WO2012083054A1 - Dynamic retail discount and rating mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for mobile communication where a gateway facilitates stimulation of a roamer to generate revenue by offering retail discounts that are updated dynamically. The gateway uses a monitoring module to monitor signaling of an outbound roamer of a home network at a visiting network. The gateway further uses a rule module to determine one or more discounts that are applicable to the outbound roamer. The gateway further uses a messaging module to communicate the discounts to the outbound roamer.

Description

DYNAMIC RETAIL DISCOUNT AND RATING MECHANISM

Related Application Data

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

61/423,491 entitled "DYNAMIC RETAIL DISCOUNT AND RATING FOR OUTBOUND ROAMING AND LOCAL USAGE" filed on December 15, 2010. This application is also related to U.S. Patent No. 7,072,651 entitled "Method and System For Cellular Network Traffic Redirection" issued on July 4, 2006, and U.S. Patent No. 7,743,763 entitled "Dynamic Generation of Camel Subscription Information For Outbound Roamers" issued on June 22, 2010. The entirety of each of the aforementioned patents and patent applications is

incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to mobile communications. More specifically, the invention relates to proactively stimulating outbound roamers and local subscribers to perform revenue generating activities.

Background of the Invention

Roaming traffic contribute a significant percentage of an operator's revenue and even a better percentage of the operator's margin. With increasing competition and regulatory control, operators are coming more under pressure to increase their roaming revenue. Clearly increased call, SMS and data activities in roaming will help operators achieve this goal.

Several roaming applications today facilitate in stimulating outbound roaming revenue generation activities. One of such application sends marketing messages to outbound roamers that offer loyalty awards, introduce roaming plans and teach roamers how to make international calls. It helps in some extent increase roaming usage. Another service is missed call alerts for outbound and roamers. This will encourage roamers calling back. However, for roamers that do not have any missed calls or are already getting calls with caller ID, this approach is not effective.

All of the above-mentioned applications offer a fixed type of solution to stimulate the outbound roaming, irrespective of the context of the subscriber. For example, in case a subscriber comes to a roaming network for the first time for a very short time period and is not able to use roaming services for a longer period of time, then offering him some type of loyalty award offer will not have much great impact. In accordance with the foregoing, there is a need in the art of a system, a method, for creating a solution that gives an operator the ways to deal with above-mentioned problems and should be able to offer the roaming subscribers discounts while roaming.

Summary

The present invention is directed to a method and system for mobile communication where a gateway facilitates stimulation of a roamer to generate revenue by offering retail discounts that are updated dynamically. The gateway uses a monitoring module to monitor signaling of an outbound roamer of a home network at a visiting network. The gateway further uses a rule module to determine one or more discounts that are applicable to the outbound roamer. The gateway further uses a messaging module to communicate the discounts to the outbound roamer. In another aspect the present invention is directed towards a solution framework that has a rule-based logic where multiple conditions can be associated with subscribers and operators and actions can be any time-bound awards associated with subscriber activities. The dynamic discounts are offered to subscribers based on various criteria such as time of day, network load etc. Further, these discounts can be generically applied to both roaming and local market subscribers. Brief Description of Drawings

In the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers identify similar elements or acts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for implementing Dynamic Discount for Outbound Roamers (DDOR) service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a flowchart depicting method for providing the DDOR services to subscribers, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 represents a flow diagram for creating Camel relay / USSD discount markings for prepaid roamer using the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 represents a flow diagram for creating Camel profile for a postpaid roamer using the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 represents a flow diagram for Camel relay discount markings for postpaid roamer using the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Descriptio In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified, so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to "one aspect" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic, described in connection with the aspect, is included in at least one aspect of the present invention. The appearance of the phrase "in an aspect", in various places in the specification, does not necessarily refer to the same aspect. The present invention is directed towards a method and system for mobile communication where a gateway simulates outbound roamers to generate revenue activities (e.g. calls, SMS, data etc) by dynamically offering discount retail roaming price based on roamers meeting some criteria or conditions. This service of offering dynamic discounts is hereinafter, interchangeably referred to as, Dynamic Discount for Outbound Roamers (DDOR) service. The gateway temporarily overrides the normal roaming plans of the roamers with these offers. Furthermore, the gateway communicates these offers to outbound roamers via short messages (SMS). More importantly, these offers are implemented without home operators or visiting operators requiring any changes on their existing infrastructure elements.

