JP2018026614A - Control method of mobile communication system, mobile communication system, and proxy server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost roaming service in a situation in which a mobile virtual network operator manages a subscriber information database.SOLUTION: A control method of a mobile communication system includes the steps of: receiving, by an HSS 31, a position registration request including a SIM 29 issued by a communication carrier B and from an MS 20 in a service area of a communication carrier A; requesting, by the HSS 31 receiving the position registration request, an HSS 25 of the communication carrier B to authenticate the SIM 29; and establishing a bearer from the MS 20 to a P-GW 32 if the SIM 29 is authenticated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to roaming in a mobile communication network.

  In mobile communication systems, roaming services such as so-called overseas roaming are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for switching between a regular subscriber identification ID of a subscriber operator and a rental ID of another operator in a mobile device in order to realize a low-cost and efficient roaming service. ing.

JP 2006-345343 A

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a situation in which MVONO (virtual mobile communication carrier) manages HSS (subscriber information database) was not supposed in the first place.
On the other hand, the present invention provides a technique for providing a low-cost roaming service in a situation where a virtual mobile carrier manages a subscriber information database.

  One aspect of the present invention is a base station (eNB) and mobility control node (MME) that are managed by a first communication carrier and provide wireless access to mobile communication terminals located in a service area, a virtual mobile communication carrier Managed by a first subscriber information database (HHS) connected to the mobility control node, a visited packet gateway (S-GW) connected to the mobility control node, and a second communication carrier, The packet network gateway (P-GW) connected to the in-zone packet gateway (S-GW) in the same area as the first subscriber information database and serving as a connection point with an external network, and the second communication carrier A method for controlling a mobile communication system having a second subscriber information database to be managed, comprising: A roaming request from a mobile communication terminal located in the service area is included in the first subscriber information, including a subscriber identification module (SIM) in which a unique identification number issued by the second communication carrier is recorded. Receiving the database (HSS); requesting the authentication of the identification number to the second subscriber information database by the first subscriber information database (HSS) receiving the roaming request; And providing a communication path from the mobile communication terminal to the packet network gateway when the identification number is authenticated in a second subscriber information database.

  In this mobile communication system control method, when the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database, the first subscriber information database designates the first packet network gateway to the mobile communication terminal. The method may include a step of transmitting information and a step of requesting the first packet network gateway specified by the information to establish a communication path when the mobile communication terminal receives the information.

  In this mobile communication system control method, when the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database, the mobile communication terminal communicates with a second packet network gateway managed by the second communication carrier. When requesting establishment of a route and receiving a request for establishment of a communication route from the mobile communication terminal to the second packet network gateway, the serving packet gateway sets the request destination of establishment of the communication route as the first destination. Changing to a packet network gateway.

  The first communication carrier may be a carrier in a first country, and the second carrier may be a carrier in a second country different from the first country.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a base station (eNB) and a mobility control node (MME) that are managed by a first communication carrier and provide wireless access to mobile communication terminals located in a service area, a virtual mobile communication business Managed by a user and connected to the mobility control node by a first subscriber information database (HHS), a visited packet gateway (S-GW) connected to the mobility control node, and the virtual mobile carrier A packet network gateway (P-GW) that is connected to the in-zone packet gateway (S-GW) in the same area as the first subscriber information database and serves as a connection point with an external network, The first subscriber information database (HSS) is a unique identification number issued by the second carrier. A receiver for receiving a roaming request from a mobile communication terminal located in the service area, and a second subscriber information managed by the second telecommunications carrier. When the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database and a request unit that requests the database to authenticate the identification number, a communication path (IP-CAN session) from the mobile communication terminal to the packet network gateway A mobile communication system having a processing unit for performing a process for establishing a.

  Still another embodiment of the present invention includes a subscriber communication module (SIM) in which a unique identification number issued by a second communication carrier is recorded, and mobile communication located in the service area of the first communication carrier. A receiving unit that receives a roaming request from a terminal; a request unit that requests authentication of the identification number with respect to a second subscriber information database managed by the second communication carrier; and the second subscriber information database In the same area as the first subscriber information database managed by the second communication carrier from the mobile communication terminal and managed by the first communication carrier when the identification number is authenticated in FIG. And establish a communication path (IP-CAN session) to the packet network gateway that is connected to the external network. Providing a proxy server having a processing unit for performing processing for.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low-cost roaming service in a situation where a virtual mobile carrier manages a subscriber information database.

