Roaming Mobile Device Service Steering via SEPP Edge Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently steering a roaming mobile device to a preferred visited public land mobile network (VPLMN) based on criteria such as cost agreements and service quality, leading to suboptimal roaming experiences and increased latency due to centralized steering logic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing intelligent steering logic within the home network's security edge protection proxy (SEPP) to reduce latency by making steering decisions at the edge, allowing for dynamic preference-based reordering of VPLMNs and service-based steering, enabling the mobile device to connect to the most suitable VPLMN based on real-time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized steering logic is used for roaming mobile devices, then security and centralized control are improved, but latency and connection establishment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the steering logic from the centralized home network core and places it at the edge of the visited network. The SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy) at the visited network edge can independently make steering decisions without waiting for centralized home network approval, thus reducing latency while maintaining security through cryptographic verification of steering messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the mobile device with a list of allowed VPLMNs (Visited Public Land Mobile Networks) and their associated steering messages before the device roams. When the device arrives at a visited network, it can immediately use the pre-configured steering message to connect to the preferred VPLMN without real-time centralized coordination, reducing connection establishment time.
2Ease of operation
If mobile devices automatically camp on the last served PLMN or first OPLMN entry, then connection establishment is simplified, but optimal roaming carrier selection based on home network preferences is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the home network provides steering preferences and VPLMN priority information to the mobile device before roaming. The device then uses this feedback information to intelligently select the optimal VPLMN rather than simply camp on the first available network, achieving both ease of operation and adaptability to home network preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The home network performs preliminary actions by pre-determining the preferred VPLMN list and associated steering messages based on roaming agreements, cost considerations, and service quality metrics. This pre-computed information is provided to the mobile device, enabling it to automatically select the optimal roaming carrier without real-time centralized control, thus maintaining both simplicity and optimality.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology is directed towards intelligently steering a roaming mobile communications device to a roaming carrier that is preferred by the mobile device's home network. When a mobile device requests to connect to a first visited network, decision logic of the home network determines whether the first visited network is the preferred visited network. If not, the home network returns a steer message (via the first visited network) to steer the mobile device to a preferred visited network. In one implementation, the steering decision is performed at the network edge by a home security edge protection proxy (H-SEPP) node coupled to a visiting SEPP (V-SEPP) node, which reduces hops and latency. What the home network considers preferred can be changed (e.g., dynamically) as desired by the home network. Also described is service-based steering that selects a different visited network based on a particular service requested by a mobile device.