UE PLMN List Segmentation for Disaster Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to effectively manage the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list during disaster scenarios, leading to service interruptions when conventional network backup measures are insufficient, such as in the case of fires or earthquakes.
Innovation Solution
A method for user equipment (UE) to determine unavailable PLMNs, identify PLMNs capable of providing disaster roaming services, and apply a separate list for PLMNs providing disaster roaming services, enabling efficient PLMN selection and service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a communication operator installs multiple wired networks and core network nodes for backup, then service availability is improved under normal conditions, but all networks connected to one node may be lost in disaster scenarios such as fire or earthquake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PLMN list management into two separate lists: a first list for normal PLMN selection and a second list for disaster roaming PLMNs. This segmentation allows the system to maintain normal network operations while preparing alternative network options for disaster scenarios, thereby improving service availability without compromising security against unauthorized networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring a second list of PLMNs that can provide disaster roaming services before a disaster occurs. The UE is pre-programmed with the capability to switch to this second list when a disaster condition is detected, enabling rapid service continuity without requiring real-time network reconfiguration or manual intervention during the disaster event.
2Ease of operation
If the UE uses a conventional single PLMN list for network selection, then the device complexity is low, but the UE cannot efficiently select networks during disaster roaming scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single PLMN list into two distinct lists: a first list for normal network selection and a second list specifically for disaster roaming. This segmentation enables the UE to efficiently select appropriate networks based on the operational context (normal or disaster) while maintaining clear separation between authorized networks and disaster roaming networks, thus improving network selection efficiency without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If the UE switches to disaster roaming PLMN during disaster condition, then service continuity is improved, but normal network operations may be affected after disaster ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic PLMN list management where the UE can switch between the first list (normal operations) and the second list (disaster roaming) based on the operational context. When a disaster condition is detected, the UE dynamically switches to using the second list for network selection. After the disaster ends, the UE dynamically switches back to the first list, ensuring that normal network operations are restored without permanent impact from the disaster roaming configuration.
4Loss of information
If the UE includes all PLMNs in a single list, then the loss of information is minimized, but the UE cannot distinguish between normal and disaster roaming PLMNs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PLMN information into two separate lists while maintaining complete PLMN information in both lists. The first list contains PLMNs for normal network selection, and the second list contains PLMNs capable of providing disaster roaming services. This segmentation allows the UE to completely retain all necessary PLMN information while simultaneously enabling precise identification and selection based on whether the current operational context is normal or disaster mode.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for managing a prohibited PLMN list during disaster roaming, and an apparatus supporting same. User Equipment (UE) determines, when there is no available public land mobile network (PLMN) other than PLMNs included in a first list, whether the PLMNs included in the first list can provide a disaster roaming service, and includes in a second list at least one PLMN that can provide the disaster roaming service, from among the PLMNs included in the first list. On the basis that a disaster condition is applied to a home PLMN (HPLMN), the UE i) performs PLMN selection for the at least one PLMN included in the second list, and ii) selects a disaster roaming PLMN from among the at least one PLMN and receives the disaster roaming service provided from the disaster roaming PLMN.