Local Service Subscription Gateway for Mobile Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of mobile communication networks often experience suboptimal communication quality due to the limited deployment of Local Service Instances, which are not accessible without a subscription to the respective mobile network, leading to longer user-plane paths and inferior communication quality compared to Remote Service Instances.
Innovation Solution
A method for provisioning a subscription to access Local Service Instances by receiving a registration request from a UE, transmitting subscription data retrieval requests, and authenticating to enable registration with a mobile network without a prior subscription, allowing access to local services through over-the-air authorization and PDU Session parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Local Service Instances are deployed inside an access network to improve communication quality, then communication quality is improved, but accessibility is worsened because they can be accessed only from clients that can register with this access network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables Local Service Instances to serve multiple purposes: they provide enhanced communication quality for registered clients while also being accessible to non-registered clients through the gateway interface. The gateway function acts as a universal access point that allows both registered and non-registered clients to reach local services, thus making the system more versatile without compromising communication quality for registered users.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Remote Service Instances are deployed in a public IP network to improve accessibility, then accessibility is improved, but communication quality is worsened due to longer user-plane paths
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway interface functions as an intermediary between Remote Service Instances and Local Service Instances. It enables non-registered clients to access local services without directly connecting to the access network, thereby maintaining accessibility while improving communication quality by routing traffic through the local deployment rather than over long-distance public IP network paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If subscription retrieval information is used to enable registration without prior subscription, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity is worsened due to additional authentication mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by retrieving subscription information before the actual registration process. The gateway interface obtains subscription data in advance from the subscription owner, validates it, and stores it locally. This preliminary action enables subsequent registrations to proceed smoothly without complex real-time authentication, reducing the perceived complexity for end users while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for provisioning a subscription to access local services. One apparatus includes a network interface that receives a first request message from an application function associated with a first service, the first request message containing a second subscription that enables a UE having a first subscription to register with a second mobile communication network that is not accessible with the first subscription. The apparatus includes a processor that receives an indication that the UE has initiated communication with a remote server accessible via the first mobile communication network and sends a second request message to the UE, the second request message containing the second subscription and enables the UE to access a local server via the second mobile communication network, where the local server provides the first service.