WO2006110833A2 - Systeme permettant de rediriger le trafic entrant - Google Patents

Systeme permettant de rediriger le trafic entrant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006110833A2
WO2006110833A2 PCT/US2006/013686 US2006013686W WO2006110833A2 WO 2006110833 A2 WO2006110833 A2 WO 2006110833A2 US 2006013686 W US2006013686 W US 2006013686W WO 2006110833 A2 WO2006110833 A2 WO 2006110833A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vpmn
registration
hpmn
messages
mobile station
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Application number
PCT/US2006/013686
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English (en)
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WO2006110833A3 (fr
Inventor
Yue Jun Jiang
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Roamware, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Roamware, Inc. filed Critical Roamware, Inc.
Priority to CN2006800208249A priority Critical patent/CN101204102B/zh
Priority to EP06758312A priority patent/EP1974555A4/fr
Publication of WO2006110833A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006110833A2/fr
Publication of WO2006110833A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006110833A3/fr
Priority to IL186645A priority patent/IL186645A0/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/02—Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
    • H04W8/06—Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/02—Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
    • H04W8/08—Mobility data transfer
    • H04W8/12—Mobility data transfer between location registers or mobility servers

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to international roamers. More specifically, the invention relates to the control of traffic from international roamers.
  • Communication carrier mobile communication systems are deployed by different companies and network operators within almost every country around the world. Many of those network operators offer international roaming to their subscribers (or roamers) traveling abroad, and to travelers visiting their territory and using their foreign mobile telephones. Such an offering enables public mobile network subscribers the ability to use their mobile phones within public mobile networks other than their own, such as those networks present in territories other than those covered by the network to which they normally subscribe.
  • VPMNs When the subscribers roam into visited networks from a HPMN, they may roam onto one, two or more VPMNs, one at a time, based on various criteria. These VPMNs may also include the "non-preferred" VPMN networks. In some cases even when a VPMN network is "non-preferred" to a HPMN network it gets the inbound roamers from the HPMN. These may be due to either non-coverage of "preferred" VPMNs or manual selection of an inbound roamer. This may also be due to distribution by the HPMN Traffic Redirection (TR) (or Steering of Roaming (SoR)). Hence, the roamers of the HPMN still get registered with the "non-preferred" VPMN.
  • TR Traffic Redirection
  • SoR Steering of Roaming
  • the HPMN operator can use traffic redirection techniques to control the distribution of the roamers among VPMN networks in a country so that the "preferred" VPMN network will get a very high percentage of the HPMN's roaming traffic and the "non-preferred" VPMN networks will get a low percentage of that roaming traffic.
  • Those traffic redirections techniques used by an HPMN operator can deprive the non- preferred VPMN operators of inbound roaming revenues.
  • these deprived VPMN operators may have a partnership with the HPMN and may even be the "preferred" networks.
  • the traffic redirection that is based on rejection error, timeout or abort techniques generates network errors to the mobile handset's radio interface. The generation of these errors compels the mobile handset to initiate again a number of registration attempts. This can overload the network interface between the HPMN and the VPMN.
  • FIG. 1 shows an environment where Inbound Traffic Redirection
  • ITRS Intelligent System
  • FIG. 2 represents a system for controlling traffic of an inbound roaming mobile station between a first Visiting Public Mobile Network (VPMN), a second VPMN and a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • VPMN Visiting Public Mobile Network
  • HPMN Home Public Mobile Network
  • FIG. 3 represents a flow diagram for implementing Inbound Traffic redirection (ITR) between the first VPMN, the second VPMN and the HPMN 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • ITR Inbound Traffic redirection
  • FIGs. 4 and 5 represent a flowchart depicting various application logics to be checked before applying special handling techniques and providing VAS in combination with the ITR attempt, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 represents a flow diagram for implementing Enhanced Location based ITR between the first VPMN, the second VPMN and the HPMN, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 represents a flow diagram for implementing Location Recovery based ITR between the first VPMN, the second VPMN and the HPMN, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 represents a flow diagram for implementing the ITR in conjunction with countering of TR attempt initiated by the HPMN, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 represents a system diagram implementing the ITR using a GLR based technology, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 represents a flow diagram for performing ITR attempt to counter an ITR attempt from a competitor network, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • a method for controlling traffic of an inbound roaming mobile station between a first Visiting Public Mobile Network (VPMN), a second VPMN and a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) includes detecting a possible change in registration of the inbound roaming mobile station upon receipt of a first registration cancellation message of one or more registration cancellation messages at the first VPMN from the HPMN.
  • the method further includes attempting to redirect the traffic to the first VPMN by sending one or more registration messages from the first VPMN to the HPMN subsequent to receipt of the one or more registration cancellation messages from the HPMN. For each registration cancellation message received, one or more registration messages are sent within a first pre-defined interval of time (TO) till one registration message is recorded as a successful transaction.
  • TO pre-defined interval of time
  • the one or more registration messages are sent at least one of within a second pre-defined interval of time (T1) and a re-registration threshold number of times.
  • a system for controlling traffic of an inbound roaming mobile station between a first Visiting Public Mobile Network (VPMN), a second VPMN and a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) is also provided.
  • the system includes a detection unit for detecting a possible change in registration of the inbound roaming mobile station upon receipt of a first registration cancellation message of one or more registration cancellation messages at the first VPMN from the HPMN.
  • the system further includes a redirection unit for attempting to redirect the traffic to the first VPMN by sending one or more registration messages from the first VPMN to the HPMN subsequent to receipt of the one or more registration cancellation messages from the HPMN.
  • one or more registration messages are sent within a first pre-defined interval of time (TO) till one registration message is recorded as a successful transaction. Further, for the one or more registration cancellation messages received in current attempt to redirect the inbound roaming mobile station to the first VPMN, the one or more registration messages are sent at least one of within a second predefined interval of time (T1) and a re-registration threshold number of times.
  • TO pre-defined interval of time
  • T1 second predefined interval of time
  • ITRS Inbound Traffic redirection System
  • FIG. 1 shows an environment 100 where the Inbound Traffic Redirection System (ITRS) is implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the environment 100 includes a first VPMN 102, a second VPMN 104 and a third VPMN 106.
  • Each VPMN has its own inbound roamers and in a typical scenario (for example when no VPMN preferences are set in the SIM or handset memory of an inbound roamer's mobile device) , there is an even chance for each VPMN operator to get the inbound roamer's traffic.
  • a handset of a roamer Since under typical conventions such as GSM, a handset of a roamer always looks for the last registered network when power on or regaining coverage, an initially randomly selected network will continue to be selected for an inbound roamer unless that network looses coverage. When a roamer traverses an uncovered area ("blind spot"), within a presently- registered VPMN's territory, his handset will typically switch from that present VPMN to another.
  • blind spot uncovered area
  • the inbound roamers tend to move from one VPMN to the other.
  • VPMN since every VPMN network has some blind spots (including spots that have very weak signals or no signals at all), automatic switching to VPMN's offering coverage would, if not corrected by some type of Steering of Roaming technology, result in an even distribution of inbound roamers across all competing VPMN operators.
  • Some inbound roamers will lose to other operators while others come from competing operators.
  • the inbound roamers from the second VPMN 104 are leaking to both first VPMN 102 and third VPMN 106, as shown by dotted lines.
