WO2008066439A2

WO2008066439A2 - Seamless configuration of mobile equipment with virtual subscription in wireless networks outside the home network

Info

Publication number: WO2008066439A2
Application number: PCT/SE2007/000961
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Eriksson; Krister TÖRNQVIST
Original assignee: Teliasonera Ab
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: SE0602560L; WO2008066439A3

Abstract

Procedure for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment (201) for telecommunication, where the user equipment (201 ) is provided with a first subscription (202) belonging to a first network (203), which procedure includes the steps: Identification (102) of a second network (206) when the user equipment (201) moves to this second network (206), and connection (106) of the first subscription (202) with a second subscription (208) belonging to the second network (206), which second subscription (208) is included in a defined series (209) of subscriptions belonging to the second network ((206), of which series (209) the operator of the first network (203) disposes. Computer program product (3021 302n) which can be loaded directly into the internal memory of a digital computer (3001,..., 30On), including software code sections to execute the steps according to the above mentioned procedure when said product (302, 302n) is run on said computer (3001,...,30On). Telecommunications system for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment (201 ), including a user equipment (201 ) which is provided with a first subscription (202) belonging to a first network (203) and includes a mobile equipment (204), where the telecommunication system includes identification device (205) for identification of a second network (206) when the user equipment (201 ) moves to this network (206), and connection device (207) for connection of the first subscription (202) with a second subscription (208) belonging to the second network (206), which second subscription (206) is included in one in the telecommunication system defined series (209) of subscriptions belonging to the second network (206).

Description

SEAMLESS CONFIGURATION OF MOBILE EQUIPMENT WITH VIRTUAL SUBSCRIPTION IN WIRELESS NETWORKS OUTSIDE THE HOME NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a procedure for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment for telecommunication, where the user equipment is provided with a first subscription belonging to a first network, and to a telecommunication system for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment, including a user equipment which is provided with a first subscription belonging to a first network and includes a mobile equipment.

PRIOR ART

Today it is expensive for subscribers to make and receive mobile telephone calls in foreign networks when the user is abroad, that is, when the user is roaming, because the costs of roaming is debited the subscriber's account. Concurrently with it is becoming cheaper for the user to make and receive mobile telephone calls in his/her home network, the roaming costs, when the subscriber makes and receives mobile telephone calls in foreign networks, will be an increasingly pronounced part of the user's total costs for calls. The user also may experience it as trying and not userfriendly to roam in foreign networks, because services which are provided when the user and his/her user equipment is in its home network are not provided at all, or are presented in a different way when the subscriber is in the foreign network.

A subscriber's user equipment, UE, is a combination of the mobile equipment, ME, such as a user terminal, mobile telephone etc., and the mobile subscriber identity, IMSI, SIM, USIM etc.

ME, in form of conventional mobile telephones, supports to a great extent a software called SIM Application Toolkit, SAT, which is located on the user's SIM-card. SAT is a set of commands which defines how the SIM-card shall interact with the surroundings and extends the communication protocol between the SIM-card and ME. By SAT, the SIM-card has a proactive role in ME, that is, the SIM-card initiates commands independent of ME and the network. In 2G-networks, SAT is defined in the GSM 11.14-standard. After that, GSM 11.14 has been replaced by 3GPP 31.111 , which standard also includes specifications of USIM Application Toolkit, USAT, for 3G- networks. US 2005/0070278 A1 describes a procedure and a device for mobile communication in a plurality of mobile communication networks. Embodiments include installation of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) in a mobile communication terminal, where SIM includes at least one IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) and at least one MSISDN-number (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Service Digital Network). SIM is used by the user to receive and make calls while the user is in the user's home network and while the user is roaming in another network, by the use of a home- MSISDN-number or a local MSISDN-number.

WO 2004/075598 A1 describes a communication system including a mobile terminal with a SIM and an IMSI, a first MSISDN-number for use in a first mobile network, a second MSISDN-number for use in a second mobile network, and at least one gateway connected between the first and second mobile network, at which the gateway connects calls between SIM and the first mobile network by use of the first MSISDN-number, and connects calls between SIM and the second mobile network by use of the second MSISDN-number.

