IMEI/IMEISV/TAC Screening for Blocklisted Roaming Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roaming processes in mobile networks fail to effectively deny network services to lost or stolen user equipment and optimize bandwidth usage by steering devices to networks that match their capabilities and past associations.
Innovation Solution
A system that modifies the roaming attach procedure to screen devices using IMEI/IMEISV/TAC identification, creating a blocklist and mapping associations, allowing or denying access based on device capabilities and past network interactions, and steering devices to networks with compatible capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional roaming processes are used, then devices can access foreign networks, but lost or stolen devices can also attach to foreign networks that do not include blocklist information
Solution Approach 1:
The home network performs preliminary screening of the device's IMEI/IMEISV/TAC against its blocklist before allowing the device to attach to a foreign network. This preliminary check prevents lost or stolen devices from accessing foreign networks while maintaining normal roaming functionality for authorized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The home network acts as an intermediary between the device and foreign networks by intercepting and screening the device's identification information during the attach process. This intermediary function enables the home network to enforce blocklist policies across foreign networks without requiring those networks to maintain separate blocklists.
2Productivity
If network-based steering is used, then operators can optimize bandwidth and manage network agreements, but foreign network targets may change rapidly making management difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The home network pre-establishes steering rules and policies that map device characteristics and network conditions to preferred foreign networks. These pre-configured rules enable rapid, automated steering decisions without requiring complex real-time negotiations or manual interventions when network conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering system operates autonomously by automatically matching devices to appropriate foreign networks based on pre-configured policies and current network conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual steering management and allows the system to adapt to changing network targets without increasing operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If SIM-based steering with preferred network lists is used, then devices can be directed to specific networks, but maintenance suffers from significant logistic issues and handset differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses device identifiers (IMEI/IMEISV/TAC) that are universally present in all mobile devices regardless of handset type or SIM card. This universal identification approach replaces SIM-based steering, eliminating maintenance logistics issues and compatibility problems with different handset types while maintaining network selection control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical SIM card-based steering mechanism with an electronic identification system using IMEI/IMEISV/TAC. This substitution eliminates the physical logistics of SIM card maintenance and over-the-air updates while achieving the same network steering objectives through electronic means.
4Reliability
If blocklisting is performed only on the home network, then the device is blocked on the home network, but the device can still attach to foreign networks without blocklist information
Solution Approach 1:
The home network serves as an intermediary that enforces blocklist policies across foreign networks by screening device identifiers during the roaming attach process. This intermediary function extends the effectiveness of home network blocklisting to foreign networks without requiring those networks to maintain separate blocklists, preventing blocked devices from accessing foreign networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The home network performs preliminary screening of device identifiers against its blocklist before the device can attach to any foreign network. This preliminary action ensures that blocklisted devices are prevented from accessing foreign networks at the point of attachment, making the blocklisting effective across the entire roaming ecosystem rather than just on the home network.
Data Source
AI summary
A lost or stolen mobile electronic device may attempt to attach to a foreign network where the phone is not blocklisted. During the foreign network/roaming attach process, a location update may be sent to the home network. The location update may include identifying information for the device. A mapping of the device and the foreign network's association may be stored within an operator database at the home network. Once the lost or stolen phone authenticates with an access point (AP), the mobile device may associate or register with the AP to gain full access to the foreign MNO. The lost or stolen phone may send an Association Request including updated location information and the phone's identification to the phone's home network. If the mapping does not include the phone's identification and the requesting foreign network, then the home network will deny the association request.