  • the inbound roamers from the third VPMN 106 are leaking to first VPMN 102 and second VPMN 104.
  • the ITRS is deployed in first VPMN 102 to ensure and increase the probability of inbound roamers continuing to stay with first VPMN 102 once they have registered with the network.
  • FIG. 2 represents a system 200 for controlling traffic of an inbound roaming mobile station 202 between first VPMN 102, second VPMN 104, and a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) 204, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the inbound roaming mobile station 202 (or a roamer) is initially registered with a VPMN operator at a first VPMN VLR 206 in first VPMN 102, while it is roaming from the HPMN 204. However, in some cases inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to (or is forced to attempt) register to another VPMN operator at a second VPMN VLR 208 in second VPMN 104.
  • first VPMN VLR 206 is integrated with a VMSC in first VPMN 102.
  • second VPMN VLR 208 is integrated a VMSC in second VPMN 104. Notwithstanding, both the VPMN VLRs and the VMSCs may have different logical addresses.
  • Subscriber profile data corresponding to the inbound roaming mobile station 202 is stored in a HPMN HLR 210 located in HPMN 204.
  • the roaming signaling corresponding to inbound roaming mobile station 202 at the first VPMN 102 is routed between a switch/roaming STP 212 and an international STP 1 214.
  • the roaming signaling corresponding to inbound roaming mobile station 202 at the second VPMN 104 is routed between a switch/roaming STP 216 and an international STP 2 218.
  • the signaling between HPMN 204 and first VPMN 102, and between HPMN 204 and second VPMN 104 are carried using SS7 signaling architecture 220 involving an international STP 3 222 connected to switching/roaming STP 224 in HPMN 204.
  • the signals exchanged between different networks are TCAP (including MAP, CAP and the like) based signals.
  • the signals exchanged are SCCP based routing signals.
  • the inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to register with second VPMN 104 even though it is already registered with the first VPMN 102 due to one or more of the following reasons. Firstly, the inbound roaming mobile station 202 may attempt to change the VPMN network in case there is weak signal strength or a loss of coverage in first VPMN 102. Secondly, the inbound roaming mobile station 202 may be selecting the second VPMN 104 due to new available technology e.g. GPRS or 3G in second VPMN 104.
  • second VPMN 104 attempts to redirect the traffic of inbound roaming mobile station 202 to itself.
  • the attempt by a VPMN operator to redirect the traffic of an inbound roamer to its own network is hereinafter referred to as an Inbound Traffic Redirection (ITR) attempt.
  • ITR Inbound Traffic Redirection
  • inbound roaming mobile station 202 is redirected by an operator in HPMN 204 in order to steer inbound roaming mobile station 202 to a "preferred" (or even a "non-preferred") network operator in second VPMN 104.
  • a traffic redirection is preformed by an operator in HPMN 204 to redirect the traffic of inbound roaming mobile station 202 to some other network operator in second VPMN 104 even though the operator in HPMN 204 may have roaming relationship with first VPMN 102.
  • this network reselection may also be due to preferred PLMN timer on the inbound roaming mobile station 202 indicating preference of second VPMN 104 over first VPMN 102.
  • the steering of inbound roaming mobile station 202 deprives the first VPMN 102 of the revenues from the inbound roamer.
  • the system 200 includes an ITR module 226 that monitors the traffic between HPMN 204, and first VPMN 102 and thereafter provides necessary one or more messages to attempt to redirect the traffic to first VPMN 102.
  • ITR module 226 is deployed by first VPMN 102 to counter the TR attempt by the operator in HPMN 204 and an ITR attempt by second VPMN 104.
  • the ITR module 226 includes a detection unit 228 and a redirection unit 230.
  • detection unit 228 monitors/probes the signals exchanged between switch 212 in first VPMN 102 and international STP 1 214. This is referred to as passive monitoring.
  • ITR module 226 actively intercepts the signaling from switch (or roaming STP) 212 or from the international STP 1 214 in the in-signaling path mode.
  • switch 212 is configured to assist in exchange of first registration cancellation message, one or more registration messages, and one or more registration cancellation messages between HPMN 204, and first VPMN 102.
  • the monitoring or probing of the traffic redirection attempt is performed in two modes, either by passive monitoring or active monitoring of the signals.
  • all signals exchanged through switch 212 are SCCP/TCAP based signals.
  • ITR module 226 is deployed on roaming SS7 path by configuring switch 212 (or roaming STP) to route international roaming SCCP traffic through ITR module 226.
  • switch 212 or roaming STP
  • primary routing of the incoming international SCCP traffic from international STP 1 214 destined to E164 VPMN VLR 206 is configured to go through ITR module 226.
  • secondary routing is kept to VPMN VLR 206. This is done in order to provide a redundant path for routing of traffic in case of failure of ITR module 226.
  • the E214 is a numbering plan (NP) used for delivering mobility management related messages in GSM networks.
  • the E.214 number is derived from the IMSI of a roaming mobile station.
  • E.214 numbers are composed of two parts. The first, the E.164 part, is made up of a country code followed by the network code.
  • E.214 numbers are routed separately from E.164 numbers since they are marked with a different Numbering Plan Indicator (NPI), however, it is possible to reuse Global Title (GT) analysis tables used in E.164 numbers everywhere except for the final destination network of the message.
  • NPI Numbering Plan Indicator
  • GT Global Title
  • SSN can be used to separate the routing. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that alternative routing options are possible depending on type of network elements in first VPMN 102 and second VPMN 104. For example, to avoid looping the traffic redirection can be performed either using translation types (or tables) (TT) or using MTP routing involving international STP Signal Point Code (SPC) and Switching/Roaming SPC, depending on the network setup in VPMN(s). In another example, an operator in first VPMN 102 could perform MAP analysis and only redirect Cancel Location message from E164 messages from international STP 1 214 through ITR module 226 to reduce significantly the in-signaling load.
  • TT translation types
  • SPC Signal Point Code
  • Switching/Roaming SPC Switching/Roaming SPC
  • the switch 212 and the ITR module 226 are configured for both incoming and outgoing international SCCP signaling messages.
  • Called party CdPA
  • the DPC is set as ITR module 226 and the destination TT as 32.
  • the CdPA is VPMN VLR 206 and the NP is E.164 with TT as 0
  • the DPC is set to be ITR module 226 and the destination TT as 32. This means any incoming E164 message at the switch 212 is directed to the ITR module 226 first.
  • the DPC In case of an outgoing message from the switch 212 with the TT as 32 and CdPA is not own and the NP is E.214, the DPC is set as international STP 1 214 and destination TT as 0. Further, in case with TT as 32 and CdPA as VPMN VLR 206 and the NP is E164, the DPC is also set to VPMN VLR 206 and destination TT as 0.
  • the routing indicator (Rl) of SCCP CdPA in all these cases can remain unchanged (e.g. on Global Title (GT)).
  • switch 212 is configured to send an incoming message with NP as E.214 and CdPA as not own to DPC at ITR module 226. Also in case the CdPA is VPMN VLR 206 with NP as E 164, the DPC is changed to ITR module 226. Routing configuration for an own network (first VPMN 102) destined outgoing message from ITR module 226 to the switch 212 sets the DPC to VPMN VLR 206 with Rl as SSN / unchanged. Similarly, for an international (HPMN) destined outgoing message from ITR module 226 to the switch 212, the DPC is set to international STP 1 214 with Rl remaining as GT.
