Wireless Roaming Traffic Control for Low-Data IoT Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of IoT devices requiring global connectivity through roaming poses challenges for mobile network operators, leading to signaling storms, network breakdowns, and financial losses due to low-data usage devices, as existing methods to manage these devices are either ineffective or detrimental to regular network operations.

Innovation Solution

A method for traffic management in wireless networks that identifies and blocks communication between low-data usage IoT devices and their home networks by using parameters like IMSI, IMEI, MSISDN, and data consumption patterns, and prevents communication through GTP firewalls, thereby reducing signaling and network load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile network operators allow permanent roaming for IoT devices, then global connectivity is achieved, but network stability deteriorates due to signaling storms from low data usage devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal connectivityVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by monitoring multiple parameters (data consumption, network connection duration, ratio of data consumption to connection duration) and adjusting network access rights based on threshold values. When parameters indicate suspicious behavior patterns, the system changes the access state from full roaming rights to restricted or blocked access, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing global connectivity and maintaining network stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network operator's system continuously monitors traffic parameters from roaming devices and adjusts access rights based on observed behavior patterns. The system feeds back control decisions to the network elements (MME, HSS, PCRF) to dynamically manage roaming rights, preventing signaling storms while maintaining legitimate connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If network operators restrict access to roaming devices, then network stability is maintained, but device connectivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoiddevice connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment based on device characteristics and behavior patterns. Instead of uniform blocking, the system identifies specific devices exhibiting suspicious patterns (low data consumption combined with long connection duration) and applies restricted access only to those devices, while maintaining full connectivity for legitimate roaming devices. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between network stability and device connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing restriction methods are used to block roaming devices, then access is reduced, but signaling storms worsen due to ineffective blocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidsignaling storms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively identifying devices with suspicious behavior patterns before they can cause significant signaling storms. The system monitors parameters continuously and takes preventive blocking action when threshold violations occur, rather than reacting after storms have begun. This preliminary identification and action prevents the harmful effect of signaling storms while maintaining effective access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4120726B1Method for traffic management in a wireless network system
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4120726B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120726B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4120726B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for traffic management in a wireless network system, the method comprising: identifying a mobile device that is outside its home network and accepted into the wireless network system based on at least one predetermined parameter; and reducing the data transfer rate allowed for the identifyed mobile device and/or preventing the communication between the identifyed mobile device and the home network of the mobile device.