Permissionless Cellular Roaming via UE-RAN Smart Contracts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face service disruptions or high roaming fees when traveling outside their carrier's network coverage area due to the lack of roaming agreements, as existing systems require involvement of the user's carrier for cellular connections.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) autonomously negotiates and pays for cellular connections directly with roaming networks using blockchain technology, eliminating the need for pre-existing roaming agreements and allowing direct transactions between UE and RAN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the user connects to a network outside their carrier's coverage area without a roaming agreement, then the user can access cellular service, but the user's carrier cannot control or charge for the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smart contract on the blockchain as an intermediary between the UE and the visited network. This smart contract automatically handles authentication, authorization, and billing negotiations, enabling seamless roaming connections while maintaining control and chargeability without traditional carrier intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user's carrier establishes roaming agreements with other carriers, then the user can connect to external networks, but the user must pay high roaming fees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously negotiate and execute billing arrangements with visited networks through blockchain smart contracts. The user's device directly interacts with the visited network's smart contract to establish real-time charging terms, eliminating the need for expensive pre-negotiated roaming agreements and allowing users to pay only for actual usage at market rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the billing parameter from fixed high roaming fees to dynamic real-time charging based on actual network usage. The smart contract continuously monitors and adjusts charges based on data consumption, enabling cost-effective roaming where users pay only for what they use rather than expensive flat-rate roaming fees.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user travels to areas with no carrier towers available, then the user may find alternative networks, but existing systems prevent connection without roaming agreements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal roaming mechanism based on blockchain smart contracts that works across different network operators without requiring bilateral agreements. The standardized smart contract interface allows any UE to connect to any visited network that supports the protocol, dramatically expanding service coverage while maintaining reliable authenticated connections through automated contract execution.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radio access network ("RAN") includes a transceiver for receiving a request from user equipment ("UE") to join the RAN. The RAN also includes a processor that is configured for: responding to the UE request by sending a message directly from the RAN to the UE to offer a set of first terms for the UE to use a cellular network of the RAN; receiving a response from the UE agreeing to the set of first terms; and in response to the UE agreeing to the set of first terms, connecting the UE to use a cellular network of the RAN.