  • first VPMN 102 destined outgoing message from ITR module 226 to the switch 212
  • the ITR module 226 Based on different incoming and outgoing messages from switch 212, the ITR module 226 sends different messages as one or more registration messages to attempt to redirect the traffic of inbound roaming mobile station 202 to first VPMN 102. [0035] In case when none of the above conditions are satisfied, then all incoming SCCP messages may be relayed back to switch 212 (or the roaming STP) or VPMN VLR 206 respectively depending on whether the TT type or MTP routing is used. In the above described methods, SCCP is relayed rather than TCAP. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, that a similar flow can also be defined for TCAP based relay. In this case, new transaction will be initiated by ITR module 226 for each self-initiated fake LUP message and each time a new mapping will be established to relate the new originating transaction ID to the original originating transaction ID.
  • FIG. 3 represents a flow diagram for implementing inbound traffic redirection between first VPMN 102, second VPMN 104 and HPMN 204, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Detection unit 228 in ITR module 226 detects a possible change in registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 upon receipt of a first registration cancellation message of one or more registration cancellation messages at first VPMN 102 from HPMN 204.
  • the possible change in the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 is inferred when a Location Update (LUP) message 302 being sent a first registration message from second VPMN 104 to HPMN 204.
  • LUP Location Update
  • This LUP 302 is sent by second VPMN 104 after inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to (or is forced to attempt to) register with second VPMN 102.
  • detection unit 228 can deduce inbound roaming mobile station 202 is attempting to register with second VPMN 106 when there is no new registration message received from the first VPMN 102 also detection unit 228 detects the receipt of the one or more registration cancellation messages at first VPMN 102.
  • the first registration cancellation message is a Cancel Location message 304 sent from HPMN HLR 210 to cancel the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 with first VPMN 102.
  • the first registration cancellation message of the one or more registration cancellation messages is sent directly to the first VPMN VLR 206 while the subsequent registration cancellation messages are tapped at ITR module 226.
  • the Cancel Location 304 process from the HPMN HLR 210 that is started from a new location update received at the HPMN HLR 210 is independent of the status of the Location Update process at HPMN HLR 210.
  • redirection unit 230 attempts to redirect the traffic to first VPMN 102 by sending one or more registration messages from first VPMN 102 to HPMN 204 subsequent to receipt of one or more registration cancellation messages from HPMN 204.
  • one or more registration messages are sent by the ITR module 226 in the first VPMN 102 within a first pre-defined interval of time (TO) till one registration message is recorded as a successful transaction.
  • TO first pre-defined interval of time
  • ITR module 226 can be an integration of detection unit 228 and redirection unit 230, and is deployed in first VPMN 102.
  • the one or more registration messages are Location Update messages (LUP) 306 from first VPMN 102.
  • LUP messages are fake location update (LUP) messages.
  • last of these fake LUP messages 306 is recorded as successful transaction unless the time TO is expired and all are sent with a pre-defined interval of time (TO).
  • the time interval TO is less than or equal to the time required for completing location update process from the second VPMN 104 at HPMN HLR 210.
  • the successful LUP transaction implies exchange of other necessary messages, such as MAP ISD and MAP ISD ACK (according to the underlying protocol) also to be successful exchanged between first VPMN 102 and HPMN HLR 210.
  • the one or more registration messages are sent using one or more GT for each of the Cancel Location message received.
  • the GT is used of the first VPMN VLR 206.
  • the GT is selected from one or more GT(s) associated with the first VPMN 102.
  • redirection unit 230 exchanges the one or more registration messages 306 corresponding to each of one or more registration cancellation messages 304 received from HPMN 204.
  • the one or more registration cancellation messages 304 are sent subsequent to each registration message 302 sent by inbound roaming mobile station 202 after an error is generated at inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • Examples of network messages from HPMN 204 to the second VPMN 104 resulting in a radio message to the inbound roaming mobile station indicating the network failure are MAP U/P ABORT, MAP-CLOSE, TCAP-abort, and system failure depending on HLR implementation in HPMN.
  • inbound roaming mobile station 202 When inbound roaming mobile station 202 encounters such an error for a few (e.g. 4) times, it selects an alternative network (including the same network again).
  • the new network is either selected from a new scan or from an existing scan.
  • the existing scan has a possibility of tracking weak signals from first VPMN 102.
  • inbound roaming mobile station 202 gets a Network Failure (error code 17), it retries, by sending the registration message 302, at most equal to an expected number of times for existing network (second VPMN 104) before selecting an alternative network. In one embodiment of the invention, the expected number of times is four. Each retry attempt generates Cancel Location 304 for first VPMN 102.
  • a corresponding fake LUP message 306 i.e. one or more registration messages.
  • HPMN 204 sends a reject message to second VPMN 104.
  • a LUP reject error 308 is sent as the reject message to second VPMN 104 by HPMN 204.
  • the process of exchange of messages from 302 to 308 is repeated 4 or more times before inbound roaming mobile station 202 tries for an alternative network, including second VPMN 104.
  • first VPMN 102 is not found in the current list of available PLMN(s) of inbound roaming mobile station 202, different (maybe discontinuous) PLMN search schemes are used in order to minimize access time while maintaining battery life. For example, the search is prioritized in favor of BCCH carriers which have a high probability of belonging to an available and allowable PLMN. This provides first VPMN 102 that has deployed ITR module 226 a better chance to be found and registered again by inbound roaming mobile station 202. The longer the time and the higher the number of fake LUP attempts ITR module 226 makes, the better is the chance for inbound roaming mobile station 202 to get registered to first VPMN 102.
  • the system 200 in this embodiment includes an SGSN associated with second VPMN 104 and another SGSN associated with first VPMN 102.
  • ITR module 226 monitors (actively and passively) exchange of Cancel Location messages as the one or more registration cancellation messages are sent to the SGSN in first VPMN 102 instead of first VPMN VLR 206. Further, the SGSN in first VPMN 102 sends one or more fake GPRS LUP messages.
  • the one or more Fake LUP messages 306 for each registration cancellation message from HPMN 204 to the first VPMN 102 are required to be sent within the pre-defined interval of time (TO).
  • TO is the interval that a location update process takes to complete at the HPMN HLR 210.
  • All the fake location updates from ITR module 226 for all registration cancellation messages from HPMN 204 to the first VPMN 102 in a current ITR attempt however also need be sent within a second pre-defined interval of time (T1) and/or a re-registration threshold number of times.
  • T1 time interval is a re-registration timer.
  • the value of the re-registration timer indicates the time left to perform an ITR attempt for an inbound roaming mobile station.
  • all of the fake LUP messages 306 for the current ITR attempt are sent at most equal to the re-registration threshold number of times of a re-registration counter.
  • the re-registration counter indicates number of registration attempts made by inbound roaming mobile station 202 for second VPMN 104 while the ITR module 226 is deployed in first VPMN 102.
  • the re-registration threshold of the re-registration counter provides an upper limit to the number of fake LUP messages 306 to be sent by ITR module 226.
  • the T1 is equal to the multiplication of the sum of maximum interval between the one or more fake LUP messages 306 (after the network failure # 17) and maximum interval to select an alternative network (including the second VPMN 104) for a location update attempt by the number of competitor network operators in the country.
