Subscriber Differentiation via Segmented PLMN ID in Network Sharing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems cannot differentiate between real subscribers and wholesale subscribers in network sharing scenarios, leading to challenges in controlling access and service quality, especially during network congestion.

Innovation Solution

A method where a control plane node acquires and utilizes information about the mobile virtual network operator subscribed by a user equipment to differentiate between real and wholesale subscribers, allowing for differentiated control and processing, including configuring this information through various message types and nodes within the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network sharing mode (MOCN/GWCN) is used to allow multiple operators to share infrastructure, then resource utilization and service coverage are improved, but the ability to differentiate between real subscribers and wholesale subscribers is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork sharing capabilityVSAvoidsubscriber differentiation information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PLMN ID information into two distinct parts: the first part (first N bits) identifies the real operator, while the second part (second N bits) identifies the wholesale operator. This segmentation allows the network to simultaneously support network sharing while maintaining the ability to differentiate between real and wholesale subscribers for access control and service quality management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If PLMN ID information is used for network selection and service differentiation, then access control and service quality management are improved, but wholesale subscribers cannot be controlled separately from real subscribers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control capabilityVSAvoidsubscriber type control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The PLMN ID is segmented into first PLMN ID (real operator) and second PLMN ID (wholesale operator). Network nodes can independently control access based on either the first or second PLMN ID, enabling separate policy enforcement for real subscribers and wholesale subscribers while maintaining reliable access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different network nodes can apply different quality of service policies based on the segmented PLMN ID information. For example, core network nodes can apply different routing, bandwidth allocation, or priority treatments to traffic from real subscribers versus wholesale subscribers, enabling localized quality control for different subscriber types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2911427B1Method and system for differentiating subscriber
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2911427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2911427B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2911427B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention is applicable to the field of communications, and provides a method and a system for differentiating between subscribers. The method includes: acquiring, by a control plane node, information of a mobile virtual network operator subscribed by a subscriber; and differentiating, by the control plane node, between the subscribers according to the information of the mobile virtual network operator subscribed by the subscriber. In embodiments of the present invention, by acquiring information of a mobile virtual network operator subscribed by the subscriber, the subscriber and a real subscriber subscribing a network can be differentiated according to the information of the mobile virtual network operator subscribed by the subscriber, thus, when the network is congested, the real subscriber subscribing the network and a wholesale subscriber can be differentiated according to information configured by a user equipment above, thereby implementing differentiated control and processing of the two types of subscribers.