Inter-PLMN User Plane Integration via I-SMF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network operators face increased costs due to roaming data and voice services, as these costs are often allocated based on aggregated data through Internet service providers, leading to burdens on both home and roaming network operators.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an intermediate session management function (I-SMF) with an interface like N16a to connect with the home network's session management function, allowing for expanded service coverage and traffic steering, thereby reducing the need for data and voice traffic to traverse the Internet service provider of the roaming network operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If roaming is provided through other network operators, then service coverage is expanded, but costs for subscriber data services and voice services increase
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate session management function (I-SMF) is introduced as a mediator between the home network's session management function and the roaming network. This intermediary enables direct traffic steering between networks, avoiding the need for all traffic to traverse the roaming network operator's Internet service provider, thereby reducing roaming costs while maintaining expanded service coverage
2Reliability
If data and voice traffic traverse the Internet service provider of the roaming network operator, then service connectivity is maintained, but traffic burdens on roaming network operators increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traffic flow into different paths: controlled traffic (data and voice) is steered directly between the home network and roaming network through the I-SMF interface, while other traffic may still traverse the roaming network operator's Internet service provider. This segmentation reduces the traffic burden on the roaming network operator while maintaining service connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described for improving data accessibility between home network operators and roaming network operators. An intermediate session management function of a first operator and a session management function of a second operator may be connected via an interface. A session may be created between a user device and a data network based on the intermediate session management function and the session management function.