiving routing requests, determining routing policies, and establishing data paths, making the solution applicable across different operators and networks without requiring complex bilateral agreements for each pairing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system enables the visited network to self-manage routing decisions for roaming terminals by automatically determining routing policies based on received requests and establishing appropriate data paths. This reduces the need for manual coordination and complex agreements between operators, as each network can independently manage its own routing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If application-specific PDU sessions are established for each application, then routing flexibility is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic routing where the control system receives routing requests from applications, determines appropriate routing policies in real-time based on current network conditions and application requirements, and establishes application-specific PDU sessions as needed. This dynamic approach provides routing flexibility while the automated policy determination process manages the complexity of handling multiple applications and sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4454239B1Application based routing
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 TELIASONERA AB
  • EP4454239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4454239B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A solution for controlling a routing of data traffic of a roaming terminal device (100) with data network (160) is provided, wherein in the solution the following steps are performed: receiving (210), from an application executed in the roam-ing terminal device (100), a request for establishing a connection over an application specific packet data unit, PDU, session; determining (220), based on the PDU session, at least one policy for routing the data traffic between the roaming terminal device (100) and the data network (160); and selecting (230), based on the at least one policy, a communication network (110; 120; 130; 140) for managing the routing of the data traffic of the roaming terminal device (100).