Non-Terrestrial RAN Provisioning for Unsubscribed User Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-terrestrial cellular networks face challenges in providing services to user terminals without subscription rights, particularly in areas with limited bandwidth and power, leading to restricted access and service provision inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and network entity for identifying user terminals lacking subscription rights and restricting them to a provisioning platform, allowing interaction for service arrangement via a non-terrestrial RAN, using PLMN identifiers, location-based redirection, and DNS blocking to manage service provision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If non-terrestrial RAN provides service to user terminals without subscription rights, then service coverage and accessibility are improved, but network bandwidth and power resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidbandwidth and power resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically identifying user terminals without subscription rights and redirecting them to a provisioning platform. The network entity autonomously performs service arrangement without requiring manual intervention from network operators, thereby expanding service coverage while efficiently managing limited bandwidth and power resources through automated resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If user terminals are restricted to provisioning platform, then network resource consumption is reduced, but service access efficiency is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource consumptionVSAvoidservice access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning platform serves as an intermediary between user terminals without subscription rights and the core network. This mediator handles service arrangement and resource allocation, reducing direct resource consumption from the non-terrestrial RAN while maintaining efficient service access through automated workflows that minimize time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If service provision is automated through identification and redirection, then operational complexity is reduced, but system architecture complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provision automationVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system architecture is segmented into distinct functional components: the non-terrestrial RAN for service delivery, the network entity for identification and decision-making, and the provisioning platform for service arrangement. This segmentation automates service provision operations while organizing system complexity into manageable, specialized modules that can operate independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4639799B1Provisioning service via a non-terrestrial radio access network

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 VODAFONE GROUP SERVICES LTD

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AI summary

Service is provisioned to a user terminal registering on a cellular network via a non-terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN). It is identified that the user terminal does not have rights for service via the non-terrestrial RAN. Service provision for the user terminal is restricted to a provisioning platform, in response to the identification.