  • the interval to retry the same network can be in the range of 45 sec to 150 sec and the interval to try an alternative network can be in the range of 15 sec to 30 sec.
  • the value of T1 can be within a range of 60 sec to 300.
  • the T1 is equal to an expiration threshold. The expiration threshold indicates the time when the re- registration counter is reset so as to treat any further Cancel Location from HPMN HLR 210 as a new ITR sequence.
  • the re-registration threshold for the re-registration counter is set to (N-1)*4, where N is the number of competitor operator networks in the country where ITR module 226 is deployed.
  • N is the number of competitor operator networks in the country where ITR module 226 is deployed.
  • Four is selected as inbound roaming mobile station 202 tries for a total of four times for the same network (i.e. second VPMN 104) on receiving error code #17, based on GSM 408 or 3GPP 24.008.
  • the value of N is selected as 2, assuming there are two networks in that country. This also increases chances of inbound roaming mobile station 202 getting back to first VPMN 102.
  • the HPMN HLR 210 issues Cancel Location 304 to the first VPMN VLR 206 only after completing Location Update with second VPMN 104.
  • ITR module 226 first sends the fake LUP message using its own GT. Thereafter the HPMN HLR 210 issues a Cancel Location to second VPMN 104.
  • inbound roaming mobile station 202 will not receive any information or notifications until any MO activity.
  • the ITR module will not receive further registration cancellation messages from the HPMN HLR 210 and it cannot perform further fake location updates.
  • the HPMN HLR 210 can be blacklisted.
  • the blacklist can be periodically emptied just to cater for a future change in configuration of the HPMN HLR 210.
  • ITR module 226 sends one or more response messages on behalf of inbound roaming mobile station 202 in response to receipt of one or more request messages from the HPMN HLR 210 when the one or more registration cancellation messages are received after completion of location update process at second VPMN 104.
  • the one or more request messages are including but not limited to, MAP PSI from HPMN 204, MAP PRN from HPMN 204 as a result of an incoming call to the inbound roaming mobile station's number and a MAP Forward SMS as a result of an incoming SMS to the inbound roaming mobile station's number from an SMSC.
  • ITR module 226 sends an Absent Subscriber message as the response message on behalf of inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • a redirection counter for all inbound roamers is defined.
  • a redirection counter for each HPMN at a configurable interval of time (e.g. 1 hour) is also defined.
  • a redirection limit for the redirection counter at the configurable interval of time can be defined for each inbound roaming mobile station in HPMN.
  • the system can refer to these types of counters on attempts and success per home network or visited network are for special application logic to control the inbound TR process and results.
  • One example of such special application logic is to control the distribution of traffic accepted from the variety of HPMNs. Especially in situations when capacity is at a premium, such logic can be used to help ensure that a visited network serves roamers from its preferred partners with priority, or manages priority among multiple foreign networks according to rules.
  • one or more of the redirection counters are incremented when the ITR attempt is successful or failed.
  • FIGs. 4 and 5 represent a flowchart depicting various sorts of application logic that can be checked before applying special handling techniques and providing VAS in combination with the ITR attempt, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the re-registration counter and the re-registration timer are used to apply one or more special handling techniques to inbound roaming mobile station 202. In other words, both the counter and the timer values are used to decide whether the special handling and the VAS are to be provided.
  • it is checked if the re-registration timer is expired and the re- registration counter is equal to 1. If yes, then at step 404, the re-registration counter is reset and statistical bookkeeping is done.
  • the statistical bookkeeping can include changing values of one or more redirection counters. Also special handling techniques may be performed.
  • ITR module 226 monitors the LUP message to the HPMN HLR 210 and Cancel Location message to the first VPMN VLR 206. Further, also at step 406, the fake LUP message is processed by ITR module 226. ITR module 226 issues the fake LUP using own GT as the VLR, VMSC and SCCP CgPA on the same IMSI or inbound roamer again. ITR module 226 completes the fake LUP transaction itself.
  • MSISDN and HLR of IMSI of inbound roaming mobile station 202 are recorded.
  • ITR module 226 For each LUP message from own network (first VPMN 102), ITR module 226 records VLR and IMSI. Here the VLR and IMSI for inbound roaming mobile station 202 are captured irrespective whether the LUP message is successful or not.
  • ITR module 226 checks whether the IMSI is blacklisted. If there exists an error message returned in response to ITR module's fake LUP message indicating unknown subscriber, RNA, ODB barring for roaming, RNA in location area (due to restriction, regional service subscription, national roaming and the like), the IMSI will be blacklisted for subsequent fake LUP messages by ITR module 226 until the IMSI is registered in first VPMN 102 again. If blacklisted, then ITR module 226 can abandon the ITR attempt.
  • the re-registration timer is checked whether it is expired. If expired, then at step 416, both the re-registration counter and the re-registration timer are reset. For each Cancel Location Message from HPMN HLR 210 on an IMSI to a VPMN VLR including the Cancel Location message sent to ITR module 226 for its fake LUP message, ITR module 226 first records the HLR for the IMSI and it checks via the previous recorded LUP message of the IMSI from second VPMN 104 to HPMN HLR 210 if the IMSI was registering/registered in a new VLR in the same VPMN (i.e., first VPMN 102).
  • the ITR module 226 or other system elements can check if the new VLR is in the same VPMN. In case it is the same VLR, and the re-registration timer for the IMSI is expired (i.e. at zero), then at step 420, it is checked if the re- registration counter is not equal to zero. If equal to zero, then ITR attempt is abandoned.
  • step 422 If the re-registration counter is not zero, then at step 422, the total redirection counter is incremented and the re-registration counter for the IMSI is set to zero and re-registration-timer for the IMSI is set to the expiration threshold again. In other words, statistical bookkeeping is performed.
  • ITR module 226 at step 424 checks whether the re-registration counter is equal to threshold. In case the re-registration counter is equal to the re-registration threshold following can be performed at step 426:
  • the ITR module 226 optionally performs some value added services.
  • FIG. 6 represents a flow diagram for implementing Enhanced Location based ITR between first VPMN 102, second VPMN 104 and HPMN 204, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In case inbound roaming mobile station 202 leaves the country deploying the ITR module 226, the ITR module continues to send the fake LUP messages to the HPMN HLR 204.
  • detection unit 228 in ITR module 226 detects a possible change in registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 upon receipt of the first registration cancellation message (Cancel Location 304) at first VPMN 102 from HPMN 204.
  • the possible change in the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 is inferred when Location Update (LUP) message 302 being sent the first registration message from second VPMN 104 to HPMN 204.
  • LUP 302 is sent by second VPMN 104 after inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to (or is forced to attempt to) register with second VPMN 102.
  • detection unit 228 can deduce inbound roaming mobile station 202 is attempting to register with second VPMN 102. Further, detection unit 228 detects the receipt of the one or more Cancel Location message 304 as registration cancellation messages at first VPMN 102.
  • the registration cancellation message is a sent from HPMN HLR 210 to cancel the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 with first VPMN 102.
  • the first registration cancellation message of the one or more registration cancellation messages is sent directly to first VPMN VLR 206 while the subsequent registration cancellation messages are tapped at ITR module 226.
  • Cancel Location 304 from the HPMN HLR 210 that is started by the inbound roaming mobile station's registration attempt at the second VPMN 104 is independent of the status of the Location Update process at HPMN HLR 210.
