Terminal Device Provisioning via Limited Access Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current provisioning methods for terminal devices in mobile communication networks are inefficient, often requiring manual user intervention and lacking necessary network connectivity, especially when subscriber information is missing, leading to maloperation during roaming.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal device requests attachment to a mobile communication network, receives limited access mode approval, and then requests provisioning data from a remote network node using the subscriber identity module, allowing enhanced access mode configuration and re-attachment with necessary parameters like IMSI, facilitating automatic configuration and enhanced communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional OTA provisioning is used, then provisioning can be performed remotely, but manual user intervention is required and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs self-provisioning by automatically retrieving configuration parameters from the network before normal service activation. The device initiates attachment requests, receives provisioning data containing IMSI and other parameters, and configures itself without waiting for manual user input or external intervention, thereby eliminating provisioning delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device autonomously completes the provisioning process by automatically managing its own configuration. The device sends attachment requests, processes received provisioning data, extracts necessary parameters like IMSI, and applies configurations itself, transforming the manual OTA process into an automated self-service mechanism that eliminates user intervention.
2Reliability
If traditional provisioning is used, then configuration can be updated, but network connectivity is required which may not be available during roaming
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs provisioning operations using only the minimal network connectivity required for control plane communication. Instead of requiring full user plane connectivity for provisioning, the device successfully completes configuration updates using limited attachment modes, thereby ensuring reliable provisioning even in roaming scenarios where full network access may be restricted.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of network access by utilizing control plane connectivity without requiring user plane establishment. By modifying the provisioning process to work with limited attachment modes and extracting necessary parameters like IMSI from received data, the system adapts to roaming conditions where full network connectivity is unavailable, thereby improving both reliability and roaming compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If subscriber information is missing, then device can still attempt attachment, but maloperation occurs during roaming
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs preliminary attachment attempts even without complete subscriber information. By initiating attachment requests with available data and receiving provisioning information from the network, the device proactively obtains missing parameters like IMSI before attempting normal service operations, preventing maloperation during roaming while maintaining ease of initial attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for provisioning a terminal device to a mobile communication network. The method includes: requesting an attachment to the mobile communication network; receiving a response indicating an allowance of a limited access mode; requesting, by applying the limited access mode, a provisioning of the terminal device from a remote network node; provisioning the terminal device based on a received data over the control plane for accessing the mobile communication network in an enhanced access mode; and in response to a configuration re-requesting the attachment to the mobile communication network. Also disclosed is a terminal device, to a method performed by a network node, to the network node, and computer programs, and to a communication system.