Visited Mobile Network Routing for Cross-Border Regulatory Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communication networks, especially when non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are used, it is challenging to ensure compliance with national regulations regarding lawful interception and frequency resource usage, especially when user equipment moves across country borders.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a single network identifier for different areas and employing interconnecting communication networks to dynamically switch the routing of user equipment traffic between visited and home networks, ensuring compliance with national regulations by using local terrestrial frequencies and appropriate regulatory frameworks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single network identifier is used for multiple geographical areas by a visited mobile communication network, then network coverage and user equipment connectivity are improved across different countries, but compliance with national regulations regarding lawful interception and frequency resource usage becomes difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidregulatory compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network identification and routing function by introducing area-specific identifiers (such as TAC - Tracking Area Code) that are combined with the network identifier. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a single visited network identity while internally distinguishing between different geographical areas to ensure regulatory compliance in each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary routing mechanism that acts as a mediator between the visited mobile communication network and the home communication network. This intermediary uses location information to dynamically select appropriate routing paths that comply with national regulations, thereby resolving the conflict between unified network coverage and area-specific regulatory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If user equipment moves across country borders while connected to a visited mobile communication network, then mobility and seamless communication are improved, but ensuring compliance with changing national regulations becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidregulatory compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic routing that automatically adapts as user equipment moves between different geographical areas. The system continuously monitors location information and dynamically adjusts the routing path to ensure compliance with the regulations of the current area, thereby maintaining both user mobility and regulatory compliance during cross-border movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where location information of the user equipment is continuously fed back to the routing system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically determines the appropriate routing path that complies with the regulations of the current geographical area, ensuring ongoing compliance as the user moves across different countries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If national frequency resources are used by an international or supranational visited mobile communication network, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but satisfaction of all national requirements and regulations becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidregulatory adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by associating specific routing rules and regulatory requirements with each geographical area. Even though the visited network uses national frequency resources for enhanced capacity, the system applies location-specific routing policies that adapt to the regulatory requirements of each area, thereby maintaining both network capacity and regulatory adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4507453A1Operating a user equipment in different areas with a radio access network of a mobile communication network acting as a visited mobile communication network with regard to the user equipment
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4507453A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4507453A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4507453A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a user equipment in different areas with a radio access network of a mobile communication network acting as a visited mobile communication network with regard to the user equipment, wherein the radio access network of the visited mobile communication network that is serving the user equipment uses one network identifier for the different areas, wherein the user equipment has, or is assigned to, a home communication network, and wherein furthermore, an interconnecting communication network and/or a further interconnecting communication network is able to be used between, or to interconnect, the visited mobile communication network and the home communication network, wherein, in order to operate the user equipment with the radio access network of the visited mobile communication network in different areas, the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the user equipment is operated in a specific area, wherein the interconnecting communication network is used between the visited mobile communication network and the home communication network, -- in a second step, the user equipment is operated in a further specific area, wherein either the further interconnecting communication network is used between the visited mobile communication network and the home communication network, or the home communication network directly interacts with, or is directly connected to, the visited mobile communication network.