Subscriber Identity Broker for Roaming Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing subscriber identities in communication networks, particularly for users roaming between multiple networks, are inefficient and costly, leading to high roaming charges and cumbersome user interactions, as they require multiple SIM cards and complex management of IMSIs, often resulting in poor user experience and inadequate billing and law enforcement tracking.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically provisioning a subscriber network identifier, such as an IMSI, from a central server based on the device's location, allowing seamless switching between network identifiers without losing the primary customer identity, thereby eliminating roaming charges and simplifying billing and identity management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SIM cards are used for roaming between networks, then network connectivity is maintained across different operators, but device complexity and user management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network identities (IMSI, MSISDN, MAC address, IP address) into a single unified subscriber profile managed by the broker server. Instead of requiring multiple SIM cards, the system merges all network identifiers associated with a subscriber into one centralized record, allowing the device to maintain connectivity across multiple networks through a single SIM while the broker manages identity switching in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The broker server acts as an intermediary between the subscriber's device and multiple visited networks. It mediates the authentication and identification processes by interceptoring location update messages, determining the appropriate network identifier to use based on current location, and communicating with the visited network's HLR/VLR. This intermediary eliminates the need for the device itself to manage multiple SIMs or complex roaming logic.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional roaming mechanisms are used, then connectivity is provided in visited networks, but billing tracking and law enforcement monitoring become complex across multiple identities
Solution Approach 1:
The unified subscriber profile in the broker server serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks billing information, maintains law enforcement monitoring data, manages network authentication credentials, and records location history. This single universal record replaces the need for separate tracking systems for each network identity, ensuring that billing and monitoring information is consistently maintained regardless of which network identifier is currently active.
3Ease of operation
If manual SIM swapping is required for roaming, then local network access is achieved, but user interaction time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated self-service roaming where the broker server automatically detects when a subscriber enters a visited network through location update messages, determines the appropriate network identifier to use, and switches identities without any user intervention. The device simply needs to send routine location updates, and the broker handles the complex roaming logic, credential switching, and network registration automatically in the background.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network identifiers are managed manually, then roaming connectivity is maintained, but billing efficiency and administrative overhead decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex roaming management functionality from individual network operators and consolidates it into a centralized broker server. This extracted broker service handles all identity management, location tracking, and billing aggregation for roaming subscribers across multiple networks. Network operators no longer need to individually manage roaming identities; instead, they interact with the broker which provides unified billing and tracking, significantly improving administrative efficiency and reducing overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
There present invention relates to a method for managing the automatic provision of a subscriber network identifier from a central network server to a subscribed communication device, the method comprising receiving notification at the central server relating to a change in the current location for the subscribed device, and determining from the notification whether a new subscriber network identifier is to be provisioned from the central server. The method further comprises selecting a subscriber network identifier on the basis of the current location, if the determining step has determined that a new subscriber network identifier is to be provisioned, and outputting the selected subscriber network identifier for transmission to the subscribed device. The present invention also relates to managing the automatic connection of a subscribed communication device to a network, where a preferred network and preferred subscriber network identifier may be used.