The figure which illustrates the network structure of the mobile communication system which concerns on related technology. Sequence chart showing the mechanism of international roaming related technology. A state where a bearer is established from MS 20 to P-GW 23. The figure which illustrates the network structure of the mobile communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which illustrates the function structure of HSS31. The figure which illustrates the hardware constitutions of HSS31. The sequence chart which shows the mechanism of the international roaming which concerns on the operation example 1. FIG. The sequence chart which shows the mechanism of the international roaming which concerns on the operation example 2. FIG. A state in which a bearer is established from the MS 20 to the P-GW 32.

1. Description of Related Technology FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a mobile communication system according to related technology. The mobile communication system includes a mobile communication network 1 and a mobile communication network 2. The mobile communication network 1 is a system for providing a mobile communication service in country X, and is managed by the operator A. The mobile communication network 2 is a system for providing a mobile communication service in a country Y different from the country X, and is managed by the operator B. The mobile communication network 1 and the mobile communication network 2 are provided in different countries, and are connected via the international roaming network 80. The “connection” here includes an example in which two nodes are indirectly connected via another intermediate node in addition to an example in which two nodes are directly connected.

  Now, a user of MS (Mobile Station, an example of a mobile communication terminal) 10 into which a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) 29 issued by a B operator in Y country is inserted travels to X country. Consider an example in which the MS 20 is used in the service area of the operator A. When viewed from the mobile communication network 1, the terminal into which another operator's SIM has been inserted is in a state of roaming in. The operator A and the operator B have an international roaming contract, and the user can use the mobile communication terminal and SIM used in the Y country as they are in the X country.

  Prior to explaining the mechanism of international roaming, an outline of the configuration of a mobile communication network will be described. The mobile communication network 1 includes an eNB (evolved Node B) 11, an S-GW (Serving Gateway) 12, a P-GW (Packet data network Gateway) 13, an MME (Mobility Management Entity) 14, and an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 15. Have The eNB 11 is an example of a radio base station, and is a node that relays communication between the MS 20 and the core network. The S-GW 12 is an example of a visited packet gateway, and is a node that transmits user data. The P-GW 13 is an example of a packet network gateway, and is a node serving as a connection point to a packet network (external network 90 in FIG. 1) outside the core network (not shown) of the mobile communication network 1. The external network 90 is, for example, the Internet. The MME 14 is a node that provides mobility control (mobility control node). The HSS 15 is an example of a subscriber information database, and manages authentication information and location information (location information).

  The mobile communication network 2 includes an eNB 21, an S-GW 22, a P-GW 23, an MME 24, and an HSS 25. These functions are the same as those of the eNB 11, the S-GW 12, the P-GW 13, the MME 14, and the HSS 15. The mobile communication network 1 and the mobile communication network 2 are connected via an international roaming network 80. The HSS 15 and the HSS 25 are connected by a dedicated line between two operators. This dedicated line may be, for example, the Internet VPN (Virtual Private Network) or NNI (Network Node Interface) connection. The mobile communication network 1 and the mobile communication network 2 also have nodes other than those shown in the figure, such as a charging node, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing a mechanism of international roaming according to related technology. The process of FIG. 2 is started when the power of the MS 20 is turned on, for example. The MS 20 outputs an attach request. The attach request includes, for example, identification information recorded in the SIM 29 and an APN (Access Point Name). This identification information is, for example, IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), and includes MCC (Mobile Country code), MNC (Mobile Network code), and MSIN (Mobile Subscriber Identification Number). The MCC is a code that identifies a country. The MNC is a code for identifying a communication carrier. The MSIN is a unique code for identifying the user and is assigned by the communication carrier. APN is an identifier that specifies a connection destination in data communication, and is described in a domain name format such as “abc.bb.yy”, for example. The APN is stored in advance in the MS 20. This attach request is transmitted from the MS 20 to the MME 14 via the eNB 11 (step S101). When receiving the attach request, the MME 14 transmits a location registration request to the HSS 15 (step S102). This location registration request includes location information of the MS 20 and identification information of the SIM 29. The location information of the MS 20 is obtained based on the eNB 11 that relayed the attach request. In this example, since the MS 20 is a terminal that has roamed into the mobile communication network 1, it can be said that both the attach request and the location registration request are roaming requests for roaming.