US 2005/0277407 A1 describes a procedure and device to provide a mobile subscriber with access to "non-subscriber- services" via the use of a virtual mobile telephone number. The procedure includes the steps that a service server receives a service request from a user terminal, that it is determined if the user of the terminal is subscriber to the mobile service, that it is requested that the user is provided with a virtual number if he/she is not a subscriber, that the virtual number is received from the user terminal, that a corresponding service is provided if the received virtual number is verified, and that the cost of the use of the mobile service is debited the virtual number. EP 1 049 348 B1 describes a procedure to provide a service selection for a user terminal, where said service selection is updated automatically and dynamically by the network operator, in a completely transparent way, to the user in real time, as a function of at least one data element which represents the user's behaviour, at which the service selection is presented in form of an updated list of services which corresponds to the known or accepted request made by the user, at which said service selection is updated by means of a distant remote loading technology which belongs to the group including WAP/HDML-technology, SMS-technology, and " SIM Application Toolkif-technology, in such a way that the network operator, which operates remotely with the terminal, can modify the service selection in real time and without the user intervening by means of said remote loading technology.

DE 103 12 759 A1 describes a procedure for direct routing of calls to a mobile telephone user being abroad in a foreign network, at which the home network is allocated a temporary number instead of the subscriber in the foreign network. The actual connection between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber is provided directly, by means of the temporary number, so that the home network no longer need to participate in the actual connection to the called subscriber, provided that the calling subscriber himself/herself is not in the called subscriber's home network and the calling with the temporary number of the called subscriber is executed from this home network.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to facilitate for a subscriber to make and receive mobile telephone calls when the subscriber and his/her subscriber equipment is in other networks than in its home network, such as foreign networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned aim of the present invention is achieved by providing a procedure of the in the introduction mentioned kind, with the in the patent claim 1 indicated characteristics, and by providing a telecommunication system of the in the introduction mentioned kind with the in the characterizing part of the patent claim 15 indicated characteristics.

By the present invention a seamless configuration of UE is achieved which drastically facilitates the subscriber's mobile communication when he/she is in foreign mobile networks and not in his/her home network. In addition the subscriber's costs of mobile communication, when he/she communicates via foreign mobile networks, is reduced. Advantageously, the operator of the first network has at its disposal the stipulated series of subscriptions belonging to the second network.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention, a connection of transmission device, such as a gateway, is made to the second subscription, for routing of calls and/or services between the first and the second network. Advantageously, user equipment is connected to said transmission device at the connection of the first and second subscription. By this is achieved that it appears to the subscriber as if he/she is in his/her home network with his/her home subscription inclusive caller id, in spite of that the subscriber is in another network. The first network then advantageously can be configured in such a way that when the subscriber's user equipment is in the other network, the subscriber to other users yet seems to be a local user in the first network. By the operator of the first network having at its disposal said series of subscriptions belonging to the second network and said transmission device, for instance in the form of a gateway, the subscriber's calls can, after Least Cost Routing algorithm, if any, be switched over to the gateway, by means of change of prefix, possibly by utilizing DTMF-signaling. The call can be routed to the first network (the home network) over SIP/IP in order to after that be connected in the first network.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention, the first network is provided with such a forwarding device, such as a proxy, that the first subscription receives calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, and these are forwarded to the subscriber's user equipment when this is in the second network.

According to other advantageous embodiments of the procedure according to the present invention, said connection of the first and second subscription is deactivated when the subscriber's user equipment leaves the second network, and/or after a certain period of time and/or by at least one configuration message which can come from the subscriber or the operator of the first network.

According to other advantageous embodiments of the procedure according to the present invention, at least one step of the steps identification, connection, routing and deactivation is executed by means of SIM Application Toolkit, SAT.

Further advantageous embodiments of the procedure according to the present invention will be evident from the dependent patent claims.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the telecommunication system according to the present invention, the subscriber's user equipment is arranged to utilize the first subscription for authentication towards the second network.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the telecommunication system according to the present invention, the system includes connection device, routing device and transmission device, where the connection device is arranged to connect the transmission device to the second subscription, and the routing device is arranged to route calls and/or services between the first and second network via said transmission device. Advantageously, said transmission device includes a gateway between the first and the second network which the operator of the first network has at its disposal. Advantageously, the connection device is arranged to connect the subscriber's user equipment to said transmission device at the connection of the first and second subscription.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the telecommunication system according to the present invention, the system includes one in the first network arranged forwarding device arranged in such a way that the first subscription receives calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, and these are forwarded to the subscriber's user equipment when this is in the second network.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the telecommunication system according to the present invention, the system includes a network configuration device arranged to configure the first network in such a way that when the subscriber's user equipment is in the second network, the subscriber to other users yet appears as a local user in the first network.

