Single-UICC Private PLMN Priority for Seamless Network Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Challenges exist in seamlessly switching between private and public cellular networks without the need for multiple SIM cards, particularly in prioritizing attachment to a private cellular network when available, and ensuring intelligent handover and reselection of networks.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with a single UICC environment prioritizes attachment to a private home public land mobile network (PHPLMN) by scanning for available air interfaces, attaching to the RAN when available, and switching to a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) if the PHPLMN is not available, using OTA updates to provide PHPLMN and HPLMN identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple SIM cards are used to support both private and public cellular networks, then network coverage and reliability are improved, but device complexity and user convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidmultiple SIM cards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple network identifiers (PHPLMN and HPLMN) into a single UICC environment, allowing the device to access both private and public cellular networks through one SIM card. This merging eliminates the need for multiple physical SIM cards while maintaining comprehensive network coverage and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single UICC environment is designed to perform multiple functions by storing and managing identifiers for both private home PLMN and home PLMN. This multi-functional design allows the device to seamlessly switch between private and public networks, providing universal network access without requiring separate SIM cards for each network type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single UICC environment is used to support both private and public networks, then device simplicity is improved, but network selection intelligence and attachment priority management become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle UICC environmentVSAvoidnetwork selection intelligence

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary scanning to detect available air interfaces and identifies PHPLMN identifiers before attempting attachment. This advance detection and prioritization logic is built into the single UICC environment, enabling intelligent network selection without adding physical complexity to the device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250358763A1Private home PLMN in uicc

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device that includes a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) identifier and a private home public land mobile network (PHPLMN) identifier. The mobile device prioritizes attaching to a radio access network (RAN) of the PHPLMN. The PHLMN and PHPLMN identifiers may be provided as part of an over-the-air (OTA) update. Other embodiments are disclosed.