  When receiving the location registration request, the HSS 15 determines whether the SIM inserted in the mobile communication terminal that is the transmission source of the location registration request is a home SIM or a visitor SIM. The home SIM is a SIM issued by a business operator that manages the MME 14 (business operator A in this example). The visitor's SIM is a SIM issued by an operator other than the operator managing the MME 14. The home or visitor is determined using identification information (specifically, MCC and MNC) recorded in the SIM. If it is determined that the home SIM, the HSS 15 refers to the subscriber information database stored in itself, and whether the identification information belongs to a valid user (the contract with the user is valid). Or) Authenticate. Since this example relates to roaming, the description of the subsequent processing is omitted. If it is determined to be a visitor's SIM, the HSS 15 sends an authentication request to the HSS (in this example, the HSS 25) of the operator (in this example, the operator B) specified by the identification information recorded in the SIM 29. (Step S103). This authentication request includes identification information recorded in the SIM 29.

  When receiving the authentication request, the HSS 25 refers to the subscriber information database stored in itself and authenticates whether the identification information included in the authentication request belongs to a valid user (step S104). The HSS 25 transmits an authentication response including the authentication result to the HSS 15 that is the transmission source of the authentication request (step S105). The HSS 15 transmits this authentication response to the MME 14 (step S106). The MME 14 transmits this authentication response to the MS 20 (step S107).

When the authentication result included in the authentication response indicates that the user of the SIM 29 has been authenticated, the MS 20 requests the P-GW 23 to set a bearer (an example of a communication path) (step S108). This process is performed in detail as follows, for example. The MS 20 transmits a bearer setting request to the connection destination specified by the APN. When the bearer setting request is received from the MS 20, the S-GW 12 performs name resolution by a DNS (Domain Name System) server (not shown) and specifies the IP address of the bearer setting destination. In this example, the P-GW 23 is specified as the bearer setting destination. The S-GW 12 specifies the specified destination (P-GW
A bearer setting request is transmitted to 23).

  When receiving the bearer setting request, the P-GW 23 assigns an IP address to the requesting MS 20 (step S109). When the IP address is assigned, the P-GW 23 transmits a bearer setting response. The bearer setting response is transmitted to the MS 20 via the S-GW 13 (step S110). When MS 20 receives the bearer setting response, a bearer (session by so-called IP-CAN (IP connectivity access network)) from MS 20 to P-GW 23 is established. When the bearer up to the P-GW 23 is established, the MS 20 can access the external network 90 via the P-GW 23.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which bearers are established from the MS 20 to the P-GW 23. This bearer includes an international roaming network 80 on the way. The international roaming network 80 relays communication between the mobile communication network 1 and the mobile communication network 2. However, for example, a metered cost is incurred for relaying communication. This cost is charged to the user of the MS 20 as a so-called international roaming fee. In general, the international roaming fee is high, which places a heavy burden on the user. This embodiment addresses this problem.

2. Configuration FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, an HSS 31 and a P-GW 32 are connected to the mobile communication network 1. The HSS 31 and the P-GW 32 are nodes managed by the operator C different from the operator A in the X country. In this example, the operator C is a so-called mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that targets only users who have roamed in from carriers in other countries. The P-GW 32 and the S-GW 12 belong to the same area (region). Here, “belonging to the same region” means being connected without going through the international roaming network 80. The mobile communication network 1 includes the P-GW 13 and the HSS 15 as in FIG. 1, but the illustration is omitted because the P-GW 13 and the HSS 15 are not related to the international roaming according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the HSS 31. The HSS 31 is a node corresponding to the HSS 25, but is actually a proxy server that does not have a subscriber information database. However, since it is arranged at a position corresponding to the HSS in terms of the network configuration, the HSS 31 is simply denoted as HSS here for convenience. The HSS 31 includes a reception unit 311, a request unit 312, and a processing unit 313. The receiving unit 311 receives a location registration request (roaming request) from the MS 20. The request unit 312 requests authentication of the identification number recorded in the SIM 29 to the HSS (HSS 25 in this example) managed by the business operator that issued the SIM 29 inserted in the MS 20. When the identification number is authenticated in the HSS 25, the processing unit 313 performs processing for establishing a bearer from the MS 20 to the P-GW 32. Here, the process for establishing a communication path from the MS 20 to the P-GW 32 is, for example, a process of changing the APN from the one that designates the P-GW 23 to the one that designates the P-GW 32.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the HSS 31. The HSS 31 is a computer device having a CPU 301, a memory 302, a storage 303, and a network IF 304. The CPU 301 is a processor that controls each part of the HSS 31. The memory 302 is a storage device that functions as a work area when the CPU 301 executes a program. The storage 303 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various data and programs. The network IF 304 is an interface for performing communication according to a predetermined communication standard.