The present innovation provides solutions to handle the dynamic discounts in the billing processes by offering time bound awards including discount retail pricing (and other awards) that are dynamically varied based on subscriber's conditions (e.g. roamer usage information). The solution framework is rule based where the many conditions can be associated with subscribers and operators, and actions can be many time-bound awards associated with subscriber activities. The basic idea focuses on stimulating an outbound roamer' s (or local subscriber) mobile activities with a time bound award such as temporary discount plan (e.g. 20% discount in the next 2 hours) and rating it accordingly when the roamer performs some mobile activities during the period of the discount plan.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for implementing the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. A subscriber 102 of HPMN 104 (from home country) is roaming in a VPMN 106 (from visiting country). The subscriber 102 is connected to a VPMN VLR 108, when it is roaming outside HPMN 102. Hence, subscriber 102 is an outbound roamer for HPMN 102. In one aspect of the invention, VPMN VLR 108 is integrated with a VMSC in VPMN 106. Notwithstanding, both VPMN VLR and VMSC may have different logical addresses. Subscriber profile data corresponding to subscriber 102 is stored in HPMN HLR 1 10. The signaling corresponding to subscriber 102 is routed using an international STP 1 112 at VPMN 106 and international STP 2 114 at HPMN 104. The signaling between HPMN 104 and VPMN 106 is carried using SS7 signaling architecture 116. The signals exchanged between HPMN 104 and VPMN 106 are MAP based signals. Other network elements of HPMN 104 (e.g., MSC/VLR) communicate with various other network elements of VPMN 106 (e.g., HLR, VLR etc.) via the SS7 link. It will also be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various components of HPMN 104 communicate with VPMN 106 using various signaling techniques including, but not limited to, SS7, SIP, IP, ISUP etc.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, VPMN VLR 108 interacts with international STP 2 1 14 via a switch / roaming STP 1 18. The roaming STP 118 is further connected to DDOR module 120. The DDOR module / platform further consists of a monitoring module 122, a rule module 124, a messaging module 126, a Camel / USSD relay module 128, and a billing module 130. The monitoring module 122 is probe that tracks the signaling of outbound roamer 102 that is visiting in VPMN 106. The rule module 124 determines one or more discounts that are applicable to the outbound roamer. Rule module 124 processes the rules that offer multi-level discounts to an outbound roamer (or local subscriber) based on the roamer / subscriber's profile and activities. The message module 126 communicates these discounts to outbound roamer 102. The CAMEL / USSD relay module 128 handles the Camel or USSD relay messages and applies certain discount markers to enable the DDOR service for outbound roamer 102. The billing module 130 is a discount retail processing module that handles postpaid retail discount TAP reconciliation and filtering process.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, DDOR service can apply multiple level of stimulation for the outbound roamers or subscribers. All these stimulations are controlled by rules or actionable intelligence consisting of conditions and actions of the outbound roamers. Some of such conditions include, but not limited to, profiles of customers, network conditions, usages etc. Some of such actions include, but not limited to, notifications, discounts, coupons, group on, loyalty points, mileages, commerce offers, club memberships and so on.

In one aspect of the present invention, the DDOR service may start with a normal message of tariff advice, and then offer some small discounts and gradually deeper discounts, depending on usage and the subscriber's profile. For usual communication without real-time discounts, no CAMEL or USSD interaction is required. The time bound awards are given based on the outbound roamer' s activities. For example, if outbound roamer 102 makes a call next for 2 hours, then the DDOR service entitles him for a one-time business-class lounge use at an airport. Another award example could be, if a local subscriber makes a call within the next hour, he can get a 10% discount for a haircut. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that though this present invention explains the dynamic discount in a roaming environment, the DDOR service is equally applicable for local subscribers and various other types of awards and discounts.

