Service-Slice PLMN Selection for Roaming Subscribers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Roaming subscribers face difficulties in identifying and selecting networks that provide their required services due to the tedious process of verifying available services in visited networks, often requiring trial-and-error switching between public land mobile networks (PLMNs).
Innovation Solution
A method and system that provides Steering of Roaming (SoR) information to user equipment (UE) by registering the UE in a visited PLMN through an access and mobility management function (AMF) device, requesting subscription data from a unified data management (UDM) server, and obtaining SoR information from an application function (AF) device based on single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If roaming subscribers manually verify available services by switching between PLMNs, then they can identify networks providing required services, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The network side (AMF/AF) performs preliminary actions by proactively determining and providing SoR information to the UE before the subscriber needs to manually verify services. The system identifies suitable PLMNs and their supported S-NSSAIs in advance, eliminating the need for trial-and-error switching by the end user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the AMF and AF devices act as mediators between the UE and multiple PLMNs. Instead of the UE directly testing each PLMN, the intermediary network functions query PLMN service capabilities and relay this information to the UE through SoR, streamlining the service verification process.
2Loss of information
If the system provides detailed service information for multiple PLMNs, then subscribers can make informed network selections, but the information complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service information by organizing it according to individual S-NSSAI types. Each S-NSSAI represents a specific network slice/service category, and the SoR information provides PLMN recommendations segmented by these service types. This allows the UE to process information in manageable segments rather than receiving a single complex undifferentiated data structure.
3Ease of operation
If the UE autonomously selects PLMNs without SoR guidance, then the selection process is simple, but the UE may not select networks providing required services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hybrid approach where the UE maintains autonomy in the final selection decision (self-service) but is guided by reliable SoR information provided by the network. The UE independently evaluates the SoR recommendations based on its own service requirements and subscription data, making the final choice without manual trial-and-error while ensuring service requirements can be met.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The present disclosure relates to a method and system for steering of roaming (SoR) information based on required services for roaming subscribers. The method includes registering the UE in a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN) by an access and mobility management function (AMF) device. The method comprises requesting a unified data management (UDM) server of a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) to provide subscription data. The method further comprises requesting by the UDM server SoR information from an application function (AF) device, wherein the request includes information related to single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) either requested or subscribed by the UE. The method comprises the steps of determining the SoR information to be provided to the UDM server and transmitting the SoR information to the UE. The subscribers can use the SoR information for latching onto a VPLMN that provides the service they are interested in.