Roaming Network Function Access via Home-Network Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, applications are unable to access target network functions in visited networks due to lack of information about how to reach these functions, leading to complexity and scalability issues, especially in Local BreakOut (LBO) roaming scenarios where the network functions in the visited network need to filter information for security and confidentiality reasons.
Innovation Solution
A method for enabling applications to access target network functions in visited networks by obtaining accessibility information, which includes preconfigured data, network function interactions, or dedicated requests, to provide access information, allowing direct or indirect interaction based on interaction allowance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If applications directly access target network functions in visited networks, then service accessibility and responsiveness are improved, but network security and information confidentiality deteriorate due to lack of control over information exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network function in the home network as an intermediary between the application and the target network function in the visited network. This intermediary obtains accessibility information from the visited network, translates application requests, and manages the interaction, thereby enabling application access while maintaining security control through the home network operator.
2Productivity
If comprehensive accessibility information is shared between networks, then application service quality is improved, but network complexity and information management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary accessibility information (such as network function identifiers, access parameters, and service capabilities) from the complex network environment and presents it to the application in a simplified form. The home network function manages the complexity of information translation and filtering, shielding the application from network complexity while providing sufficient service quality information.
3Stability of the object's composition
If roaming agreements allow information sharing with visited networks, then service continuity is improved, but competition concerns and information protection requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective information sharing where the home network function determines what accessibility information to obtain and share with the application based on specific roaming agreements and service requirements. Different levels of information exposure are provided to different applications or services according to the roaming partnership level, allowing service continuity while adapting to competition concerns through differentiated information sharing policies.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for enabling an application to access a target network function in a visited mobile communication network is disclosed, wherein the target network function provides a service with respect to one or more wireless devices associated with the application that have roamed from a home mobile communication network to the visited mobile communication network. A method implementation of the technique is performed by a network function of the home mobile communication network and includes obtaining accessibility information on how the target network function can be accessed in the visited mobile communication network, and providing, based on the accessibility information, access information to the application enabling the application to access the target network function.