PLMN Supplementary Service Mapping via HLR Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communications network operators face challenges in providing consistent PLMN specific supplementary services across different networks and regions due to discrepancies in service definitions and implementations, leading to inconsistent access for roaming subscribers.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to map PLMN specific supplementary services from a home network to a visited network using a National Destination Code, enabling the transmission of corresponding service identifiers through Mobile Application Part messages, ensuring seamless service provision to roaming subscribers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PLMN specific supplementary services are provisioned using home network service definitions, then service consistency for roaming subscribers is improved, but service delivery fails due to mismatch with visited network service identifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping table as an intermediary mechanism that translates between home network service definitions and visited network service identifiers. The Home Location Register (HLR) maintains this mapping table that correlates supplementary service identifiers from the home PLMN with corresponding service definitions in the visited PLMN, enabling seamless service delivery without direct modification of either network's service definitions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation of service identifiers by introducing a mapping relationship between home network service identifiers and visited network service identifiers. The HLR retrieves the appropriate visited network service identifier based on the home network service identifier and substitutes it in the subscriber data transmission, allowing the same service to be recognized across different networks
2Reliability
If manual updates are implemented to maintain service consistency across networks, then service reliability is improved, but network complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system where the HLR automatically retrieves, maps, and transmits the correct visited network service identifiers without requiring manual intervention. The system self-updates by automatically obtaining service definition information from the visited network and maintaining the mapping table, eliminating the need for manual configuration updates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having the HLR automatically retrieve and store visited network service definition information in advance. When a subscriber roams to a visited network, the mapping table is already prepared with the correct service identifier correlations, enabling immediate service delivery without real-time manual configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for consistent public land mobile network (PLMN) specific supplementary services across different PLMNs or different service areas/regions of a PLMN is provided. A visited PLMN in which a subscriber unit is receiving or is attempting to receive service may be identified. Home PLMN specific supplementary services provisioned for the subscriber unit may be mapped to visited PLMN specific supplementary service codes set forth in the visited PLMN. These visited PLMN specific supplementary service codes may be used to replace the home PLMN specific supplementary service codes and transmitted to the visited PLMN using outgoing Mobile Application Part messages.