IBCF IMS Service Leasing via Network Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IMS systems lack flexibility for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to lease IMS services from other operators, limiting business models and competition, as MVNOs are either fully integrated or required to own all necessary equipment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing IMS network slicing and an Interconnect Border Control Function (IBCF) to enable MVNOs to lease IMS services from other operators, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages to request and manage leased services, including media functions and conferencing, while ensuring authentication and charging records are maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MVNOs fully integrate with existing IMS operators or own all necessary equipment, then service reliability and control are improved, but device complexity and capital costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific IMS services (media functions, conferencing, transcoding) from the complete IMS infrastructure and makes them available as separate leaseable components. This allows MVNOs to obtain only the specific services they need rather than owning entire IMS domains, reducing device complexity while maintaining service control through selective leasing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The IMS infrastructure is segmented into distinct functional components that can be independently leased. The IBCF creates logical separations between different service functions, allowing MVNOs to lease specific segments (e.g., media handling, conferencing) rather than requiring complete infrastructure ownership, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MVNOs lease IMS services from other operators, then adaptability and business model flexibility are improved, but service reliability and security may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The IBCF serves as an intermediary between the MVNO domain and the hosting IMS operator domain. It mediates service requests, performs authentication, validates service entitlements, and ensures secure interaction. This intermediary mechanism enables adaptable service leasing while maintaining security and reliability through controlled access and verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through authentication procedures and charging data record generation. The IBCF verifies service requests against authorized agreements, provides confirmation of service availability, and maintains records of service usage. This feedback loop ensures that adaptable service leasing operates within security constraints and reliability requirements.
3Reliability
If the IBCF performs comprehensive authentication and validation, then service security and accuracy are improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication agreements and service entitlements are established in advance between the MVNO and hosting operator before actual service requests occur. The IBCF pre-configures authorization rules and validation criteria, so that when service requests are made, the authentication process can proceed efficiently using pre-established parameters rather than requiring complex real-time verification, thus reducing service setup time while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method performed by an Interconnect Border Control Function (IBCF) in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network and corresponding embodiments of an IBCF are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method performed by the IBCF comprises receiving, from an IMS node in a virtual IMS network domain of a virtual IMS network operator, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message that serves as a request for a leased IMS service. The SIP message comprises information that identifies the leased IMS service, information that identifies an IMS network slice, information that identifies the virtual IMS network operator, information that identifies one or more sub-services requested for the leased IMS service, and/or information that identifies an IMS network slice instance. The method further comprises making a decision as to whether to accept or reject the request based on the information comprised in the SIP message.