FIG. 2 represents a flowchart depicting method for providing the DDOR services to subscribers, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. At step 202, the monitoring module 122 monitors the signaling of outbound roamer 102 roaming from HPMN 104 to VPMN 106. Thereafter, at step 204, the rule module 124 determines one or more discounts that are applicable to outbound roamer 102. Finally, at step 206, the messaging module 126 communicates the discounts to outbound roamer 102 via SMS, USSD message and the like. In case the outbound roamer is prepaid, then a Camel agreement between HPMN 104 and VPMN 106 is necessary. For a prepaid roamer with a camel profile, the camel interaction between VPMN 106 and HPMN 104 is relayed through DDOR module 120. The type of CAMEL profiles (e.g. MO-call, MT-call, SMS, GPRS etc) that can be created on particular type of VPMN 106's network elements (e.g. VLR or SGSN) depend on the type of CAMEL agreement (e.g. phase 1, 2, 3 or 4 etc) between HPMN 104 and VPMN 106.

Moreover, since the CAMEL interactions between HPMN 104 and VPMN 106 for outbound roamer 102 are relayed though the DDOR platform 120, the DDOR 120 gains more information about roamer 102's historical activities (such as call, SMS, data usages and movement etc) and roamer 102's profile (prepaid, postpaid, heavy user, low user, 3G, blackberry or iphone, frequent travelers etc.). Accordingly, the DDOR module 120 offers dynamic discounts based on some rules. For example, if roamer 102 is a prepaid roamer with little usage in the last 6 hours, DDOR module 120 offers roamer 102 a 20% discount on calls made in the next 2 hours. This stimulates the roamer 102 to make calls. These rules enable rating to override the existing roaming plans. The rules are very flexible, allowing all types of discounts to be offered. For example, if the roamer is postpaid, and made more than 5 calls in the last 5 hours, DDOR service then offers 50% discounts on calls made in the next 3 hours. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that above-mentioned cases are merely examples only to demonstrate the logic behind these rules and many such rules can be used to offer a variety of discounts / awards to the roamers.

Since an outbound roamer cannot control on incoming calls, SMS and data to him/her, in general, in the following description refers to the MO-activities by outbound roamers. However, it should be noted this generic idea can also be applied to MT -camel profiles of these outbound roamers.

FIG. 3 represents a flow diagram for creating Camel / USSD discount markings for prepaid roamer using the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. In case the outbound roamer 102 is a prepaid CAMEL outbound roamer, then the DDOR module 120 dynamically rates the outbound roamer 102's MO-activities in real-time by pre- fixing the called number of a MO-call with a marker. The DDOR module 120 can also do this by prefixing the recipient number of a MO-SMS with a marker or by modifying the APN of a data activity when the solution is relaying the camel InitialDP messages from VPMN 106 to HPMN 104. It only requires HPMN 104's SCP to be configured for different discount rates corresponding to the different prefixes, without changing any internals.

Many operators support prepaid roamers only with USSD service. The above-explained Camel relay solution can similarly work for USSD based solution. Instead of having a Camel relay, there is a USSD relay. The DDOR module 120 modifies the called number in USSD relay message (similar to Camel relay) to follow the prefix idea for various discount schemes.

In case the outbound roamer 102 is postpaid, since the retail pricing is handled offline then in such case the DDOR module 120 applies the discount by checking the times of the TAP activities when VPMN 106 passes the wholesale settlement information (e.g. TAP files) to HPMN 104. There is no need for camel profile creation for such outbound roamers. It can just be running though all TAP records against the discount times in the DDOR solution. However, the DDOR service offers an alternative to postpaid roamers by creating a marker in the TAP records from VPMN 106 so that a filter can be used to simplify the billing process. This alternative approach requires creating a Camel profile for a postpaid roamer.

FIG. 4 represents a flow diagram for creating camel profile for a postpaid roamer using the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. As shown, the DDOR module 120 uses the monitoring module 122 to probe the location update from the outbound roamer 102 towards the HPMN HLR 1 10. Thereafter, the DDOR module 120 sends an ISD message with Camel profile for the outbound roamer to create a Camel profile at VPMN VLR 108.

