Telecom Subscriber Metrics via Switching Point Data Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining subscriber metrics in telecommunications are plagued by significant lag times, inaccuracies, and inefficiencies, particularly due to reliance on sampling and SS7 queries, which result in incomplete and outdated data, wasting resources and introducing errors.
Innovation Solution
The system gathers data at switching points within communications networks, creating call detail records that identify active service identifiers, which are then compared to databases like LERG and LNP to determine carrier associations, allowing for real-time aggregation of subscriber metrics without the need for SS7 queries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sampling and SS7 queries are used to determine subscriber metrics, then data can be gathered, but significant lag times and inaccuracies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the necessary data gathering function from the traditional SS7 query sampling method and relocates it to network switching points where call detail records are naturally generated. This extraction eliminates the need for separate SS7 queries and provides continuous, real-time data capture without lag time, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing subscriber identification data at the moment calls are switched through the network, before any analysis or metric calculation is needed. This advance data capture at switching points ensures that when metrics are required, the data is already available immediately, eliminating lag time while maintaining high accuracy.
2Productivity
If sampling methods are used to reduce data collection overhead, then resource usage decreases, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network switching points perform self-service by automatically capturing and storing subscriber identification data as part of their normal call switching operation. This eliminates the need for separate sampling processes or SS7 queries, achieving both high productivity (no additional overhead) and high measurement precision (complete data capture) simultaneously.
3Loss of information
If SS7 queries are used to verify subscriber information, then data completeness improves, but resource consumption and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from SS7 queries and replaces it with direct extraction of subscriber identification data from call detail records at switching points. This elimination of SS7 queries removes the source of errors and resource consumption while maintaining complete and accurate subscriber information through the natural data capture process.
4Device complexity
If quarterly data collection is used to reduce processing load, then system complexity decreases, but timeliness of metrics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous data capture at network switching points wherever calls are routed, eliminating the need for periodic quarterly collection. This continuous action provides real-time metrics availability while the standardized data format and automated processing keep system complexity manageable, resolving the contradiction between complexity and timeliness.
Data Source
AI summary
Information associated with a communication is gathered at a switching point during the routing process to determine subscriber metric information associated with an active service identifier. The information relates to the originator of the communication and the target. The information is compared to a provider database to determine a carrier originally associated with the active service identifier. The information is then compared to a porting database to determine if the active service identifier was ported, and if so, to which carrier the active service identifier was ported. A determination can then be made regarding which carrier is associated with the active service identifier. The data may be aggregated for a large amount of switched communications, representing a large amount of active service identifiers for a given market. Thus, a number of subscribers for a given carrier in a given market may be determined.