Portability Server Analysis for Ported Mobile Operator Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to identify the mobile network operator associated with a ported mobile device subscriber number, as the IMSI is only provided for subscribers of the monitored mobile network operator, making it difficult to determine the operator when the number is ported to a different network.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that passively analyze control data during call setups, using a portability server to extract and store the mobile network operator identifier, such as MCC-MNC, for both 2G/3G and 4G/5G technologies, and display the association between the operator and subscriber number on a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the IMSI is used to identify the mobile network operator, then the identification is accurate for non-ported numbers, but the identification fails for ported numbers where the number is ported to a different operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portability server as an intermediary component that mediates between the monitoring system and the ported number database. This server receives queries about number portability status and returns information about the current operator, enabling accurate identification even when the number has been ported to a different network operator
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively querying the portability server to obtain operator identification information before monitoring operations begin. This advance retrieval of operator data ensures that the monitoring system has accurate operator information available, regardless of whether numbers have been ported
2Quantity of substance
If the IMSI is provided only for subscribers of the monitored mobile network operator, then the data availability is limited to own network subscribers, but the need arises to identify operators for all subscriber numbers including ported numbers from other operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal operator identification system that can handle multiple types of subscriber numbers from different network operators through a single monitoring interface. The system uses the portability server to provide multi-functional capability, enabling identification of operators for both own-network and external-network ported numbers through the same monitoring infrastructure
3Device complexity
If passive analysis of control data during call setups is performed, then the system complexity is reduced and energy consumption is minimized, but the challenge arises to extract accurate operator information from the control data
Solution Approach 1:
The portability server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex task of extracting and validating operator identification information from control data. By delegating this extraction function to a specialized intermediary component, the main monitoring system maintains simplicity while achieving accurate operator identification through the mediator's specialized processing capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method and system for determining a mobile network operator identifier in relation to a mobile device subscriber number and a telecommunications network event, the telecommunications network event comprising a call set-up initiated by a first mobile device having an associated first mobile device subscriber number to connect to a second mobile device having a second mobile device subscriber number, the call set-up comprising sending a request to a portability server, the portability server sending a response formatted according to a predetermined format depending on a type of cellular technology. The determination comprises analyzing the response and extracting an identifier of the mobile network operator associated to the second mobile device subscriber number, and storing, in a dedicated storing structure, an association between the mobile network operator identifier and the second mobile device subscriber number of the second mobile device.