Service Differentiation in Network Sharing via SP Identity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network sharing architectures in mobile communication systems face challenges in service differentiation and resource management, particularly when Service Providers do not have a PLMN-Id, leading to cumbersome roaming agreements and inability to segregate services at the RAN level.

Innovation Solution

A method for service differentiation in a network sharing architecture that identifies Service Providers by an SP identity without requiring a PLMN-Id, allowing the Access Provider to adapt services and allocate resources based on this identity, enabling service segregation and monitoring of SLA through mechanisms like IMSI range determination, APN values, subscription information, and policy manager policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Service Providers use PLMN-Id for identification in network sharing architecture, then service differentiation and resource allocation are enabled, but roaming agreements become cumbersome and complexity increases for providers without PLMN-Id

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice differentiationVSAvoidroaming agreement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an Access Provider as an intermediary entity that mediates between Service Providers without PLMN-Id and the core network. The Access Provider assigns temporary PLMN-Ids to these Service Providers, enabling them to access the network and receive service differentiation without requiring formal roaming agreements with every PLMN in the network, thus reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The Access Provider performs multiple functions: it acts as a gateway for Service Providers without PLMN-Id, assigns temporary PLMN-Ids, manages resource allocation, and enables service differentiation. This multi-functional approach allows a single entity to handle what would otherwise require complex multi-party roaming agreements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If Service Providers without PLMN-Id are allowed to access the network, then network sharing versatility improves, but service segregation at RAN level becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork sharing capabilityVSAvoidservice provider identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The Access Provider performs preliminary action by assigning temporary PLMN-Ids to Service Providers before they access the RAN. This pre-assignment ensures that when Service Providers connect to the RAN, the RAN already has the necessary identification information to perform service segregation and resource allocation, preventing loss of identification information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If traditional PLMN-Id based identification is used, then service allocation and monitoring are enabled, but providers without PLMN-Id cannot be properly identified or charged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsupport for providers without PLMN-Id

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the identification parameter from requiring permanent PLMN-Id to using temporarily assigned PLMN-Ids provided by the Access Provider. This parameter change allows Service Providers without traditional PLMN-Ids to be identified, allocated resources, and monitored for charging purposes, thereby improving both productivity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10425804B2Service differentiation in a network sharing architecture

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

In an embodiment, there is provided a method for service differentiation in a network sharing architecture for a mobile network wherein an Access Network AN is shared by different Service Providers SPs, said method comprising at least one step based on an identification of an SP by an SP identity that does not require this SP to own a PLMD-Id, for service differentiation in said AN.