Terminal Network Error Handling via Alternative PLMN Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems lack a method to provide continuous service when a failure occurs in a first public land mobile network (PLMN), especially during network failures due to events like fires or flooding, which can disrupt essential communications such as emergency calls or corporate VPN services.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a terminal receives information about a second PLMN from a base station in the first PLMN, allowing it to access the first PLMN and display a failure notification, enabling service provision through the second PLMN until the primary network is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a terminal relies solely on its home PLMN for communication services, then network security and service quality are maintained under normal conditions, but communication services are interrupted when the home PLMN experiences failures such as fires or flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal performs preliminary actions by storing information about alternative PLMNs (including their base station identifiers and network parameters) before the home PLMN fails. When the home PLMN becomes unavailable, the terminal can immediately access the pre-stored alternative PLMN information and switch networks without delay, ensuring continuous communication services during disasters such as fires or flooding
Solution Approach 2:
The base station in the home PLMN acts as an intermediary by broadcasting alternative PLMN information to terminals. This intermediary mechanism enables terminals to obtain network switching information without directly searching for alternative networks, facilitating smooth transition from the home PLMN to alternative PLMNs when failures occur
2Reliability
If the terminal switches to an alternative PLMN during home PLMN failure, then service continuity is maintained, but the terminal cannot distinguish between normal roaming and emergency network switching
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal uses visual indicators (color changes or different display patterns) on its interface to distinguish between normal roaming status and emergency network switching status. When the terminal switches to an alternative PLMN due to home PLMN failure, the display shows distinct visual cues compared to regular roaming, allowing users to understand the current network situation and the reason for the switch
3Reliability
If the terminal searches for alternative networks when home PLMN fails, then service continuity may be achieved, but communication delay increases due to network searching and re-registration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal performs preliminary actions by pre-storing alternative PLMN information (base station identifiers, network parameters, and access credentials) before the home PLMN fails. When failure occurs, the terminal directly uses the pre-stored information to access the alternative network, eliminating the time-consuming network search and re-registration processes that would otherwise be required
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal skips the conventional network selection and registration procedures by directly accessing the alternative PLMN using pre-obtained information. This rushing through of the network switching process significantly reduces the time required to restore communication services after home PLMN failure, preventing extended service interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
One disclosure of the present specification provides a communication method, for handling a network error, performed by a terminal. The terminal can receive information relating to a second public land mobile network (PLMN) to which the terminal is subscribed from a base station in a first PLMN. The terminal can be connected to the first PLMN by means of the base station in the first PLMN on the basis of the information relating to the second PLMN. Information notifying of an error which has occurred in the second PLMN can be displayed on a display of the terminal.