Dual-SIM Roaming Platform for Mobile Data Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
International travelers face high costs and inconvenience when accessing data services while roaming, as existing systems require SIM replacement and rely on expensive roaming agreements, leading to a lack of seamless and reliable connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A platform that enables direct identification, authentication, and charging for mobile data services within visited networks, eliminating the need for SIM replacement by using improved network hardware and web-based applications to provide affordable and continuous data connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If travelers use traditional mobile roaming services, then they can maintain connectivity with their home network, but they face extremely high costs (3 to 3000 times more expensive than local packages)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local SIM card as an intermediary solution that enables travelers to access local mobile networks directly, bypassing the expensive home network roaming infrastructure. The local SIM acts as a mediator between the traveler's device and the visited network, allowing direct authentication and data service access at local rates while maintaining the ability to connect to home network services when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connectivity solution into two separate SIM cards: a home SIM for maintaining home network services and a local SIM for accessing affordable local data services. This segmentation allows travelers to use each SIM for its optimal purpose, combining the reliability of home network connectivity with the cost-effectiveness of local pricing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If travelers replace their home SIM with a local SIM, then they can access local data services at lower costs, but they lose their home phone number and require specialized tools for SIM replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the SIM functionality into two separate physical SIM cards that can coexist in modern dual-SIM devices. The home SIM remains installed and active for receiving calls and messages on the home number, while the local SIM is inserted separately for data services. This eliminates the need to remove or replace the home SIM, allowing travelers to maintain both functions simultaneously without requiring specialized replacement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of modern smartphones that support dual SIM cards, allowing the device to simultaneously handle both home network services and local data services. The universal design of dual-SIM capability in contemporary devices enables seamless switching between SIMs for different purposes without requiring physical modification or specialized tools.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If travelers rely on Wi-Fi for data connectivity, then they can avoid mobile roaming costs, but they experience limited availability and lack of seamless connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local SIM card as an intermediary that provides direct access to local mobile networks, serving as a reliable alternative to Wi-Fi for mobile data connectivity. Unlike Wi-Fi which requires finding and connecting to specific access points, the local SIM enables seamless mobile network access throughout the visited country, maintaining connectivity while traveling without being constrained by Wi-Fi availability or requiring manual connection management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If home networks compensate multiple parties for roaming services, then they can maintain standardized roaming agreements, but they create complex pricing structures that make data roaming extremely expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data service authentication and billing function from the traditional home network roaming infrastructure and relocates it to the local network. By using a local SIM card, the traveler's device is directly authenticated by the visited network's home subscriber server, eliminating the need for complex inter-carrier compensation agreements. This extraction of the authentication function to the local network enables direct billing at local rates without involving multiple intermediary parties and their associated fees.
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods are provided for provisioning mobile data services in mobile network systems. By taking advantage of a bifurcated authentication process, the systems and methods described herein provide data services to mobile devices without requiring a secure element such as a SIM card. This allows travelers to benefit from local data networks and services without having to purchase an additional SIM and or change their mobile phone numbers. In addition, these systems and methods allow mobile data users to take advantage of lower local data rates and avoid high roaming costs. Furthermore, these systems and methods provide networks with efficient techniques for servicing visiting/roaming users directly with mobile data without the unnecessary overhead associated with data roaming.