  In this example, the storage 303 stores a program for causing a computer device to function as an HSS (proxy server) in a mobile communication system. The function illustrated in FIG. 5 is implemented by the CPU 301 executing this program. The CPU 301 executing this program is an example of the reception unit 311, the request unit 312, and the processing unit 313.

3. Operation 3-1. Operation example 1
FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing the mechanism of international roaming according to Operation Example 1. The process in FIG. 7 is started, for example, when the MS 20 is turned on. The MS 20 outputs an attach request. This attach request is transmitted from the MS 20 to the MME 14 via the eNB 11 (step S201). The attach request includes identification information recorded in the SIM 29. When receiving the attach request, the MME 14 selects a transmission destination of the attach request using the identification information included in the attach request. The MME 14 or the like is set so that the attach request from the mobile communication terminal into which the SIM issued by the operator B in Y country is inserted is transmitted to the HSS 31 by the contract between the operator A and the operator C. The MME 14 transmits a location registration request to the HSS 31 (step S202). This location registration request includes location information of the MS 20 and identification information of the SIM 29. The location information of the MS 20 is obtained based on the eNB 11 that relayed the attach request.

  The HSS 31 receives the location registration request. When receiving the location registration request, the HSS 31 transmits an authentication request to the HSS (HSS 25 in this example) of the operator (the operator B in this example) specified by the identification information recorded in the SIM 29 (step S203). ). This authentication request includes identification information recorded in the SIM 29. Note that the HSS 31 does not determine (or distinguish) whether the SIM inserted in the mobile communication terminal that is the transmission source of the location registration request is the home SIM or the visitor SIM. This is because the business operator C provides services only for users who have roamed in, and there is no need to distinguish between home and visitors. Further, since the business operator C does not provide the MVNO service to users in X, the HSS 31 does not have a subscriber information database.

  The HSS 25 receives the authentication request. When receiving the authentication request, the HSS 25 refers to the subscriber information database stored in itself and authenticates whether the identification information included in the authentication request belongs to a valid user (step S204). The HSS 25 transmits an authentication response including the authentication result to the HSS 31 that is the transmission source of the authentication request (step S205).

  The HSS 31 receives the authentication response. When the authentication result included in the authentication response indicates that the user of the SIM 29 is authenticated, the HSS 31 sends an authentication response with information (APN notification) specifying the P-GW 32 as the APN to the MME 14. Transmit (step S206). The information specifying the APN may be a character string such as a domain name indicating the APN itself, or may be identification information for selecting an APN from a plurality of candidates. Upon receiving this command, the MME 14 transmits the received information and authentication response to the MS 20 (step S207).

  The MS 20 receives information specifying an APN and an authentication response. When the authentication result included in the authentication response indicates that the user of the SIM 29 is authenticated as valid, the MS 20 sets (changes) the APN to the one specifying the P-GW 32 (step S208). The MS 20 stores data including a list of APN candidates (for example, text format data). Further, the MS 20 has a program (application, firmware, or OS (Operating System)) for selecting a valid APN from the APN candidates in accordance with an instruction from the network. With this program function, the MS 20 sets the APN indicated by the information added to the received authentication response (in this example, the APN specifying the P-GW 32) as a valid APN from among the APN candidates. The MS 20 transmits a bearer setting request to the connection destination specified by the set APN (step S209). When the bearer setting request is received from the MS 20, the S-GW 12 performs name resolution by a DNS server (not shown) and specifies the bearer setting destination. In this example, the P-GW 32 is specified as the bearer setting destination. The S-GW 12 transmits a bearer setting request to the specified destination (P-GW 32).

  When receiving the bearer setting request, the P-GW 32 gives an IP address to the requesting MS 20 (step S210). When the IP address is assigned, the P-GW 32 transmits a bearer setting response. The bearer setting response is transmitted to the MS 20 via the S-GW 13 (step S211). When the MS 20 receives the bearer setting response, a bearer from the MS 20 to the P-GW 32 is established. When the bearer up to the P-GW 32 is established, the MS 20 can access the external network 90 via the P-GW 32.

3-2. Operation example 2
FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing the mechanism of international roaming according to the second operation example. Hereinafter, description of matters common to the operation example 1 is omitted. The MS 20 outputs an attach request. This attach request is transmitted from the MS 20 to the MME 14 via the eNB 11 (step S221). The attach request includes identification information recorded in the SIM 29. When receiving the attach request, the MME 14 selects a transmission destination of the attach request using the identification information included in the attach request. The MME 14 transmits a location registration request to the HSS 31 (step S222).

