Roaming Subscriber Identity Splitting for Local IP Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile subscribers roaming in foreign countries often face limitations in accessing data services due to lack of GPRS roaming agreements, leading to high tariffs and restricted internet browsing, and may need alternative solutions for voice and SMS services using different technologies or VoIP with limited broadband coverage.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves splitting the roamer's registration between home and visited networks, using a local IMSI allocated in real-time for GPRS data services, allowing dynamic IMSI replacement and prepaid billing, enabling access to local network tariffs for IP connectivity and cheaper voice calls through VoIP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a roaming subscriber uses the home network for GPRS data services, then data connectivity is available, but high roaming tariffs are charged and no local network access is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the subscriber identity into two separate IMSIs: a home IMSI for GSM voice/SMS services and a local visited network IMSI for GPRS data services. This allows the subscriber to access data services through the local network at local tariffs while maintaining voice services through the home network, eliminating the harmful roaming tariffs for data connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gateway function as an intermediary between the roaming subscriber and the local network. This gateway allocates a local IMSI to the roaming subscriber, enabling the subscriber to be treated as a local subscriber for data services purposes, thereby accessing local network resources at local tariffs without direct financial relations with the visited network.
2Ease of operation
If a roaming subscriber uses VoIP with original MSISDN, then voice services are available, but broadband service coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates voice and data services into different registration domains: voice/SMS services are registered with the home network using the original MSISDN, while data services are registered with the local visited network using a locally allocated IMSI. This segmentation enables the subscriber to enjoy both voice services with original number and full broadband access with local network coverage.
3Ease of operation
If a roaming subscriber registers with the visited network for GPRS services, then local network access is achieved, but billing complexity increases without financial relations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service billing where the roaming subscriber purchases a local prepaid user profile directly from the local network. This eliminates the need for complex billing arrangements between home and visited networks, as the subscriber manages their own billing through the local network's prepaid system, simplifying the overall billing architecture while enabling local network access.
Data Source
AI summary
A system installed at a roaming mobile network, comprises: a signaling relay enabled to monitor, intercept and modify mobile network signaling messages between the roaming network and the home network, a controller application for the signaling relay, said controller configured to instruct the signaling relay to replace an identity of a roaming user with a local network subscriber identity, thereby to enable registration of the roaming user with the local network for receiving at least one local mobile service as a local user, the roamer retaining a pre-existing registration with a respective home mobile network for receiving at least one other roaming mobile service, wherein authentication of the mobile device with the roaming network uses authentication data of the home network registration.