Once the Camel profile is created, then DDOR module applies discount markings. FIG. 5 represents a flow diagram for creating Camel relay discount markings for postpaid roamer using the DDOR service, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The DDOR module 120 receives the IDP message from VPMN VLR 108. In response to it, the DDOR module 120 send a Connect message with marker to identify the discount type applicable for the outbound roamer 102. The DDOR module 120 dynamically rates the outbound roamer 102's MO-activities by either:

a) redirecting the MO-call via an HPMN number and then re-synch the routing back to the original called number at HPMN 104.

b) redirecting the MO-SMS via a HPMN number and then re-synch the routing back to the original recipient number at HPMN 104.

c) redirecting the MO-GPRS via a home APN name and then re-synch the routing back to the original APN at the HPMN 104. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that DDOR module 120 can use different home numbers or APN names for applying different discount rates. In this way, when VPMN 106 passes the wholesale settlement information (e.g. TAP files) to HPM 104, the home network can use the home numbers or APN names in TAP records for the reconciliation with the CDR generated from the DDOR platform, in order to apply the discounted rating on the original number or APN by the outbound roamer 102. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that since MO-SMS and data pass through HPMN 104, the Camel profile and their associated interactions are not required for the same approach to be implemented for MO-SMS and data discounts. In accordance with various aspect of the present invention, the DDOR platform can be deployed in the charging path of outbound roamers in order to dynamically apply discount either real-time or offline. The DDOR platform is also applicable to non-roaming markets as it has a rule-based framework where the conditions can be: subscriber profiles, network conditions, subscriber usage, operator offering available such as coupon, loyalty, group on, commerce opportunities, handset type etc. The actions can be any types including loyalty, new discount plans, time bound dynamic discounts, club memberships, coupons, group on opportunities etc.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, that the present invention can also be applied to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)/ American National Standards Institute # 41 D (ANSI-41D), IMS/SIP, WiFi and Wimax and future IP networks, in particular to SAE/LTE with policy control function and diameter protocols; and various other technologies such as, but not limited to, VoIP, WiFi, 3GSM and inter-standard roaming. In one exemplary case, a CDMA outbound roamer travels with an HPMN CDMA handset. In another exemplary case, the CDMA outbound roamer travels with an HPMN GSM SIM and a GSM handset. In yet another exemplary case. GSM outbound roamer travels with an HPMN CDMA RUIM and a CDMA handset. To support these variations, system 100 will have a separate SS7 and network interfaces, corresponding to both the HPMN and VPMN networks. It will also be apparent to a person skilled in the art that these two interfaces in different directions may not have to be the same technologies. Moreover, there could be multiple types of interface in both directions. An exemplary list of the mapping between GSM MAP and ANSI-41D is described in the table below as a reference.

SRI LOCATION REQUEST

ForwardSMS SMSDPP

ReadyForSMS SMSNOTIFICATION

AlertServiceCenter SMSNOTIFICATION

ReportSMSDelivery SMDPP

ProvideRoamingNumber ROUTING REQUEST

The present invention can take the form of an entirely hardware aspect, an entirely software aspect, or an aspect containing both hardware and software elements. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, software, including but not limited to, firmware, resident software, and microcode, implements the invention.

Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer program product, accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by, or in connection with, a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk - read only memory (CDROM), compact disk - read/write (CD-R/W) and Digital Versatile Disk (DVD).

The components of present system described above include any combination of computing components and devices operating together. The components of the present system can also be components or subsystems within a larger computer system or network. The present system components can also be coupled with any number of other components (not shown), such as other buses, controllers, memory devices, and data input/output devices, in any number of combinations. In addition, any number or combination of other processor-based components may be carrying out the functions of the present system.

