Protecting Preferred PLMN List for Anti-Steering Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks lack effective mechanisms to actively detect and prevent anti-steering of roaming, leading to increased costs, poor user experience, and higher signaling loads for home networks, with no standardized low-cost operational solutions available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) protects a preferred Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list using security parameters and sends it to the Visited PLMN, which then transparently sends the protected list to the User Equipment (UE), allowing the UE to verify the list and perform a PLMN selection procedure based on successful verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive detection of anti-steering roaming is used, then the home network operator can identify fraudulent activities, but the operator cannot actively prevent anti-steering mechanisms and incurs higher costs with no standardized solution
Solution Approach 1:
The home network operator performs preliminary actions by protecting the preferred PLMN list with security parameters (integrity protection and/or encryption) before sending it to the visited network. This allows the UE to verify the list's authenticity and actively prevent anti-steering by rejecting unauthorized modifications, transforming passive detection into active prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces security parameters (integrity protection keys and/or encryption keys) as intermediaries between the home network operator and the UE. These parameters enable the UE to verify whether the preferred PLMN list has been tampered with, providing a standardized mechanism for active detection and prevention of anti-steering roaming
2Reliability
If a Value Added Service (VAS) product is installed for passive detection, then anti-steering frauds can be identified, but the product cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs self-service by autonomously verifying the integrity and authenticity of the preferred PLMN list using security parameters provided by the home network operator. This eliminates the need for external VAS products, reducing system complexity and operational costs while maintaining reliable fraud detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter state of the preferred PLMN list by applying integrity protection and/or encryption. This transformation enables the UE to verify the list's authenticity through parameter validation (integrity check and/or decryption), providing a cost-effective standardized solution that replaces complex VAS products
3Adaptability or versatility
If the preferred PLMN list is sent without protection, then the visited network can freely modify it causing anti-steering, but sending protected list requires standardized security mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The home network operator applies preliminary anti-action by protecting the preferred PLMN list with integrity protection and/or encryption before transmission. This prevents the visited network from freely modifying the list, as any unauthorized changes will be detected by the UE through verification failures, thereby maintaining both security and operational flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
Accordingly, embodiments herein provide a system for managing anti-steering of roaming in a wireless communication network. The system includes a HPLMN, a VPLMN and a UE. The HPLMN obtains a register request message from the VPLMN and derives at least one HPLMN specific security key based on at least one security parameter. Further, the HPLMN protects a preferred PLMN list using the at least one HPLMN specific security key and the security parameter and sends the protected preferred PLMN list to the VPLMN along with necessary security information. Further, the VPLMN is configured to receive the protected preferred PLMN list from the HPLMN and send a message including the protected preferred PLMN list to the UE. The message mandates the VPLMN to send the preferred PLMN list transparently to the UE. Further, the UE is configured to receive the message including the preferred PLMN list from the VPLMN.