  The HSS 31 receives the location registration request. When receiving the location registration request, the HSS 31 transmits an authentication request to the HSS (HSS 25 in this example) of the operator (the operator B in this example) specified by the identification information recorded in the SIM 29 (step S223). ). This authentication request includes identification information recorded in the SIM 29. Note that the HSS 31 does not determine (or distinguish) whether the SIM inserted in the mobile communication terminal that is the transmission source of the location registration request is the home SIM or the visitor SIM. This is because the business operator C provides services only for users who have roamed in, and there is no need to distinguish between home and visitors. Further, since the business operator C does not provide the MVNO service to users in X, the HSS 31 does not have a subscriber information database.

  The HSS 25 receives the authentication request. When receiving the authentication request, the HSS 25 refers to the subscriber information database stored in itself, and authenticates whether the identification information included in the authentication request belongs to a valid user (step S224). The HSS 25 transmits an authentication response including the authentication result to the HSS 31 that is the transmission source of the authentication request (step S225). The HSS 31 transmits the received authentication response to the MME 14 (step S226). The MME 14 transmits the received authentication response to the MS 20 (step S227).

  The MS 20 receives the authentication response. If the authentication result included in the authentication response indicates that the user of the SIM 29 is authenticated, the MS 20 transmits a bearer setting request to the connection destination specified by the APN (step S228).

  When receiving the bearer setting request from the MS 20, the S-GW 12 determines whether the received bearer setting request is destined for a specific P-GW (in this example, P-GW 23). When it is determined that the received bearer setting request is destined for the P-GW 23, the S-GW 12 sets the bearer setting request destination to another specific P-GW (P-GW 32 in this example). The information is forcibly changed to the one shown (step S229). In this case, it is necessary to modify the operation of the S-GW 12 managed by the operator A for the operator C who is an MVNO. The operation of the S-GW 12 is modified based on a contract between the business operator A and the business operator C, for example. The S-GW 12 performs name resolution by a DNS server (not shown) and specifies a bearer setting destination. In this example, the P-GW 32 is specified as the bearer setting destination. The S-GW 12 transmits a bearer setting request to the specified destination (P-GW 32) (step S230).

  When receiving the bearer setting request, the P-GW 32 gives an IP address to the requesting MS 20 (step S231). When the IP address is assigned, the P-GW 32 transmits a bearer setting response. The bearer setting response is transmitted to the MS 20 via the S-GW 13 (step S232). When the MS 20 receives the bearer setting response, a bearer from the MS 20 to the P-GW 32 is established. When the bearer up to the P-GW 32 is established, the MS 20 can access the external network 90 via the P-GW 32.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which bearers are established from the MS 20 to the P-GW 32. This bearer does not include the international roaming network 80. In other words, it is like a roaming destination P-GW has been extended to X country. Therefore, the international roaming fee is not charged to the user. Thus, according to this embodiment, a low-cost roaming service can be provided. Note that the operation example 1 and the operation example 2 have the advantage that the operation example 1 does not need to modify the S-GW 12 of the mobile communication carrier, and the operation example 2 does not need to modify the MS 20.

4). Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. Hereinafter, some modifications will be described. Two or more of the following modifications may be used in combination.

  In the operation example 1, the specific method by which the MS 20 changes the APN is not limited to the one exemplified in the embodiment. For example, the MS 20 may not store data indicating a list of APN candidates. In this case, the HSS 31 notifies the MS 20 of information (for example, a domain name such as “abc.cc.xx”) that directly indicates the APN. The MS 20 sets a valid APN using information notified from the HSS 31. In another example, the notification of the APN from the HSS 31 to the MS 20 may not be performed. In this case, the HSS 31, the MME 14, the S-GW 12, or the eNB 11 notifies the MS 20 of information specifying the mobile communication network in which the MS 20 is located. The application of the MS 20 selects an APN corresponding to the mobile communication network indicated by the notified information from the APN candidates, and sets this APN as a valid APN.

  In the operation example 2, the specific method in which the S-GW 12 forcibly changes the bearer setting destination node from the P-GW 32 to the P-GW 32 is not limited to the one exemplified in the embodiment. For example, the S-GW 12 itself does not change the destination of the bearer setting request, and the DNS server (not shown) used by the S-GW 12 returns an IP address indicating P-GW 32 to the domain name indicating P-GW 23. May be modified.

  Although an example of international roaming has been described in the above-described embodiment, the business operator A and the business operator B may be business operators in the same country. That is, the present invention may be applied to domestic roaming. Even in domestic roaming, the present invention is useful in a system in which pay-as-you-go costs are incurred for communication between mobile communication networks.

