eUICC Dummy Subscription for Cost-Effective Network Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commercialization of eUICC is hindered by the complexity and cost associated with provisioning subscriptions, which require additional IMSI/MSISDN numbering resources and continuous active provisioning subscriptions in the Home Location Register, leading to increased costs and operational complexity for mobile network operators.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a wireless device uses dummy subscription information to establish a provisional connection, allowing it to receive active subscription information over a radio interface, which is then stored and used to enable a new local operator subscription, thereby reducing the need for continuous active provisioning and IMSI/MSISDN resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a provisioning subscription is always kept active in the HLR to ensure connectivity for eUICC devices, then the device can fall back to this subscription in case of connectivity failure, but this continuously generates extra cost and increases operational complexity for operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the provisioning subscription from the traditional HLR storage location and relocates it to an external provisioning server. This separation allows the HLR to no longer maintain active provisioning subscriptions, eliminating the continuous cost and operational complexity while preserving the fallback capability through the external server
2Adaptability or versatility
If provisioning subscriptions use additional IMSI/MSISDN numbering resources, then eUICC devices can be provisioned with operational profiles, but this consumes limited numbering resources that are becoming increasingly scarce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the external provisioning server a universal solution that can serve multiple operators and devices without requiring dedicated IMSI/MSISDN resources in each operator's HLR. The server handles provisioning for different operators using their respective numbering plans, eliminating the need for additional numbering resources while maintaining full provisioning capability
3Reliability
If an always-active provisioning subscription is maintained in the HLR, then connectivity fallback is ensured, but this requires continuous licensing cost and network space that operators and enterprises must pay for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the provisioning subscription management from the operator's HLR to an external provisioning server. This eliminates the need for continuous HLR space allocation and licensing costs, as the external server handles all provisioning operations without requiring reserved resources in the operator's network infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The external provisioning server operates autonomously to manage and provision subscriptions on-demand. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operators to maintain active provisioning subscriptions in their HLR, converting the continuous cost model into an on-demand service model that reduces ongoing licensing expenses
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods may be provided to operate a wireless device including memory with dummy subscription information stored therein. Such methods may include transmitting an attach request message over a radio interface to a mobile communication network, wherein the attach request message includes the dummy subscription information. After transmitting the attach request message, active subscription information for the mobile communication network may be received over the radio interface, wherein the active subscription information is different than the dummy subscription information. In addition, the active subscription information for the mobile communication network may be stored in memory.