IMS Roaming Gateway Mimicking 2G/3G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile operators face challenges in shutting down 2G/3G networks while maintaining the ability to accept 2G/3G inbound roamers, as existing VoLTE and VoNR deployments require IMS cores, leading to increased operational costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to provision a subscriber profile into an IMS-capable network's subscriber data store, allowing a VoLTE or VoNR visited network to mimic a 2G/3G roaming network, enabling it to accept inbound roamers without a 2G/3G network by modifying the Serving Gateway/Packet Data Network Gateway and Session Management Function/User Plane Function, which triggers initial provisioning during the attach procedure and supplements services during registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If operators shut down 2G/3G networks to repurpose spectrum for 4G/5G, then operational costs are reduced and spectrum is re-purposed, but the ability to accept 2G/3G inbound roamers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the 2G/3G network core functionality within the IMS infrastructure. The roaming gateway and session border controller replicate the behavior of traditional MSC/VLR elements, allowing the network to present a 2G/3G interface to inbound roamers while actually operating on 4G/5G infrastructure. This copying approach enables operators to shut down physical 2G/3G networks while maintaining roaming acceptance through virtual emulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a roaming gateway as an intermediary element between the IMS core and inbound roamers. This gateway acts as a mediator that translates 2G/3G signaling protocols into IMS-compatible formats, enabling communication between legacy roamers and modern 4G/5G networks without requiring direct 2G/3G infrastructure. The intermediary resolves the incompatibility between old and new network architectures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators deploy VoLTE/VoNR with IMS core, then packet-based voice services are enabled, but network complexity and equipment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the IMS core and associated elements (session border controller, roaming gateway) multi-functional by enabling them to handle both native 4G/5G VoLTE/VoNR traffic and inbound 2G/3G roamers simultaneously. The same IMS infrastructure that provides modern packet-based voice services also serves as the backend for legacy roaming, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems and reducing overall network complexity despite the advanced capabilities provided.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators maintain separate 2G/3G infrastructure for inbound roamers, then roaming acceptance is maintained, but operational costs and network maintenance expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of handling 2G/3G inbound roamers with the existing 4G/5G IMS infrastructure. Instead of maintaining separate 2G/3G network cores and associated elements, the solution combines roamer handling capabilities into the session border controller and roaming gateway that already exist for IMS operations. This consolidation allows operators to accept inbound roamers using the same infrastructure that provides modern voice services, significantly reducing operational and maintenance costs while eliminating redundant systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosures relates to a method of provisioning a subscriber profile into a subscriber data store of an IP Multimedia System (IMS) capable telecommunications network, the subscriber profile being for a subscriber which is a visiting subscriber with respect to the IMS-capable telecommunications network, the subscriber data store being for use in IP Multimedia System (IMS) call processing, the method comprising: receiving a request to allocate an IMS Access Point Name (APN); and in response to receiving the request to allocate the IMS APN, triggering a provisioning of the subscriber profile into the subscriber data store.