Signaling Platform for Local Breakout in Roaming Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile network operators face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively supporting local breakout (LBO) to allow alternate roaming providers to offer data services to roaming subscribers, as existing systems require significant network modifications and lack efficient mechanisms for determining appropriate service providers.
Innovation Solution
A signaling platform that intercepts and analyzes mobility management messages to determine whether an alternate roaming provider is allowed to provide services, modifying or adding signaling messages to ensure compliance with network policies and regulations, thereby enabling LBO without extensive network modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network operators modify network infrastructure and configuration to support LBO, then service capability is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signaling platform as an intermediary component that sits between the core network elements (HSS, MME, SGSN, GGSN) and provides LBO support through message interception and modification. This intermediary approach enables LBO functionality without requiring extensive modifications to the existing network infrastructure, as the signaling platform handles the complexity of determining appropriate roaming providers and modifying signaling messages to enable local breakout.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive network modifications are implemented to support LBO, then service capability is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the signaling platform as a mediator that intercepts and modifies signaling messages in the existing network architecture, the patent avoids the need for expensive extensive network modifications. The platform integrates with existing elements like HSS, MME, and GGSN through standard interfaces, enabling LBO support through software-based message handling rather than hardware-based network reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling platform creates copies of signaling messages (such as Insert Subscriber Data requests and answers) and modifies these copies to include appropriate indicators for LBO functionality. This copying approach allows the system to enable LBO without altering the original message flow or requiring modifications to the core network elements, thereby reducing implementation costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system determines and allows alternate roaming providers, then service options are improved, but network control and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling platform implements a feedback mechanism where it intercepts signaling messages, determines whether alternate roaming providers are appropriate based on network policies and subscriber information, and modifies messages accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that while multiple service options are available, the home network maintains control by approving or rejecting alternate providers based on pre-configured policies, thus balancing service options with network control and security.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for supporting local breakout (LBO) are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for supporting LBO. The method occurs at a signaling platform. The method includes receiving a signaling message associated with a roaming subscriber. The method also includes determining whether a roaming provider is appropriate for performing an LBO service. The method further includes in response to determining that the roaming provider is appropriate for performing the LBO service, forwarding the signaling message to a destination, wherein the signaling message includes control information for performing the LBO service.