  • ITR module 226 sends a search request message concurrently with each of the one or more fake LUP messages 306 after receipt of the Cancel Location message 304 from HPMN 204 and before relaying the same to first VPMN VLR 206.
  • the search request message is sent to a last know VMSC of inbound roaming mobile station 202 to collect location area information of inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • the search request message is a Search MS (a MAP message) sent concurrently with the fake LUP message 306. The information received after sending the Search MS indicates whether inbound roaming mobile station 202 is still under the coverage of first VPMN 102 deploying ITR module 226.
  • the search request message is a Page MS message sent concurrently with the fake LUP message 306 and before relaying the Cancel Location 304 to first VPMN VLR 206.
  • the Search MS is sent in both active and passive monitoring mode, while the Page MS is sent in the active monitoring (i.e., in-signaling path mode).
  • Page MS only pages inbound roaming mobile station 202 in the last (or current) known location area, while the Search MS searches all location areas of the last (or current) known VMSC.
  • both the messages if there are errors to the search request message, then the network and the country where the inbound roaming mobile station 202 is currently at cannot be identified. [0063]To avoid this problem, another embodiment of performing location based ITR attempt is now described.
  • the ITR module 226 sends a routing request immediately prior to sending the fake LUP message 306 to HPMN HLR 210.
  • the routing request is a SRI- SM message 602. This is the most preferred embodiment.
  • the routing request is an SRI message.
  • the routing request is an ATI message.
  • the SRI-SM message is sent on MSISDN of inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • ITR module 226 sends the fake LUP message 306 after receipt of an SRI-SM ACK message.
  • ITR module 226 sends the fake LUP message 306 immediately after sending the SRI-SM message without waiting for the SRI-SM ACK message. If the HPMN HLR 210 takes a VMSC (or VLR) location of a roamer immediately from a new network location update even before it is completed, then the SRI-SM ACK message will return a VMSC. After knowing the VMSC of inbound roaming mobile station 202 and when the re-registration counter of the IMSI of inbound roaming mobile station 202 is at threshold, then ITR module 226 does not attempt ITR but, in one embodiment, provide VAS to inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • VMSC or VLR
  • VAS is provided when the ITR attempt fails and the response to the routing request returns a competitor network. Examples of VAS may include, but are not limited to, sending a "Winback” SMS or a "Thank You and come back again" SMS. However, if the HPMN HLR 210 does not return anything or returns an error to a SRI-SM request, then the immediate fake LUP message 306 still beats racing condition with the HPMN HLR's 210 current location update process.
  • ITR module 226 blacklists an HLR associated with HPMN 204 for a pre-defined time interval in absence of a response or in presence of an error message (e.g.
  • the increment for each fake LUP in an ITR attempt need not be all the same, for example, the first increment is 0, the next increment is 2ms, the next one just 1ms etc.
  • the threshold can be in the range 20ms-200ms.
  • the HLR can be blacklisted from further SRI-SM messages.
  • a HPMN HLR 210 is blacklisted from further SRI-SM query before each fake LUP message 306, it implies, when Cancel Location 304 on inbound roaming mobile station 202 is received from the HPMN HLR 210, and if the HLR is blacklisted due to above reason, ITR module 226 just issues fake LUP messages 306 without any routing request (SRI-SM) prior to it.
  • the ITR module 226 determines whether the VMSC in second VPMN 104 is a non-ITR attempting network after applying some application logics of pre-defined criteria on the response. Thereafter, subsequent fake LUP messages including the follow-on one if the fake LUP message is issued after the SRI-SM ACK will not be sent to HPMN HLR 210. In other words, the ITR attempt on the departing inbound roaming mobile station 202 will not be abandoned. Examples of some application logics of pre-defined criteria that determine that the VMSC returned from SRI-SM request is a non-ITR candidate include, but not limited to, the following:
  • the VMSC is in a different country from that of first VPMN 102.
  • the VMSC is in a blacklist VPMN network in the same country as of first VPMN 102. For example, when two VPMN networks have some kind of agreements (e.g. a merger or a friendly deal) not to do an ITR to each other.
  • some kind of agreements e.g. a merger or a friendly deal
  • the VMSC is in a blacklist VPMN network in any country that is different from that of first VPMN 102. For example, when two VPMN networks have some kind of agreements (e.g. a merger or a group alliance) not to do an ITR attempt against each other.
  • some kind of agreements e.g. a merger or a group alliance
  • the VMSC belongs to a network in a country (same or different country from that of first VPMN 102) that satisfies some statistical criteria including, but not limited to, the following: a.
  • the network already exceeds its allocated threshold of the ITR attempts within a configurable interval. For example, the interval may be infinite.
  • b. The network already exceeds its threshold of the inbound TR success within a configurable interval. For example, the interval may be infinite.
  • the network is forbidden for an ITR attempt within some kinds of time bands.
  • the network exceeds its percentage of distribution for all ITR attempts or success. For example, a limit could be set that no ITR attempts/successes for a HPMN network more than a certain percentage of all the ITR attempts or success.
  • one or more Fake LUP messages 306 for each registration cancellation message from HPMN 204 to the first VPMN 102 are required to be sent within the first pre-defined interval of time (TO).
  • TO is the interval that location update process takes to complete at the HPMN HLR 210.
  • All the fake location updates from the ITR module 226 for all registration cancellation messages from HPMN 204 to the first VPMN 102 in an ITR attempt however also need be sent within the second pre-defined time interval T1 and/or within the re-registration threshold.
  • the T1 time interval is a re- registration timer. The value of the re-registration timer indicates the time left to perform an ITR attempt for a departing roamer.
  • all the one or more fake LUP message 306 are sent in an ITR attempt also at most equal to the re-registration threshold number of times of a re-registration counter.
  • the re-registration counter indicates number of registration attempts made by inbound roaming mobile station 202 for second VPMN 104 while the ITR module 226 is deployed in first VPMN 102.
  • the re- registration threshold of the re-registration counter provides an upper limit to the number of fake LUP messages 306 to be sent by ITR module 226.
  • the HPMN 204 (or HPMN HLR 210) will send a TCAP/MAP abort or system failure message to the second VPMN 104.
  • a LUP reject error 308 is sent to second VPMN 104 by HPMN 204
  • a network failure of the location registration at the second VPMN 104 is generated by the second VPMN 104 towards the inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • Examples of network messages from HPMN 204 to the second VPMN 104, resulting a radio message to the inbound roaming mobile station indicating the network failure are MAP U/P ABORT, MAP_CLOSE, TCAP-abort, and system failure depending on HLR implementation in HPMN.
  • ITR module 226 may abandon the ITR attempt if inbound roaming mobile station 202 is found to be in a manual mode. In another embodiment of the invention, ITR module 226 abandons the ITR attempt in case inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to register with second VPMN 104 greater than an expected number of times. Exemplary value of the expected number of times is four.
  • ITR module 226 abandons the ITR attempt in case inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to register with second VPMN 104 greater than a registration threshold. For example, if inbound roaming mobile station 202 is stuck after 4 or more retries before any timer or threshold are reached and the stuck-interval exceed a certain limit, then ITR module 226 blacklists the IMSI of inbound roaming mobile station 202. The blacklist can just be made per trip-based.
  • the registration threshold is the limit for the stuck-interval and it is a configurable parameter.