According to other advantageous embodiments of the telecommunication system according to the present invention, the system includes deactivation device for deactivation of said connection of the first and second subscription when the subscriber's user equipment leaves the second network and/or after a certain period of time and/or by at least one configuration message.

According to other advantageous embodiments of the telecommunication system according to the present invention, at least one device of the identification device, the connection device, the routing device and the deactivation device is implemented by means of SIM Application Toolkit, SAT. The devices preferably can be implemented in ME and/or in the mobile subscriber identity, such as the SIM-card.

Further advantageous embodiments of the telecommunication system according to the present invention will be evident from the dependent patent claims. The above mentioned aim of the present invention is further achieved by providing at least one computer program product according to the independent patent claim 30.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention now, for exemplifying purposes, will be described more in detail by means of examples of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the telecommunication system according to the present invention; and

Figure 3 schematically shows a view of one embodiment of the computer program product according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Abbreviations IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity

ME Mobile Equipment

MSC Mobile Switching Centre

MSISDN Mobile Subscriber Integrated Service Digital Network

PLMN Public Land Mobile Network SAT SIM Application Toolkit

SIM Subscriber Identity Module

UE User Equipment

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

Figure 1 shows a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the procedure for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment for telecommunication according to the present invention, where the user equipment is provided with a first subscription in form of a first SIM, also called home subscription, belonging to a first mobile network, also called home network. The first network is provided, at 101 , with such a forwarding device, proxy, that the first subscription receives calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, and these are forwarded to the subscriber's user equipment when this is in a second mobile network. The second network, for instance a foreign network, is detected and identified, at 102, by UE when UE moves to the second network. The subscriber's UE uses the first SIM for authentication, at 103, towards the second network. An application arranged on the SIM-card of the UE detects information, at 104, from the second network about which adjustments of the UE that need to be made for use in the second network, and executes this adjustments. Said identification of a second network or a configuration message from the operator of the first network, or the subscriber as such, initiates an application, at 105, stored on the SIM-card of the UE, which application performs a connection, at 106, of the first SIM with a second subscription in form of a second SIM, a so called virtual subscription, belonging to the second network, which second SIM is included in a defined series of subscriptions belonging to the second network, of which series the operator of the first network disposes. At the connection, at 106, of the first and second SIM, transmission device in form of a gateway, at 107, is connected to the second SIM for routing of calls and/or services between the first and second network. Calls and/or services from the first network to the first SIM are routed, at 108, to the second network and the subscriber's UE by said transmission device, and/or calls and/or services from the subscriber's UE to the first network are routed, at 109, to the first network via said transmission device. When the subscriber's UE leaves the second network, and/or after a certain period of time, and/or by a least one configuration message, said connection of the first and second SIM is deactivated, at 110, and the UE returns to "normal state".

