Per-UE Subscription Controls for Wireless Services in Non-Allowed Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

The details regarding which services are allowed or not in a 'Non-Allowed Area' within 3GPP wireless communication standards, particularly for services like SMS and Location Service, are unclear, and the use of 'Exception Reporting/Data' in such areas is also ambiguous.

Innovation Solution

Introduce control parameters in subscription data for services like SMS, Location Service, and Exception data reporting, allowing specific services to be used in non-allowed areas based on subscription data and operator policy, with support from network nodes like AMF and UDM.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If service area restriction is implemented in 3GPP standards, then network control and policy enforcement are improved, but clarity and definitiveness of service permissions in non-allowed areas deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork controlVSAvoidclarity of service permissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces new parameters (service restriction indicators and service permission indicators) in subscription data to precisely control service access. These parameters change the state of service restriction from ambiguous to clearly defined, allowing the network to reliably enforce policies while providing explicit information about which services are permitted or restricted in non-allowed areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If exception reporting and data services are allowed in non-allowed areas, then service versatility is improved, but complexity of service management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice usage flexibilityVSAvoidservice management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments service management by introducing specific indicators for different service types (exception reporting, data services, SMS, location services). Each service type can be independently controlled through dedicated bits in the service permission indicator, allowing versatile service configurations without managing complex global rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different service permissions in different geographic areas through the service area restriction information. Each non-allowed area can have customized service permissions defined in subscription data, enabling localized service policies while maintaining clear management through area-specific indicators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If per-UE level control is implemented for service restrictions, then service precision is improved, but information storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice control precisionVSAvoidsubscription data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses efficient parameter encoding with indicator bits in subscription data to achieve per-UE service control. Instead of storing extensive service definitions, it uses compact binary indicators (service restriction indicator bit, service permission indicator bits) that provide precise control while minimizing data storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4150937B1Subscription based service restriction
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4150937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4150937B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4150937B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, system and apparatus for subscription based service restriction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network node is configured to determine that a wireless device (WD) is service area restricted when the WD is in an area defined as a non-allowed area according to subscription data associated with the WD; and provide support for the WD for at least one service that is service area restricted in the non-allowed area based at least in part on at least one of the subscription data associated with the WD and an operator policy. In one embodiment, a wireless device (WD) is configured to operate in the non-allowed area using at least one service that is service area restricted in the non-allowed area based at least in part on at least one of the subscription data associated with the WD and an operator policy.