Location-Based Enterprise Policy Activation via 3GPP Proximity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing mobile network policies across overlapping networks is challenging due to the complexity of mobile networking architectures, particularly in determining the proximity of enterprise devices to enterprise sites for effective policy application.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided to provision location-based enterprise policies within a 3GPP mobile network, where policies are configured by enterprises and activated based on the proximity of devices to specific sites using a combination of macro-cellular location and detected enterprise WiFi SSIDs, allowing for tailored policy application via a policy server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple networks overlap in a communication system to provide coverage, then network coverage and accessibility are improved, but managing mobile network policies becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a policy server as an intermediary component that centralizes policy management across multiple overlapping networks. The policy server receives policy information from network elements and distributes appropriate policies to mobile devices based on their location and network context, simplifying the complexity of managing policies across multiple networks by providing a single point of control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments policy management into distinct components: policy definition (separate from enforcement), location determination (separate from policy application), and policy distribution (separate from policy monitoring). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall complexity of managing policies across overlapping networks.
2Measurement precision
If location-based policy application is implemented to manage enterprise devices, then policy enforcement accuracy is improved, but the complexity of determining device proximity to enterprise sites increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal location determination mechanism that works across multiple network types (macro-cellular, WiFi, etc.) using a common approach. The policy server can determine device proximity to enterprise sites using various location sources (GPS, cell tower triangulation, WiFi positioning) through a unified framework, improving accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables mobile devices to self-report their location information to the policy server, and devices automatically receive and apply appropriate policies based on their determined proximity to enterprise sites. This self-service approach reduces the complexity of continuous location monitoring and policy redistribution, as the system operates autonomously once initialized.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques that provide location-based enterprise policy application within a mobile network are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes provisioning a location-based enterprise policy within a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) mobile network, wherein the location-based enterprise policy comprises one or more mobile network policies configured by an enterprise and the location-based enterprise policy is associated with at least one enterprise device and at least one enterprise site of the enterprise; determining, via the 3GPP mobile network, that the at least one enterprise device is proximate to the at least one enterprise site; and activating, via the 3GPP mobile network, the one or more mobile network policies of the location-based enterprise policy based on the at least one enterprise device being proximate to the at least one enterprise site.