  • the ITR attempt may be limited to blacklist and white-list based on network criteria (e.g. complaining partner network) and roamer profile (e.g. usage, explicit complaint from an inbound roamer). If inbound roaming mobile station 202 goes back to home country but the ITR module 226 is not aware as no VMSC is returned to the SRI-SM query in the ITR attempt, then inbound roaming mobile station 202 keeps trying to re-register at HPMN or a home country network until re-registration limit in form of the registration threshold is reached.
  • network criteria e.g. complaining partner network
  • roamer profile e.g. usage, explicit complaint from an inbound roamer
  • ITR module 226 if ITR module 226 is not aware that inbound roaming mobile station 202 is out to a third country because no VMSC is returned to the SRI-SM query in an inbound TR attempt, the ITR attempt will continue until the re-registration limit is reached.
  • ITR module 226 if inbound roaming mobile station 202 continues to try to register with second VPMN 104 (because a VMSC is returned to the SRI-SM query in an inbound TR attempt) right after more than the expected number of (4) fake location updates in the ITR attempt, ITR module 226 abandons the current ITR attempt on inbound roaming mobile station 202. The departing roamer is deduced to be in a manual mode.
  • ITR module 226 abandons the ITR attempt when inbound roaming mobile station 202 is found to be present in non-coverage area of first VPMN 102.
  • the non-coverage area can be deduced if inbound roaming mobile station 202 continues to try to register with second VPMN 104 (because a VMSC is returned in the SRI-SM query in an inbound TR attempt) in the ITR attempt and there are some other competitor networks in between in the ITR attempt, ITR module 226 abandons the current ITR attempt on inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • inbound roaming mobile station 202 If inbound roaming mobile station 202 is in manual mode but ITR module 226 does not know because no VMSC is returned in the SRI-SM query in the ITR attempt, inbound roaming mobile station 202 will try to reregister at the same operator until re-registration limit is reached. Further, if inbound roaming mobile station 202 is detected to be in a non-coverage area of first VPMN 102 (deploying the ITR module 226) in the country but ITR module 226 does not know because no VMSC is returned in the SRI-SM query in the ITR attempt, inbound roaming mobile station 202 will try to reregister different operators in the country until re-registration limit is reached.
  • ITR module 226 defines a maximum network counter for the ITR attempt to control the maximum number of competitor networks against which fake location updates are issued. This is done if the new network location of inbound roaming mobile station 202 is known through the VMSC returned to the SRI-SM query in the ITR attempt. Similarly, ITR module 226 defines a maximum timer for the ITR attempt for a network to control the maximum duration for which the fake location updates are issued for the network in an ITR attempt. [0076]ln yet another embodiment of the invention, ITR module 226 defines a global redirection limit for an inbound roamer at a configurable interval. This may be per country or per HPMN-based.
  • ITR module 226 defines a redirection limit for all inbound roamers of a particular HPMN or country at a configurable interval of time. In another embodiment of the invention, ITR module 226 defines thresholds and timers for re-registration on per VPMN VLR/VMSC or cell basis (if known), since the VPMN knows better its own coverage at particular VMSC/VLR or cell.
  • ITR module 226 defines a configuration distribution control profile among HPMNs of inbound roamers.
  • the configuration distribution control profile supports in decision of performing the ITR attempt.
  • ITR module 226 activates the configuration distribution control profile on the HPMNs at different time bands.
  • the configuration distribution control profile is defined based on the following (but not limited to the following) one or more parameters:
  • Inbound TR attempts For example, no more than 15% of ITR attempts of total ITR attempts to be made on inbound roamers from VodafoneTM United Kingdom.
  • Inbound TR success For example, no more than 15% of ITR success of total successful ITR attempts to be made on inbound roamers from VodafoneTM United Kingdom.
  • X and Y may be 15 and 75. These values are chosen by an operator in first VPMN 102.
  • these one or more parameters in the configurable distribution control profile are measured by a configurable counter.
  • the distribution measure can be done for the configurable counter of the corresponding count in each of the above one or more parameters. For example, if the distribution control is on inbound TR attempts and the configurable counter is set to 10, then the percentage will be measured for every 10 ITR attempts.
  • the ITR module can define success rate as:
  • HPMN HLR has fraud control in such a way that it discards a location update from ITR module or simply new registrations of inbound roaming mobile station during another location update of the station
  • ITR module 226 blacklists HPMN HLR 210 from future ITR attempts.
  • the enhanced location-based ITR mechanisms can even be applied to perform network selection for departing roamers going to a new VPMN in another country. In case, inbound roaming mobile station goes back to the home country, the ITR is abandoned. Although it is possible to select networks in the home country when there is national roaming for the HPMN network of the roamer in the home country.
  • the ITR module attempts to perform the ITR to a third VPMN when the attempt to perform the ITR to the first VPMN is unsuccessful.
  • the third VPMN is a preferred network to the first VPMN in comparison to the second VPMN being a non-preferred network to the first VPMN.
  • the ITR module 226 is deployed at Orange Netherlands may still perform ITR attempt until the inbound roaming mobile station 202 is registered at Create a Simple Life (CSLTM) Hong Kong (third VPMN). This is done assuming that CSL HK is a preferred partner of
  • the ITR module may also choose to perform the ITR to another network in case CSL HK has no coverage or inbound roaming mobile station 202 is in manual mode.
  • FIG. 7 represents a flow diagram for implementing Location Recovery based ITR between first VPMN 102, second VPMN 104 and HPMN 204, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • ITR module 226 attempts to identify the location of inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • Detection unit 228 in ITR module 226 detects a possible change in registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 upon receipt of a Cancel Location message 704 at first VPMN 102 from HPMN 204.
  • LUP Location Update
  • This LUP 702 is sent by second VPMN 104 after inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to (or is forced to attempt to) register with second VPMN 102.
  • the registration cancellation message is a sent from HPMN HLR 210 to cancel the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 with first VPMN 102.
  • detection unit 228 can deduce inbound roaming mobile station 202 is attempting to register with second VPMN 102.
  • the first Cancel Location 704 received is held at ITR module 226.
  • redirection unit 230 identifies a blind spot in first VPMN 102 based on a reply message in response to sending a subscriber information message to a VLR associated with inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • the subscriber information message is sent before relaying the first registration cancellation message (Cancel Location 704) from HPMN 204 to first VPMN VLR 206 in first VPMN 102.
  • redirection unit 230 sends a PSI message 706 as the subscriber information message to first VPMN VLR 206.
  • the PSI message 706 is a MAP based signal.
  • first VPMN VLR 206 pages inbound roaming mobile station 202 in anticipation of a reply from inbound roaming mobile station 202 indicating a current location and cell in first VPMN 102. In another embodiment of the invention or there is no reply from the paging, first VPMN VLR 206 simply returns the last known cell location where the roamer was at. All these variations intend to gain a rough idea of the blind spots where the roamers were about to be lost at the first VPMN 102. After sending the PSI message 706 to first VPMN VLR 206 the ITR module 226 relays the Cancel Location message 704 even before it receives a PSI ACK message 708 indicating the current location of inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • PSI ACK will be processed independently of current ITR.
  • the current ITR attempt will continue normally as described earlier in active monitoring mode.
  • Cancel Location 704 from the HPMN HLR 210 is independent of the Location Update process at HPMN HLR 210.
