PCRF Roaming Policy Enforcement via Mediator Role Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current standardization has not provided a solution for how subscription-based quota limits in the Subscription Profile Repository can be obtained and controlled by the Online Charging System, especially when a user is roaming and connected via another network, requiring cooperation between home and visited network PCRF and PCEF functions to enforce coherent policy rules.
Innovation Solution
A first PCRF in a visited network determines its role based on roaming agreements, negotiating with the home network PCRF to enforce a coherent rule set, either taking the V-PCRF role, negotiating temporary roaming, or enforcing limited access if no agreement exists, ensuring consistent policy enforcement across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user roams in a visited network, then the user can access services in the visited network, but consistent policy enforcement and quota control become difficult without coordination between home and visited network PCRFs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism between the visited network PCRF and home network PCRF. The visited PCRF acts as a mediator that receives policy requests from the visited network, determines its role based on roaming agreements, and coordinates with the home PCRF to enforce consistent policies. This intermediary coordination ensures that quota control and policy enforcement remain reliable even when the user is roaming, by establishing a communication bridge between the two network PCRFs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic role determination for the visited PCRF based on roaming agreements. The visited PCRF can dynamically switch between different roles (such as V-PCRF, limited V-PCRF, or H-PCRF) depending on the presence and status of roaming agreements with the home network. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain flexible roaming service access while ensuring appropriate policy enforcement consistency based on the current roaming relationship status.
2Ease of operation
If the visited PCRF independently enforces local policies, then service access is simplified, but subscription-specific quota limits from the home network cannot be properly enforced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the policy enforcement function into two parts: the visited PCRF handles service access control and local policy enforcement, while the home PCRF maintains subscription-specific quota limits and policy rules. This segmentation allows the visited PCRF to operate independently for ease of service access, while the home PCRF ensures precise quota control accuracy by maintaining and enforcing the subscription-specific limits. The two segmented functions coordinate through the roaming agreement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing the visited PCRF to enforce local visited network policies at the visited network level, while simultaneously ensuring that home network subscription-specific quota limits are respected. Different parts of the policy enforcement system have different qualities: the visited PCRF provides local service access control, while the home PCRF provides precise subscription-based quota control. This local quality differentiation enables both ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If roaming agreements are required for policy coordination, then policy enforcement consistency is improved, but the complexity of managing roaming agreements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the roaming agreement mechanism universal by designing it to handle multiple functions: service access authorization, policy coordination, and quota control enforcement. The same roaming agreement framework that enables service access also facilitates policy coordination and ensures enforcement consistency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the visited PCRF to autonomously determine its role and initiate coordination with the home PCRF based on the presence of roaming agreements. The system automatically checks for roaming agreements, determines the appropriate enforcement mode, and coordinates policy enforcement without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach simplifies roaming agreement management while maintaining policy enforcement consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Means and methodology for a Policy and Charging Rule Function, in a network visited by a roaming terminal, to determine its role and mode of operation in concurrence with a Policy and Charging Rule Function in the home network of that terminal. The role is determined base on the fact the terminal is roaming, a roaming agreement exists between both networks or can be established and visitor network's operator rules. Determining mode of operation comprises negotiation and possible rule transfer between visited network and home network Policy and Charging Rule Functions.