Narrow Band SIM Verification for Wireless Network Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High bandwidth devices, such as smartphones, may inadvertently use narrow band SIMs due to their similar form factor with standard SIMs, leading to slower data speeds and unexpected high charges from narrow band network rate plans.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a verification process within wireless communication networks to ensure only certified narrow band devices with matching International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), narrow band indicator, and Type Allocation Code (TAC) combinations can access narrow band networks, preventing high bandwidth devices from using narrow band SIMs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If SIMs for narrow band devices and standard SIMs are made with similar form factor, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but device misidentification and network access errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring unique identifiers (TAC and NB-indicator) in the SIM card before it is issued to the user. These identifiers are embedded during SIM manufacturing and provisioning, allowing the network to verify device-SIM compatibility before actual network access occurs. This prevents misidentification issues before they can cause problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a verification process where the network checks the TAC and NB-indicator values against each other to confirm proper device-SIM matching. When a device attempts to access the network, the system verifies that the device type allocation code matches the narrow band indicator on the SIM card, providing immediate feedback if there is a mismatch, thereby preventing incorrect network access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high bandwidth devices are allowed to access narrow band networks, then network coverage and adaptability are improved, but user experience and service quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a verification mechanism that actively prevents high bandwidth devices from accessing narrow band networks. The system checks the TAC and NB-indicator values before allowing network access, and blocks devices that do not meet the narrow band device criteria. This preemptive measure stops incompatible devices from degrading network performance before they can cause harm.
3Productivity
If narrow band rate plans are applied to all devices using narrow band SIMs, then network resource management is improved, but unexpected high charges for users occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by verifying device-SIM compatibility before the user begins using network services. The TAC and NB-indicator verification occurs during network attachment or registration, ensuring that only appropriate devices access narrow band networks and incur narrow band rate plan charges. This prevents users from accidentally incurring high charges by using incompatible devices on narrow band networks.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and architecture are provided for preventing narrow band (NB) SIMs from being used in a non-NB devices, e.g., high bandwidth devices such as, for example, smartphones, tablets, etc. In configurations, a user device is provisioned based upon a NB international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a NB-indicator and a type allocation code (TAC) combination. An IMSI, NB-indicator and TAC mismatch helps prevent NB-SIMs from being used in a non-NB device. In configurations, when a user device attempts to access or register with a wireless communication network via a narrow band network of the wireless communication network, the wireless communication network will verify the IMSI, the NB-indicator and the NB-TAC combination for the user device in order to allow the user device to access the narrow band network of the wireless communication network.