  • ITR module 226 continues the ITR attempt by sending fake LUP messages 710, which on successful completion with HPMN HLR 210, create the Network Failure error (# 17) at inbound roaming mobile station 202, forcing it to attempt for an alternative network. Thereafter, HPMN HLR 210 sends a LUP reject error 712 generating the Network Failure error (# 17) at inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • ITR module 226 is also capable to provide information of where inbound roaming mobile station 202 is leaking to competitor networks.
  • the PSI message 706 is issued after the success of an ITR attempt on the inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • FIG. 8 represents a flow diagram for implementing the ITR in conjunction with countering of TR attempt initiated by the HPMN, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Detection unit 228 in ITR module 226 detects a possible change in registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 upon receipt of a Cancel Location message 804 at first VPMN 102 from HPMN 204.
  • the possible change in the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 is inferred when a Location Update (LUP) message 802 being sent the first registration message from second VPMN 104 to HPMN 204.
  • LUP 802 is sent by second VPMN 104 after inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to (or is forced to attempt to) register with second VPMN 102.
  • the registration cancellation message is a sent from HPMN HLR 210 to cancel the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 with first VPMN 102.
  • detection unit 228 can deduce inbound roaming mobile station 202 is attempting to register with second VPMN 102.
  • the registration cancellation message is a sent from HPMN HLR 210 to cancel the registration of inbound roaming mobile station 202 with first VPMN 102.
  • system 200 (in FIG. 2) also includes an anti-TR unit (not shown in Fig. 2) for countering TR attempt by the HPMN based on one or more acknowledge messages sent by HPMN 204 in response to the one or more registration messages from the first VPMN.
  • the one or more registration messages are one or more fake LUP messages 806.
  • the acknowledge message is a LUP reject error message 808.
  • the examples of error in the LUP reject error include system failure, unexpected data value (UDV), missing data and the like.
  • the acknowledge message is a LUP abort error message.
  • the ITR module 226 continues to send one or more fake LUP messages 806 until a successful LUP transaction is completed or a threshold (e.g. TO) is reached.
  • the ITR module 226 sends these fake LUP messages 806 on behalf of inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • the HPMN 204 sends a LUP reject error 810 to second VPMN 104.
  • the ITR module 226 decides whether to apply Anti-TR using the anti-TR unit or abandon the ITR attempt.
  • the acknowledge message can contain either a UDV, RNA or RR or system failure or missing data or any other error as the attribute.
  • the LUP reject error 808 contains the UDV (which is an IR 73 compliant TR error) from a dedicated HPMN GT after the fake LUP message 806, the ITR module may abandon the current ITR attempt. In other words, no more subsequent fake LUP messages 806 will be made on inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • a HPMN GT is considered dedicated for TR using UDV, if it is the only GT used for sending UDV in a TR solution.
  • the anti-TR unit i.e. anti-non-compliant TR solution
  • the anti-TR unit is referred to as anti-non-compliant TR solution in a VPMN if the anti-TR unit is only applied to non-compliant errors (such as system error and missing values) used by a HPMN TR solution.
  • the integrated ITR and Anti-TR solution works for both active monitoring and passive monitoring mode.
  • the ITR mechanism is modified in such a way that, the ITR module 226 immediately retries until a successful transaction or a threshold is reached as it can be deduced that the HPMN 204 is applying TR on inbound roaming mobile station 202. In this case, current ITR attempt may be abandoned.
  • This solution works for both active and passive mode ITR.
  • the decision to abandon the ITR might be concluded only after RNA is received in acknowledge message for a configurable number of successive times of the fake LUP messages 806 on inbound roaming mobile station 202.
  • OTA based case may be dealt independently by the anti-TR unit since it does not have to be tied with location update.
  • the ITR attempt can be combined with GLR technology.
  • FIG. 9 represents a system diagram implementing or complimenting the ITR using a GLR technology, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the system 900 includes a GLR 902 deployed in a hosting location by an international SS7 carrier or a common carrier 904 for multiple VPMN operators.
  • Exemplary VPMN operators are VPMN 1 906, VPMN 2 908, VPMN 3 910 and VPMN 4 912.
  • the participating operators can even be from the same country.
  • GLR 902 is configured to only route transactions of those inbound roamers from the HPMN that are doing TR against them.
  • GLR 902 stores profile of inbound roaming mobile station 202 when HPMN 204 is detected performing a TR by monitoring actively the receipt of the first registration cancellation message between HPMN 204 and first VPMN 102.
  • the profile of a successful registration is stored locally for a configurable interval of time so to avoid subsequent location update with the HPMN within the VPMN or even back to the VPMN again.
  • the GLR 902 cancels its local profile in addition to the local profile in the real VPMN VLR.
  • the GLR 902 cancels the real VLR profile while still maintaining the roamer profile at the GLR as long as the configurable interval of time for the profile is not expired.
  • the inbound roamer can register using the roamer profile from GLR 902 without performing the location update with the HPMN network.
  • GLR 902 continues to issue fake LUP messages (i.e., the one or more registration messages from first VPMN 102) to the HPMN until the location update is successful.
  • the fake LUP messages are sent accordingly the global title corresponding to the VPMN network where the inbound roamer is currently located. Since the handset is already registered, GLR 902 can issue each successive fake LUP message at any configurable interval without worrying the handset state.
  • FIG. 10 represents a flow diagram for performing ITR attempt to counter an ITR attempt from a competitor network, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the case where an ITR module is also deployed at second VPMN 104 in addition to the ITR module 226 at first VPMN 102, is considered.
  • first VPMN 102 When inbound roaming mobile station 202 attempts to register with first VPMN 102, first VPMN 102 sends a LUP message 1002 to HPMN HLR 210. Thereafter, HPMN HLR 210 sends a Cancel Location message 1004 to VLR of second VPMN 104. The ITR module in second VPMN 104 sends a fake LUP message 1006 to HPMN HLR 210. Thereafter, HPMN HLR 210 sends a LUP abort/ system failure message 1008 to first VPMN 102. Upon receiving the error message 1008, ITR module can infer the presence of another ITR module at second VPMN 104.
  • ITR module 226 sends fake LUP message 1010 three or more times in succession to defeat the competitor ITR mechanism and when the mobile handset is trying another location attempt, there will be a successful transaction recorded at the HPMN HLR 210 since the competitor ITR mechanism perceives the handset in a manual mode or the second VPMN has no coverage, thereby avoiding the ITR from the competitor.
  • a computer usable medium provided herein includes computer usable program code, which when executed controls the traffic of an inbound roaming mobile station between a first VPMN, a second VPMN and a HPMN by detecting a possible change in registration of the inbound roaming mobile station upon receipt of a first registration cancellation message of one or more registration cancellation messages at the first VPMN from the HPMN.
  • the computer usable medium further includes computer usable program code for attempting to redirect the traffic to the first VPMN by sending one or more registration messages from the first VPMN to the HPMN subsequent to receipt of the one or more registration cancellation messages from the HPMN.
  • one or more registration messages are sent within a first pre-defined interval of time (TO) till one registration message is recorded as a successful transaction. Further, for all registration cancellation messages received in current attempt to redirect the inbound roaming mobile station to the first VPMN, the one or more registration messages are sent either within a second pre-defined interval of time (T1) and/or a re-registration threshold number of times.
