PCNE Roaming Policy Negotiation and Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing policy and charging systems in cellular networks are inefficient in applying policies across multiple networks, leading to inconsistent subscriber experiences and inefficient resource utilization, particularly in roaming scenarios due to lack of joint control and transparent policy enforcement between home and visited networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for negotiating and enforcing policies across multiple networks using a Policy and Charging Negotiation and Enforcement Entity (PCNE) that normalizes policies from home, visiting, and static sources, applying real-time charging policies through Gx, Gy, and S9 interfaces, and utilizing conflict resolution techniques to ensure optimal bandwidth and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Visited Access model is used for routing user traffic directly from VPLMN to internet, then bandwidth utilization and latency are improved, but Home operator control over subscriber service quality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) as an intermediary component deployed in the Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN). This PCEF acts as a mediator that enables the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) operator to maintain control over subscriber service quality while user traffic is routed directly through the visited network. The PCEF enforces policy rules and charging parameters provided by the HPLMN, ensuring service quality control is preserved even in the Visited Access model where traffic does not route through the home network.
2Reliability
If Home-routed model is used for routing user traffic through HPLMN to internet, then Home operator control over service quality is maintained, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The PCEF deployed in the visited network serves as a local intermediary that enables the HPLMN operator to maintain policy control and service quality assurance without requiring traffic to be routed through the home network. The PCEF receives and enforces policy rules from the HPLMN's Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), allowing the operator to maintain control over quality of service parameters while traffic flows efficiently through the visited network's infrastructure, avoiding the bandwidth inefficiencies of home-routed traffic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple policy sources are involved in roaming scenarios, then policy coverage and applicability are improved, but policy conflict and inconsistency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PCEF in the visited network continuously receives policy rules from multiple sources including the HPLMN's PCRF and the VPLMN's local policy systems. The PCEF prioritizes and reconciles these policies according to predefined rules, with HPLMN policies taking precedence. This feedback loop ensures that policy conflicts are systematically resolved and that consistent policy enforcement is maintained across the roaming interface, allowing the system to handle multiple policy sources without compromising consistency.
4Device complexity
If traditional policy and charging systems are used without joint control mechanism, then system simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a PCEF intermediary deployed in the visited network that enables joint control between HPLMN and VPLMN operators without significantly increasing overall system complexity. The PCEF acts as a local policy enforcement point that receives instructions from the HPLMN's PCRF and coordinates with the VPLMN's charging systems. This intermediary enables efficient resource utilization by allowing real-time policy control and charging coordination between operators, optimizing bandwidth and resource allocation in roaming scenarios while maintaining manageable system architecture through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtualized Policy, Charging, Negotiation and Enforcement Entity (PCNE) is disclosed for serving cellular traffic across multiple networks. The PCNE manages signaling and user payloads to apply policies compliant to concerned networks in real time. The PCNE provides policy control to a Home network even when its outbound subscriber traffic is locally offloaded at a Visited network or IP Packet Exchange (IPX) cloud. The PCNE protects the Visited network against capacity overuse by inbound subscriber traffic, thereby providing joint control to the Home and Visited network operators resulting in optimal use of bandwidth and resources along with consistent subscriber experience. The PCNE enables the Home network operator to implement domestic quota buckets and policies while its subscriber is roaming in the Visited network by applying differential policy and charging rules. Traffic can be offloaded to a preferred packet data gateway after enforcing the negotiated policies.