SIM Applet Subscription Management for Cost Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network providers face challenges in providing continuous and high-quality connectivity, especially in emerging markets, due to bandwidth constraints and obstacles like buildings and mountains, leading to dropped calls and slow data connections, and existing solutions fail to optimize subscription usage to avoid additional fees.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a SIM card to manage multiple subscription profiles based on quota, price plan, validity, network quality, and call drop history to optimize connection costs by selecting the best available network for seamless connectivity, ensuring uniform quota usage and minimizing expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multiple subscription profiles are managed to optimize connection costs, then expense control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subscription management system segments multiple subscription profiles into distinct entities stored on the SIM card, each with separate quota, price plan, and validity parameters. This segmentation enables independent management and selection of optimal subscriptions without overwhelming complexity, as each profile is handled as a discrete unit with clear boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by having the mobile device automatically evaluate multiple subscription profiles based on pre-stored criteria (quota, price plan, validity) and autonomously select the optimal one without user intervention. The SIM card and network server work together to automatically determine the best subscription, reducing the need for manual configuration and lowering effective device complexity.
2Reliability
If dynamic subscription selection is implemented to meet service level assurance, then connectivity quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing subscription profiles, quota information, and selection criteria on the SIM card before connectivity events occur. When a connection is needed, the system already has the necessary data ready and can immediately evaluate and switch between pre-configured profiles, avoiding real-time complexity calculations and ensuring consistent service level assurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The network server provides feedback about actual usage, outstanding quota, and network conditions to the mobile device. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically adjust subscription selection based on real-time performance data, improving connectivity quality while managing complexity through automated feedback-driven decisions rather than manual configuration.
3Loss of energy
If quota-based subscription management is used to avoid additional fees, then expense control is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by creating virtual copies of subscription profiles on the SIM card, each representing a separate quota and price plan. These copied profiles allow the system to track and manage multiple sets of usage metrics independently, providing precise expense control without requiring complex real-time measurement systems, as each profile is a self-contained copy with its own quota tracker.
Data Source
AI summary
A system to control usage of a subscription in a mobile device comprising: a plurality of subscriptions of at least two or more mobile networks; a subscription profile associated with each subscription; a UICC/eUICC/USIM/SIM card capable of switching among different networks; an applet running on the said SIM card; a server which communicates with the said mobile device through a network interface; a server process which stores identity and network related data of each subscription profile; stores network territory and coverage map; stores history of network drops and subscription profile switch events; stores quota-price-validity-bandwidth attached to each subscription profile; connects to the networks providing the subscription profile periodically, to retrieve, calculate and store actual usage and outstanding quota and validity for SMS, data and minutes for each subscription profile; connects to the SIM applet to receive information from the applet about network loss and network coverage; determines and stores best network, preferred network, and available network periodically; and communicates and commands the SIM card applet to initiate selection of subscription based on available quota, validity and coverage.