The steps of identification, connection, routing and deactivation are preferably executed by means of SAT. The first network is configured in such a way that when the subscriber's UE is in the second network, the subscriber yet, to other users, appears as a local user in the first network.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the telecommunication system for configuration of a subscriber's UE according to the present invention. The system includes a UE 201 which is provided with a first subscription 202, in form of a first SIM 202, belonging to first mobile network 203, such as a GSM-network, 3G-network etc., and includes a ME 204, a user terminal, which supports SAT. The system includes one in the first SIM 202 arranged identification device 205 for identification of a second mobile network 206, such as a GSM-network, 3G-network etc., when UE 201 moves to this second network 206. The system further includes a connection device 207 for connection of the first SIM 202 with a second subscription 208, in form of a virtual second SIM 208, belonging to the second network 206, which second SIM 208 is included in one in the system defined series 209 of subscriptions belonging to the second network 206, of which series 209 the operator of the first network 203 disposes. The connection device 207 is arranged in such a way that the connection of the first and second SIM 202,208 is initiated at the identification of the second network 206 by the identification device 205, and/or by at least one configuration message. UE 201 includes said connection device 207 which in its turn includes an application 210 stored on the SIM-card 202 of the UE, which application 210 is arranged to execute said connection of the first and second SIM 202,208, at which the identification of the second network 206 by the identification device 205, or said configuration message, initiates said application 210. The subscriber's UE 201 is arranged to utilize the first SIM 202 for authentication towards the second network 206. The system further includes connection device 211 , routing device 212, and transmission device 213, in form of a gateway 213, where the connection device 21 1 is arranged to connect the gateway 213 to the second SIM 208, and the routing device 212 is arranged to route calls and/or services between the first and second network 203,206 via the gateway 213. The connection device 211 is arranged to connect the subscriber's UE to the gateway 213 at the connection of the first and second SIM 202,208. The routing device 212 is arranged in such a way that calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, from the first network 203 to the first SIM 202 are routed to the second network 206 and the subscriber's UE via the gateway 213 and/or arranged in such a way that calls and/or services from the subscriber^'s UE to the first network 203 are routed to the first network 203 via the gateway 213. The system includes one in the first network 203 arranged forwarding device 214 arranged so that the first SIM 202 receives calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, and these are forwarded to the subscriber's UE 201 when this is in the second network 206. The system includes network configuration device 215 arranged to configure the first network 203 in such way that when the subscriber's UE is in the second network 206, the user to other users yet appears to be a local user in the first network 203. The system includes deactivation device 216 for deactivation of said connection of the first and second SIM 202,208-subscription when the subscriber's user equipment leaves the second network. The identification device 205, the connection device 207, the routing device 211 , and the deactivation device 216 are implemented by means of SAT. By means of SAT, UE 201 can modify call identities in such a way that it to the subscriber appears as if the calls are managed by the first SIM 202. By adding suitable prefix to keyed telephone numbers, the call can be routed in a seamless way via the gateway 213.

In Figure 3 a schematic picture of some computer program products according to the present invention is shown. In Figure 3, n different digital computers 300!,...,30O_n, where n is an integer, are shown, and n different computer program products 302-ι,...,302_n, here shown in form of CDs. The different computer program products 302_!,...,302_H, can be loaded directly into the internal memory of the n different digital computers 300_!,...,30O_n, where a digital computer 30O₁ 30O_n can be constituted by a ME. Each computer program product 302_!,...,302_H includes software code sections to execute some, or all, steps of the procedure according to Figure 1 when the product/products 302_! 302_n are run on said computer 300i 30O_n. The computer program products 302^...,302_H can, for instance, be in form of diskettes, RAM-disks, magnetic tape, opto-magnetic disks, or any other suitable products.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It will be evident to experts in the field that a large number of different modifications are possible within the scope of the following patent claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Procedure for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment for telecommunication, where the user equipment (201) is provided with a first subscription (202) belonging to a first network (203), which procedure includes the following steps: identification (102) of a second network (206) when the user equipment (201 ) moves to this second network (206); connection (106) of the first subscription (202) with a second subscription (208) belonging to the second network (206), which second subscription (208) is included in a defined series (209) of subscriptions belonging to the second network (206), which defined series (209) is at the disposal of the operator of the first network (203).

2. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 1, characterized in that said connection (106) of the first and second subscription (202,208) is initiated at said identification (102) of the second network (206).

3. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said connection (106) of the first and second subscription (202,208) is initiated by at least one configuration message.

4. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said identification (102) of a second network (206) or said configuration message initiates (105) an application stored on the mobile subscriber identity (202) of the user equipment (201 ), which application (210) executes said connection (106) of the first and second subscription (202,208).

5. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) uses the first subscription (202) for authentication (103) towards the second network (206).

6. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 5, characterized in connection (107) of transmission device (213) to the second subscription (208) for routing (108,109) of calls and/or services between the first and second network (203,206).

7. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 6, characterized in that the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) is connected to said transmission device (213) at the connection (106) of the first and second subscription (202,208).

8. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 6 or 7, characterized in that calls and/or services from the first network (203) to the first subscription (202) is routed (108) to the second network (206) and the subscriber's user equipment (201) via said transmission device (213), and/or calls and/or services from the subscriber's user equipment (201) to the first network (203) are routed (109) to the first network (203) via said transmission device (213).

9. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first network (203) is provided (101) with such a forwarding device (214) that the first subscription (202) receives calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, and these are forwarded to the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) when this is in the second network (206).

10. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 9, characterized in deactivation (110) of said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) when the subscriber's user equipment (201) leaves the second network (206).

11. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 10, characterized in deactivation (110) of said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) after a certain period of time.

12. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 11, characterized in deactivation (110) of said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) by at least one configuration message.

13. Procedure as claimed in any of the patent claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one step of the steps identification (102), connection (106), routing (108,109) and deactivation (110) are executed by means of SIM Application Toolkit, SAT.

14. Telecommunication system for configuration of a subscriber's user equipment (201), including a user equipment (201) which is provided with a first subscription (202) belonging to a first network (203) and includes a mobile equipment (204), at which the telecommunication system in addition includes connection device (207) for connection of the first subscription (202) with a second subscription (208) belonging to a second network (206), characterized in that the telecommunication system includes identification device (205) for identification of the second network (206) when the user equipment (201) moves to this second network (206), and that the second subscription (208) is included in one in the telecommunication system defined series (209) of subscriptions belonging to the second network (206), which defined series (209) is at the disposal of the operator of the first network (203).

15. Telecommunication system as claimed in patent claim 14, characterized in that said identification device (205) is arranged in the user equipment (201).

16. Telecommunication system as claimed in patent claim 14 or 15, characteri z e d in that the connection device (207) is arranged in such a way that the connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) is initiated at the identification of the second network (206) by the identification device (205).

17. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 16, c h aracterizedin that the connection device (207) is arranged in such a way that the connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) is initiated by a least one configuration message.

18. Telecommunication system as claimed in patent claim 16 or 17, characteri z e d in that the user equipment (201 ) includes said connection device (207) which in its turn includes an application (210) stored on the mobile subscriber identity (202) of the user equipment (201), which application (210) is arranged to execute said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208), and that identification of a second network (206) by the identification device (205), or said configuration message, initiates said application (210).

19. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 18, c h aracterizedin that the subscriber's user equipment (210) is arranged to utilize the first subscription (202) for authentication towards the second network (206).

20. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 19, c h aracterizedin that the system includes connection device (211), routing device (212), and transmission device (213), where the connection device (211) is arranged to connect the transmission device(213) to the second subscription (208), and routing device (212) is arranged to route calls and/or services between the first and second network (203,206) via said transmission device (213).

21. Telecommunication system as claimed in patent claim 20, characterized in that the connection device (210) is arranged to connect the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) to said transmission device (213) at the connection of the first and second subscription (202,208).

22. Telecommunication system as claimed in patent claim 20 or 21 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the routing device (212) is arranged in such a way that calls and/or services from the first network (203) to the first subscription (202) are routed to the second network (206) and the subscriber's user equipment (201) via said transmission device (213), and/or arranged in such a way that calls and/or services from the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) to the first network (203) are routed to the first network (203) via said transmission device (213).

23. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 22, c h aracterizedin that the system includes one in the first network (203) arranged forwarding device (214) arranged in such a way that the first subscription (202) receives calls and/or other services, such as SMS and MMS, and these are forwarded to the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) when this is in the second network (206).

24. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 23, c h aracterizedin that the system includes deactivation device (216) for deactivation of said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) when the subscriber's user equipment (201 ) leaves the second network (206).

25. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 24, c h aracterizedin that the system includes deactivation device (216) for deactivation of said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) after a certain period of time.

26. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 25, c h aracterizedin that the system includes deactivation device (216) for deactivation of said connection of the first and second subscription (202,208) by at least one configuration message.

27. Telecommunication system as claimed in any of the patent claims 14 to 26, c h aracterizedin that at least one device of the identification device (205), the connection device (207), the routing device (212), and the deactivation device (216) is implemented by means of SIM Application ToolKit, SAT.

28. At least one computer program product (302i,...,302_n) which can be loaded directly into the internal memory of at least one digital computer (300i,...,30O_n) including software code sections to execute the steps according to any of the patent claims 1 to 13 when said at least one product (302_! 302_n) is run on said at least one computer (30O₁ 30O_n).