Dynamic Network Steering via Mobile Network Scoring System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roaming technologies prioritize commercial agreements over network quality, resulting in users often connecting to suboptimal networks while abroad, which negatively impacts user experience.
Innovation Solution
A Dynamic Network Steering method that utilizes a Mobile Network Scoring System to identify better networks based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as download speed, upload speed, latency, and signal strength, and initiates a Roaming Steering Refresh to switch the user to a higher quality network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If roaming steering is based on commercial agreements, then operator revenue and partnership stability are improved, but network quality and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameters from commercial criteria to technical performance parameters. The Mobile Network Scoring System evaluates networks based on KPIs such as signal strength, data throughput, latency, and drop call rate, dynamically selecting the network with the highest score rather than following fixed commercial roaming agreements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic network selection that continuously monitors and evaluates available networks based on real-time performance metrics. The system can switch between commercial steering and quality-based steering modes, and the Mobile Network Scoring System updates network scores dynamically based on current conditions, making the roaming selection adaptive rather than static.
2Productivity
If users connect to networks based on commercial agreements, then operator revenue is improved, but user experience and network performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the Mobile Network Scoring System continuously monitors network performance KPIs and uses this information to make intelligent routing decisions. The system receives feedback about actual network conditions and adjusts network selection accordingly, ensuring users are directed to networks that provide the best experience while still allowing operators to maintain revenue through controlled steering capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the decision parameters from purely commercial considerations to a balanced evaluation that includes both commercial agreements and technical performance metrics. The Mobile Network Scoring System can weigh different factors including commercial partnership status alongside KPIs like signal strength and data throughput, enabling flexible optimization of both revenue and user experience.
3Device complexity
If static roaming partner lists are used, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the Mobile Network Scoring System to autonomously evaluate available networks and make selection decisions without requiring complex manual configuration or updates of roaming partner lists. The system self-manages the network selection process by continuously monitoring KPIs and automatically directing users to the optimal network based on current conditions, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces static roaming partner lists with a dynamic evaluation system that continuously adapts to changing network conditions. The Mobile Network Scoring System updates network scores in real-time based on monitored KPIs, allowing the system to respond to changing conditions without requiring manual intervention or complex list management, thus achieving both simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for Dynamic Network Steering in a mobile network, the mobile network comprising a User Equipment, UE, wherein the UE comprises an application module, a Mobile Network Scoring System, MNSS, an entitlement server, and an Over The Air, OTA, server, the method comprising the steps of: a) forwarding a UE location update via an Operating System Application Programming Interface, OS API, to the application module and waking up the application module; b) initiating an entitlement request towards the entitlement server to identify a customer with a customer ID; c) forwarding the customer ID to the MNSS; d) requesting, from the application module to the UE, for the Mobile Country Code - Mobile Network Code, MCC-MNC, and a current Geo Position via OS API and forwarding this information to the MNSS; e) checking, at the MNSS, by looking into a topology map and comparing Key Performance Indicators, KPI's, if at a customer current Geo Position there is available a better network, based on the compared KPI's, than the network being currently used, wherein if no better network is available, no action is needed, wherein if a better network is available: f) sending, by the MNSS, a request for Roaming of Steering Refresh, RoSR, to the OTA server and sending, by the MNSS, information about a provider or a partner, of the founded better network available, to the application module; g) generating, at the OTA server, a RoSR message and sending it to the UE, to change to the better network identified.