Broadband Roaming Service Allocation via OSS-BSS Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current broadband access services are location-specific, leading to unnecessary costs and resource wastage for users who need to access their services from multiple locations, as providers cannot offer roaming services for fixed broadband access or the associated services.

Innovation Solution

A system and process for dynamic allocation and movement of broadband access services and their associated contracts, enabling users to access their subscribed services across different locations through a network infrastructure that supports roaming, using standardized interfaces between operations support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) for renegotiation of service level agreements (SLAs).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If broadband access services are tied to a single fixed location, then service quality and reliability are ensured, but user mobility and access flexibility are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation independenceVSAvoidservice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The service system is segmented into multiple components: home network services, visited network infrastructure, and OSS/BSS management systems. This segmentation allows services to be distributed across different networks while maintaining coherence through standardized interfaces and protocols, enabling location-independent access without compromising service stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary systems including OSS (Operations Support System) and BSS (Business Support System) that mediate between the user's home network and visited networks. These intermediaries handle service provisioning, authentication, and management, ensuring reliable service delivery across different network domains while maintaining location independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users subscribe to multiple broadband contracts for different locations, then access availability is improved, but cost and resource waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess availabilityVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal broadband access system where a single subscription provides multi-functional access across different locations and networks. The service can be accessed at home, at visited locations, or while mobile, eliminating the need for multiple location-specific contracts and reducing resource waste associated with underutilized services.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to discard location-specific contracts and recover resources by using a single universal subscription. The OSS/BSS infrastructure tracks and manages service usage across locations, optimizing resource allocation and preventing waste from multiple overlapping subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If roaming services are implemented across networks, then user mobility is enhanced, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroaming capabilityVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs standardized parameters and interfaces for OSS-BSS communication that enable roaming capabilities without significantly increasing system complexity. By defining standard protocols and parameters for service provisioning and management, the system achieves network independence and roaming capability while maintaining manageable infrastructure requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If services are accessed from visited networks, then location independence is achieved, but service level agreement management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidSLA management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through OSS and BSS systems that continuously monitor and manage service level agreements across home and visited networks. The system provides feedback on service usage, quality, and billing information, enabling automated SLA management and simplifying the complexity of managing services across multiple network domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3732833B1Enabling broadband roaming services
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3732833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3732833B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3732833B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

T A method and system for supporting roaming broadband services. The method is implemented by a computing device in a parent provider network of a user having a unique user identifier to enable the user to utilize services associated with a broadband access service contract of the user of the parent provider network in a visited location in the parent provider network or in a roaming provider network. The method includes receiving a registration request from the user, determining the unique user identifier for the user, determining services for the user based on the unique user identifier, determining whether the user is connected to a home customer premise equipment (CPE) in the parent provider network, and configuring services and resources at a local data center in the parent provider network, in response to the user being connected to the visited location in the parent provider network.