  • TO pre-defined interval of time
  • T1 second pre-defined interval of time
  • the Inbound Traffic redirection System can be used by a VPMN operator to retain departing inbound roamers attempting to register at competitor networks due to bad coverage or blind spots of the VPMN operator.
  • the Inbound Traffic redirection System can also be used by a VPMN operator against those HPMN operators that turned down the request to disclose that they deploy traffic redirection against the VPMN operator or applying non-compliant TR methods.
  • the ITRS may be used by the VPMN operator to prevent against a possible ITR attempt from a competitor VPMN network.
  • the ITRS can also be used to stop the leaking of inbound roaming traffic to the competing VPMN operator doing inbound traffic redirection.
  • the detection aspect of the ITRS will also help the VPMN operator prepare business impact and rescue actions.
  • the components of ITRS described above include any combination of computing components and devices operating together.
  • the components of the ITRS can also be components or subsystems within a larger computer system or network.
  • the ITRS components can also be coupled with any number of other components (not shown), for example other buses, controllers, memory devices, and data input/output devices, in any number of combinations.
  • any number or combination of other processor based components may be carrying out the functions of the ITRS.
  • the various components disclosed herein may be described using computer aided design tools and/or expressed (or represented), as data and/or instructions embodied in various computer- readable media, in terms of their behavioral, register transfer, logic component, transistor, layout geometries, and/or other characteristics.
  • Computer-readable media in which such formatted data and/or instructions may be embodied include, but are not limited to, non-volatile storage media in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media) and carrier waves that may be used to transfer such formatted data and/or instructions through wireless, optical, or wired signaling media or any combination thereof.
  • non-volatile storage media in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media) and carrier waves that may be used to transfer such formatted data and/or instructions through wireless, optical, or wired signaling media or any combination thereof.
  • the present invention may also be effectively implemented on CDMA, 3G, WCDMA, GPRS, WiFi, WiMAX, VOIP etc., or any other network of common carrier telecommunications in which end users are normally configured to operate within a "home" network to which they normally subscribe, but have the capability of also operating on other neighboring networks, which may even be across international borders.
  • IRS Inbound Traffic redirection System
  • Inbound Traffic redirection System - a method for controlling traffic between HPMN, first VPMN and second VPMN of the inbound roaming mobile station in a manner that is agnostic to the capabilities of the visited or non-accustomed network can be of use and provided through any type of telecommunications medium, including without limitation: (i) any mobile telephony network including without limitation GSM, 3GSM, 3G, CDMA, WCDMA or GPRS, satellite phones or other mobile telephone networks or systems; (ii) any so-called WiFi apparatus normally used in a home or subscribed network, but also configured for use on a visited or non-home or non-accustomed network, including apparatus not dedicated to telecommunications such as personal computers, Palm-type or Windows Mobile devices,; (iii) an entertainment console platform such as Sony Playstation, PSP or other apparatus that are capable of sending and receiving telecommunications over home or non-home networks, or even (iv) fixed-line devices made for receiving communications, but capable of deployment in numerous locations while preserving a persistent subscribe
  • this specification follows the path of a telecommunications call from a calling party to a called party.
  • that call can be for a normal voice call, in which the subscriber telecommunications equipment is also capable of visual, audiovisual or motion-picture display.
  • those devices or calls can be for text, video, pictures or other communicated data.
  • GSM 1111 SIM and Mobile Interface
  • GSM 902 on MAP specification Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) Mobile Application Part (MAP) Specification (3GPP TS 09.02 version 7.9.0 Release 1998)
  • SMS Short Message Service
  • GSM 23119 Gateway Location Register
  • GSM 408 Mobile Radio Interface Network Layer

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système qui permet de réguler le trafic entrant d'une station mobile itinérante entre un premier réseau mobile public visité ('Visiting Public Mobile Network' ou VPMN), un second VPMN et un réseau mobile public mère ('Home Public Mobile Network' ou HPMN). Le système de l'invention comprend une unité de détection qui détecte un possible changement dans l'enregistrement de la station mobile itinérante entrante dans un second VPMN, à la réception par le premier VPMN d'un premier message d'annulation d'enregistrement parmi un ou plusieurs messages d'annulation d'enregistrement en provenance du réseau mère HPMN. Le système de l'invention comprend en outre une unité de redirection qui tente de rediriger le trafic de la station mobile itinérante entrante vers le premier réseau VPMN en envoyant un ou plusieurs messages d'enregistrement du premier VPMN au réseau HPMN, après avoir reçu un ou plusieurs messages d'annulation d'enregistrement en provenance du HPMN. Pour chaque message d'annulation d'enregistrement reçu, un ou plusieurs messages d'enregistrement sont envoyés dans un premier intervalle de temps prédéfini (T0) jusqu'à ce qu'un message d'enregistrement soit enregistré comme transaction réussie. En outre, pour tous les messages d'annulation d'enregistrement reçus lors d'une tentative en cours de redirection de la station mobile itinérante entrante vers le premier VPMN, tous les messages d'enregistrement sont envoyés dans un second intervalle de temps prédéfini (T1) et/ou un nombre de fois fixé comme nombre seuil de ré-enregistrements.
PCT/US2006/013686 2005-04-12 2006-04-12 Systeme permettant de rediriger le trafic entrant WO2006110833A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2006800208249A CN101204102B (zh) 2005-04-12 2006-04-12 入境通信重定向系统
EP06758312A EP1974555A4 (fr) 2005-04-12 2006-04-12 Systeme permettant de rediriger le trafic entrant
IL186645A IL186645A0 (en) 2005-04-12 2007-10-14 Inbound traffic redirection system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67091405P 2005-04-12 2005-04-12
US60/670,914 2005-04-12

Publications (2)

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WO2006110833A2 true WO2006110833A2 (fr) 2006-10-19
WO2006110833A3 WO2006110833A3 (fr) 2007-02-22

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EP (1) EP1974555A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN101204102B (fr)
IL (1) IL186645A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006110833A2 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA200709713B (fr)

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EP1938628A2 (fr) * 2005-09-30 2008-07-02 Roamware, Inc. Systeme d'opposition au reacheminement du trafic entrant
WO2008078338A2 (fr) * 2006-12-25 2008-07-03 Bharti Telesoft Ltd. Procédé de retenue contrôlée d'une station mobile entrante et systèmes associés

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EP1938628A2 (fr) * 2005-09-30 2008-07-02 Roamware, Inc. Systeme d'opposition au reacheminement du trafic entrant
EP1938628A4 (fr) * 2005-09-30 2009-09-30 Roamware Inc Systeme d'opposition au reacheminement du trafic entrant
WO2008057472A1 (fr) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-15 Roamware, Inc. Procédé et système de fourniture de services d'itinérance à des abonnés itinérants sortants au moyen d'un enregistreur de localisation passerelle de réseau mère
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WO2008078338A3 (fr) * 2006-12-25 2008-08-28 Bharti Telesoft Ltd Procédé de retenue contrôlée d'une station mobile entrante et systèmes associés

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1974555A2 (fr) 2008-10-01
CN101204102A (zh) 2008-06-18
ZA200709713B (en) 2009-05-27
WO2006110833A3 (fr) 2007-02-22
IL186645A0 (en) 2009-02-11
CN101204102B (zh) 2011-07-27
EP1974555A4 (fr) 2009-08-05

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