Network Device for Dynamic Asset Operator Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, such as LTE, face challenges in providing seamless and cost-effective network access to subscribers as they move across geographic regions or attend different events, due to limitations in dynamic asset allocation and the need for seamless transitions between different network operators, which often result in degraded service quality and additional roaming fees.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of asset operators that lease or provide access to network infrastructure and wireless spectrum, enabling dynamic subscriptions and ad-hoc MVNO operations, allowing subscribers to switch between operators based on cost, availability, and quality of service without changing SIMs, and facilitating network access through shared radio resources and core network connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional roaming agreements are used for network access, then subscribers can access networks in different geographic regions, but service quality degrades and additional roaming fees are charged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidroaming fees
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The network device is configured to support multiple approved operators (including MVNOs) simultaneously, allowing a single network infrastructure to serve multiple operators and their subscribers without requiring traditional roaming agreements. This multi-functionality enables subscribers to access services across different operator networks with home network service quality and without roaming fees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If network operators deploy their own infrastructure, then they can provide network access to subscribers, but infrastructure deployment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork accessVSAvoidinfrastructure deployment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple operators and MVNOs share common network infrastructure assets through the network device, which is configured to handle traffic for multiple approved operators. This consolidation allows operators to reduce individual infrastructure deployment costs while maintaining reliable network access for their subscribers through shared resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic asset allocation is implemented, then network access flexibility improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device acts as an intermediary between multiple operators/MVNOs and their subscribers, configured to identify subscribers of approved operators and provide appropriate network access. This intermediary approach enables dynamic asset allocation and flexible network access while managing system complexity through a centralized configuration that handles multiple operator relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3414950B1Techniques for providing network access
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3414950B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3414950B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3414950B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure describes various techniques to provide network access to a user equipment by using network infrastructure and/or wireless spectrum from an asset operator. In an aspect, a network device associated with the asset operator may receive a request for wireless wide area network (WWAN) access for a UE. The network device may identify the UE as a subscriber of an operator based at least in part on the request, where the operator is different from the asset operator, and where the network device is configured to provide WWAN access to subscribers of the operator via a core network associated with the operator based at least in part on a services agreement between the operator and the asset operator. The network device may then provide WWAN access to the UE in response to identifying that the UE is a subscriber of the operator.