NPN UE Roaming Control via Intermediate Network Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks struggle to maintain control over access and service provisioning when a communication device roams through intermediate networks without direct roaming partnerships, compromising security and service management.

Innovation Solution

The communication network is informed about intermediate networks in the control signaling path through which the device accesses it, enabling policy-based decisions on access and service provisioning, even when these networks lack direct partnerships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the home network limits roaming to only direct partnership networks, then security control is maintained, but coverage area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary information element (IE) that carries identification of intermediate networks through which the UE accesses the home network. This intermediary mechanism allows the home network to be informed about networks in the control signaling path without requiring direct roaming partnerships, thus expanding coverage while maintaining security through policy control based on the intermediate network information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the home network allows access via intermediate networks without direct partnerships, then coverage area is expanded, but security control is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsecurity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the home network receives information about intermediate networks through the information element in control signaling. This feedback enables the home network to make informed policy decisions about whether to permit access via specific intermediate networks, thus maintaining security control while allowing expanded coverage through networks that pass the policy check.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network gains information about intermediate networks, then policy control capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex roaming control problem into manageable parts by introducing a dedicated information element that specifically carries intermediate network identification. This segmentation allows the home network to process only the relevant intermediate network information without handling entire routing paths, thus improving policy control capability while minimizing the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12587826B2Roaming for UE of a NPN

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A first network node (20N) in a first communication network (20) transmits information to a second network node (10N) in a second communication network (10). The information indicates a third communication network (30) is in a control signaling path (15) between a communication device (2) and the second communication network (10). In some embodiments, the first network node (20N) and/or the second network node (10N) may apply one or more policies based on the information, e.g., whether to authenticate a subscription of the communication device (2) to the second communication network (10).