Mobile Data Quota Brokering for Flexible Cross-Network Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for managing mobile data quotas in communication networks are inefficient due to issues such as static user groups, lack of privacy and security, limited geographical proximity requirements, and inability to integrate with mobile communication networks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A broker platform that manages data quotas by interacting with mobile communication networks to provide additional data quotas through network agreements, allowing flexible sharing and integration with various devices, and includes a Session Management Function for packet forwarding and usage monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a broker platform is introduced to manage data quotas dynamically, then data quota management flexibility and efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broker platform acts as an intermediary between mobile communication networks and user equipment, managing data quota sharing dynamically. It receives data amount requests from UEs, selects appropriate data quotas from multiple networks, and coordinates quota allocation without requiring direct complex interactions between UEs and multiple networks, thus improving flexibility while managing complexity through centralized mediation.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple data quotas from different networks are integrated through a broker platform, then data quota availability increases, but security and privacy management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The broker platform serves as a secure intermediary that abstracts the complexity of multiple network quotas. It implements centralized security policies, authentication mechanisms, and privacy protection measures while integrating data quotas from multiple networks. This allows the system to provide abundant data quota availability while maintaining reliable security and privacy management through unified control.
3Ease of operation
If dynamic data quota allocation is implemented through broker platform, then user service satisfaction improves, but computational overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broker platform performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing agreements with multiple mobile networks, pre-validating data quota availability, and pre-configuring allocation policies. When a UE requests data, the broker can quickly allocate quotas from pre-validated sources without extensive real-time negotiation, thus improving user service satisfaction while minimizing processing time through advance preparation.
4Measurement precision
If broker platform interacts with Session Management Function for quota management, then quota control precision improves, but network integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broker platform interacts with the Session Management Function (SMF) as a standardized intermediary interface. It translates high-level data quota requirements into precise technical parameters that the SMF can enforce at the network level. This standardized interaction achieves precise quota control while managing integration complexity through established protocol interfaces between the broker and network functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system is provided. The system comprises: - at least one mobile communication network (105(n)) each one adapted to grant UE (110(n,m)) subscribed thereto a corresponding data quota (DQ(n,m)) comprising a corresponding amount of mobile data the UE (110(n,m)) is allowed to exchange with the mobile communication network (105(n)) it is subscribed to; - a broker platform (120) configured to make available for at least one mobile communication network (105(n)) a corresponding set of further data quotas (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)), the broker platform (120) being further configured to receive a data amount request DR(n,m) of a corresponding additional data quota (AD(n,m)) for a UE (110(n,m)) subscribed to a corresponding mobile communication network (105(n)), and, in response to said received data amount request (DR(n,m)), select a further data quota (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)) from the set of further data quotas (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)) corresponding to the mobile communication network (105(n)) said UE (110(n,m)) is subscribed to, and provide said additional data quota (AD(n,m)) to said UE (110(n,m)) through the mobile communication network (105(n)) said UE (110(n,m)) is subscribed to by exploiting at least a part of said selected further additional data quota (NQ(n,k), Q(n,p)).