Network Subscription Selection for Roaming Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently selecting the most cost-effective network access subscription and connection type, especially when roaming, leading to higher charges due to differing tariffs for voice and data connections across various service areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine available network access subscriptions and their associated tariffs based on a mobile device's communications context, allowing the selection of a target subscription and connection type to minimize costs, such as switching from a voice call to a voice over data connection when roaming, using multiple SIMs and evaluating tariffs for voice and data connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mobile device uses traditional voice call connection in roaming service areas, then communication service is provided, but communication costs increase due to higher roaming tariffs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection between different connection types (circuit-switched voice call vs. packet-switched voice over data) based on real-time roaming status and tariff evaluation. The system automatically switches connection modes to optimize cost, transforming the static connection selection into a dynamic adaptive process that responds to changing network conditions and pricing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the connection type parameter from traditional circuit-switched voice to packet-switched voice over data when roaming conditions are detected. This parameter change enables the device to exploit different tariff structures, where data-based voice calls may be cheaper than traditional voice calls in roaming scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a mobile device automatically selects subscription based on multiple criteria, then cost optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of available subscriptions and their associated tariffs before actually establishing a communication session. By pre-assessing cost factors and connection type availability across multiple subscriptions, the device can make informed selection decisions, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations during active communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an automated subscription selection mechanism that independently evaluates multiple subscriptions, compares tariffs, and selects the optimal combination without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by automatically monitoring roaming status, evaluating cost factors, and making subscription selections based on predefined optimization criteria.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various methods for selecting a network access subscription are provided. One example method includes receiving a request to participate in a communications session, determining that at least two subscriptions for network access are available, determining tariffs for one or more connection types that are available through each subscription, 5 determining cost factors for each connection type of the at least two subscriptions based on the tariffs, and selecting a target subscription and a target connection type for use in satisfying the request based on the cost factors. Similar and related example methods and example apparatuses are also provided.