Remote SIM Provisioning for Scheduled Foreign Network Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) architectures limit users to selecting services from local networks, require initial network connectivity for profile download, and lack the ability to activate subscriptions at a future time, making international travel less connected and inefficient due to high roaming costs and inconvenient subscription processes.
Innovation Solution
Advanced Remote SIM Provisioning (ARSP) systems enable the management of Protected Profiles for short-term service requests, allowing users to pre-purchase and schedule mobile data services for eSIM devices, which can be activated at a future time or location, using SM-DP++ technology to efficiently allocate and manage profiles across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If users subscribe to local connectivity services through traditional RSP architecture, then service provisioning is simplified, but international travelers incur high roaming costs and cannot access visited networks efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by allowing users to pre-select and pre-purchase connectivity services from visited networks before traveling. The SM-DP++ server stores multiple profile packages corresponding to different visited networks, and users can download and activate the appropriate profile package before arrival, thereby avoiding expensive roaming charges and ensuring immediate access to local networks.
2Reliability
If RSP requires initial network connectivity for profile download, then security is maintained, but users cannot provision services before arriving at the destination network
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary profile package downloads to the user device before the user arrives at the visited network. The SM-DP++ server securely stores multiple profile packages and allows users to download them in advance using any available connectivity (including Wi-Fi). The profiles remain inactive until the user explicitly activates them upon arrival, thus maintaining security while enabling advance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages profile packages by allowing users to download, store, and activate different profiles at different times. The SM-DP++ server maintains a repository of profile packages that can be selectively downloaded and activated based on the user's travel itinerary and network availability, providing flexible timing for service activation.
3Device complexity
If traditional RSP allows only local network service selection, then architecture complexity is reduced, but users cannot pre-purchase and schedule services for future travel
Solution Approach 1:
The SM-DP++ server is enhanced to provide multi-functionality by storing and managing multiple profile packages corresponding to different visited networks and service types. It can selectively provide different profile packages based on the user's requests and travel plans, thereby enabling pre-purchase and scheduling of services without significantly increasing overall architecture complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The SM-DP++ server acts as an intermediary between the user device and multiple mobile networks. It maintains a repository of profile packages from different networks and selectively provides the appropriate profile package to the user based on their travel itinerary and service requirements, simplifying the interaction between users and multiple network operators.
4Reliability
If users must physically visit retail locations for SIM provisioning, then security and verification are ensured, but convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing users to independently select, pre-purchase, and download profile packages from visited networks through the SM-DP++ server. Users can manage their own connectivity provisioning by selecting appropriate profiles based on their travel plans and activating them when needed, eliminating the need to visit retail locations while maintaining security through authenticated access to the SM-DP++ server.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for augmenting the services of SM-DP and SM-DP+ based mobile network systems. These systems and methods enable securing, in advance of arrival at the mobile network system, connectivity services (e.g., limited, short or one-time) or long-term subscription for eSIM/iSIM capable devices/machines. Such connectivity services may be purchased or booked in advance from a local or foreign network operator with service to be activated immediately or at a point in the future. For example, a traveler to a foreign country can pre-purchase (at the travel booking stage) mobile connectivity for use during upcoming travel to a foreign network. The corresponding service can be activated at the time/date of arrival for the selected period.