  The specific sequence for establishing a bearer between the MS 20 and the P-GW 23 (or P-GW 32) described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. As long as a bearer can be finally established between the MS 20 and the P-GW 23 (or P-GW 32), any sequence may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, data communication has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to voice communication. In the case of application to voice communication, a process such as assigning a temporary telephone number after adding an IP address is added.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the business operator C does not provide the MVNO service to the users in X has been described. However, the operator C may provide the MVNO service to users in X. In this case, the HSS 31 may determine whether the SIM inserted into the mobile communication terminal that is the transmission source of the location registration request is a home SIM or a visitor SIM, and may perform processing according to the determination result. . Alternatively, when the operator C provides the MVNO service to users in X, separate HSS and P-GW for domestic users and international roaming users may be provided.

  The hardware configuration of the HSS 31 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. The HSS 31 may have any hardware configuration as long as the required function can be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile communication network, 2 ... Mobile communication network, 11 ... eNB, 12 ... S-GW, 13 ... P-GW, 14 ... MME, 15 ... HSS, 20 ... MS, 21 ... eNB, 22 ... S-GW, 23 ... P-GW, 24 ... MME, 25 ... HSS, 29 ... SIM, 31 ... HSS, 32 ... P-GW, 80 ... International roaming network, 90 ... External network, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... Memory, 303 ... Storage 304, communication IF, 311 ... receiving unit, 312 ... requesting unit, 313 ... processing unit

Claims (6)

A base station and a mobility control node managed by the first communication carrier and providing wireless access to mobile communication terminals located in the service area;
A first subscriber information database managed by a virtual mobile carrier and connected to the mobility control node;
Visited packet gateway connected to the mobility control node,
A first packet network gateway managed by a second communication carrier, connected to the in-zone packet gateway in the same area as the first subscriber information database, and serving as a connection point with an external network; and the second communication business A method for controlling a mobile communication system having a second subscriber information database managed by a subscriber,
The first subscriber information database receives a roaming request from a mobile communication terminal located in the service area, including a subscriber identification module in which a unique identification number issued by the second communication carrier is recorded. And steps to
The first subscriber information database that has received the roaming request requests the second subscriber information database to authenticate the identification number;
And a step of establishing a communication path from the mobile communication terminal to the first packet network gateway when the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database. When the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database, the first subscriber information database transmits information specifying the first packet network gateway to the mobile communication terminal;
2. The method of controlling a mobile communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: when receiving the information, the mobile communication terminal requests the first packet network gateway specified by the information to establish a communication path. When the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database, the mobile communication terminal requests a second packet network gateway managed by the second communication carrier to establish a communication path;
Receiving a request for establishing a communication path for the second packet network gateway from the mobile communication terminal, the visited packet gateway changing the request destination for establishing the communication path to the first packet network gateway; The method of controlling a mobile communication system according to claim 1. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first telecommunications carrier is a carrier in a first country, and the second telecommunications carrier is a carrier in a second country different from the first country. 5. The method for controlling a mobile communication system according to one item. A base station and a mobility control node managed by the first communication carrier and providing wireless access to mobile communication terminals located in the service area;
A first subscriber information database managed by a virtual mobile carrier and connected to the mobility control node;
A visited packet gateway connected to the mobility control node, and managed by the virtual mobile carrier, connected to the visited packet gateway in the same area as the first subscriber information database, It has a packet network gateway as a connection point,
The first subscriber information database is:
A receiver for receiving a roaming request from a mobile communication terminal located in the service area, including a subscriber identification module in which a unique identification number issued by a second communication carrier is recorded;
A request unit that requests authentication of the identification number with respect to a second subscriber information database managed by the second communication carrier;
And a processing unit that performs processing for establishing a communication path from the mobile communication terminal to the packet network gateway when the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database. A receiving unit for receiving a roaming request from a mobile communication terminal located in the service area of the first communication carrier, including a subscriber identification module in which a unique identification number issued by the second communication carrier is recorded;
A request unit that requests authentication of the identification number with respect to a second subscriber information database managed by the second communication carrier;
When the identification number is authenticated in the second subscriber information database, it is managed by the second communication carrier from the mobile communication terminal and is the same as the first subscriber information database managed by the first communication carrier. Connected to the packet gateway in the area of
A proxy server having a processing unit that performs processing for establishing a communication path to a packet network gateway serving as a connection point with an external network.

Images