PLMN Roaming Indicator Bypasses Forbidden List Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network sharing techniques for mobile networks are inefficient due to significant additional signaling required for ad-hoc acceptance of subscribers from different PLMNs, especially in time-limited scenarios, leading to suboptimal energy consumption and connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A method where a radio access node of a PLMN broadcasts an indicator allowing connectivity to subscribers from other PLMNs, even if they have a forbidden PLMN list, enabling temporary and flexible network sharing by ignoring the forbidden list and using an Interworking Function for registration and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing network sharing techniques are used to allow one PLMN to accept subscribers from a different PLMN on an ad hoc basis, then connectivity service is provided to roaming subscribers, but significant additional signaling is required leading to suboptimal energy consumption and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The home PLMN pre-configures the visited PLMN's radio access node with subscriber data and authorization information before the subscriber actually roams. This preliminary provisioning eliminates the need for extensive signaling during the actual roaming process, as the visited node can directly accept and serve the subscriber without extensive back-and-forth authentication requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the home PLMN's network entity prepares and sends authorization data to the visited PLMN in advance. This intermediary action mediates between the home and visited networks, allowing the visited network to independently make acceptance decisions without continuous real-time signaling with the home network during service delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing network sharing techniques are used for ad-hoc acceptance of subscribers, then roaming connectivity is enabled, but the process is inefficient due to significant additional signaling required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration where the home PLMN sends subscriber profiles and service authorization data to the visited PLMN before roaming occurs. This advance preparation enables the visited radio access node to immediately accept and serve roaming subscribers without initiating lengthy authentication signaling sequences, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining flexible ad-hoc roaming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The visited PLMN's radio access node is empowered to independently accept and serve subscribers from other PLMNs based on pre-received authorization data, without requiring continuous real-time signaling with the home PLMN. This self-service capability at the visited node eliminates redundant signaling loops and improves productivity while maintaining the ability to handle diverse roaming scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional roaming mechanisms based on national agreements are used, then subscribers can access foreign PLMNs, but complex agreements and extensive coordination are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration where the home PLMN's network entity sends subscriber data and service authorization to the visited PLMN's radio access node before roaming occurs. This advance provisioning simplifies the roaming process by eliminating the need for complex real-time coordination and multiple network agreements, as the visited node has all necessary information pre-loaded to independently serve the roaming subscriber.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the complex coordination and authorization verification process from the real-time roaming interaction and moves it to a preliminary configuration phase. By taking out the signaling complexity from the active roaming process and resolving it in advance through pre-sent subscriber data, the system enables simplified direct acceptance at the visited radio access node without requiring complex ongoing coordination between networks.
4Reliability
If radio access nodes continuously check forbidden PLMN lists for subscriber authentication, then network security is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to frequent signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The home PLMN's network entity performs preliminary authentication and authorization, sending confirmed subscriber data and service rights to the visited PLMN before the subscriber actually connects. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the visited radio access node to continuously check forbidden PLMN lists or engage in frequent authentication signaling, as the subscriber's authorization status is already determined and communicated in advance, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining security.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing roaming radio access at a first Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN. An indicator is broadcast from a radio access node of the first PLMN, the indicator indicating that the access node will provide connectivity service to subscribers of a second, different PLMN, despite the subscribers of the second PLMN having a forbidden PLMN list that includes the first PLMN.