MNP-SRF Module Authentication for Ported Mobile Numbers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication networks, when a user changes their subscription from one network to another, existing systems fail to properly authenticate Short Message Service (SMS) transmissions, leading to unreasonable resource utilization and failed SMS delivery due to inconsistencies in signaling networks and Number Portability Database states.
Innovation Solution
A Signal Relay Function for Mobile Number Portability (MNP-SRF) module is introduced to authenticate Short Message (SM) calling parties by determining the Number Portability state of the calling party number and adding a network identifier to the calling party number, ensuring proper authentication and resource allocation across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MS keeps the address information of the SMSC of the network to which the subscription has been canceled, then the MS can still send SM via the old SMSC in inter-working networks, but the MS cannot send SM via the SMSC of newly subscribed network since authentication fails
Solution Approach 1:
The MNP-SRF module performs preliminary authentication of the calling party number against the Number Portability Database before routing the short message, determining whether the number has been ported to a different network. This preliminary check prevents authentication failures by ensuring the message is routed to the correct SMSC associated with the current subscription network, rather than relying on cached address information from the old network.
2Ease of operation
If the SMSC authenticates MS according to number segment without network identifier, then authentication works in single network, but authentication fails when MS subscribes to new network with same number segment
Solution Approach 1:
The solution adds a new dimension to the authentication process by incorporating network identification into the calling party number format. Instead of relying solely on the traditional number segment for authentication, the system embeds network identifier information within the calling party number itself, allowing SMSCs to authenticate callers across different networks by examining this additional dimensional information in the number structure.
3Reliability
If MNP-SRF module adds network identifier to calling party number, then correct authentication is enabled, but message processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MNP-SRF module serves as an intermediary component between the mobile switching center and the SMSC. It performs the network identifier insertion into the calling party number and the corresponding modification to the authentication parameters, shielding the complexity of these transformations from both the MSC and SMSC. This intermediary approach centralizes the processing complexity in a dedicated module that handles Number Portability queries and message routing decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for authenticating a Short Message (SM) calling party, including: if a Signal Relay Function for support of Mobile Number Portability (MNP-SRF) module detects a calling party number carried in an SM belongs to its serving network after receiving a Mobile Originated (MO) SM, the MNP_SRF module adds an identifier of the MNP_SRF module's network to the calling party number. A Short Message Serving Center (SMSC) determines whether the SM passes calling party authentication according to the fact that whether the calling party number carries an identifier of the SMSC's network. The invention provides a system for authenticating an SM calling party, including: a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), a calling MNP_SRF module, a Number Portability Database (NPDB) and a Short Message Serving Center (SMSC). The invention may avoid a mobile number having subscribed to a new network from using resources of the SMSC of a network to which the subscription has been canceled.