It should be noted that 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.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of "including, but may not be limited to." Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above," "below," and words of similar import refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the word "or" is used in reference to a list of two or more items, it covers all of the following interpretations: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

The above description of illustrated aspects of the present system is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present system to the precise form disclosed. While specific aspects of, and examples for, the present system are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present system, as those skilled in the art will recognize. The teachings of the present system provided herein can be applied to other processing systems and methods. They may not be limited to the systems and methods described above. The elements and acts of the various aspects described above can be combined to provide further aspects. These and other changes can be made in light of the above detailed description. Other Variations

Provided above for the edification of those of ordinary skill in the art, and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention, are detailed illustrations of a scheme for proactive roaming tests, discoveries of roaming partner services and discoveries of frauds in roaming using simulated roaming traffic. Numerous variations and modifications within the spirit of the present invention will of course occur to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the aspects that have been disclosed. For example, the present invention is implemented primarily from the point of view of GSM mobile networks as described in the aspects. However, the present invention may also be effectively implemented on GPRS, 3G, CDMA, WCDMA, WiMax 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. The examples under the system of present invention detailed in the illustrative examples contained herein are described using terms and constructs drawn largely from GSM mobile telephony infrastructure. However, use of these examples should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to those media. The system and method 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 subscriber id such as the eye2eye devices from Dlink; or telecommunications equipment meant for voice over IP communications such as those provided by Vonage or Packet8.

In describing certain aspects of the system under the present invention, this specification follows the path of a telecommunications call, from a calling party to a called party. For the avoidance of doubt, such a call can be a normal voice call, in which the subscriber telecommunications equipment is also capable of visual, audiovisual or motion- picture display. Alternatively, those devices or calls can be for text, video, pictures or other communicated data.

In the foregoing specification, specific aspects of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and the figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur, or to become more pronounced, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims.

APPENDIX

CC Country Code

CDMA Code Division Multiplexed Access

CdPA Called Party Address

CgPA Calling Party Address

CLI Calling Line Identification

CSD Circuit Switched Data

CSI Camel Subscription Information

DPC Destination Point Code

ERB CAP Event Report Basic call state model

FPMN Friendly Public Mobile Network

FTN Forward-To-Number

GLR Gateway Location Register

GMSC Gateway MSC

GMSC-F GMSC in FPMN

GMSC-H GMSC in HPMN

GPRS General Packet Radio System

GSM Global System for Mobile

GSM SSF GSM Service Switching Function

GsmSCF GSM Service Control Function

GT Global Title

HLR Home Location Register

HLR-F FPMN HLR

HLR-H HPMN HLR

HPMN Home Public Mobile Network

GTT Global Title Translation

IAM Initial Address Message

IDP Initial DP IN/CAP message

IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity

IMSI-H HPMN IMSI

IN Intelligent Network

INAP Intelligent Network Application Part

INE Interrogating Network Entity

IP Internet Protocol

ISC International Service Carrier

ISD MAP Insert Subscriber Data

ISG International Signal Gateway

1STP International STP

ISTP-F ISTP connected to FPMN STP

ISTP-H ISTP connected to HPMN STP

ISUP ISDN User Part

ITR Inbound Traffic Redirection

IVR Interactive Voice Response

LU Location Update

LUP MAP Location Update

MAP Mobile Application Part MCC Mobile Country Code

MCC Mobile Country Code

ME Mobile Equipment

MGT Mobile Global Title

MMS Multimedia Message Service

MMSC Multimedia Message Service Center

MMSC-F FPMN MMSC

MMSC-H HPMN MMSC

MNC Mobile Network Code

MO Mobile Originated

MSC Mobile Switching Center

MSISDN Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number

MSISDN-F FPMN MSISDN

MSISDN-H HPMN MSISDN

MSRN Mobile Station Roaming Number

MSRN-F FPMN MSRN

MSRN-H HPMN MSRN

MT Mobile Terminated

MTP Message Transfer Part

NDC National Dialing Code

NP Numbering Plan

NPI Numbering Plan Indicator

O-CSI Originating CAMEL Subscription Information

ODB Operator Determined Barring

OTA Over The Air

|>J<]\j MAP Provide Roaming Number

PSI MAP Provide Subscriber Information

RI Routing Indicator

RNA Roaming Not Allowed

RR Roaming Restricted due to unsupported feature

RRB CAP Request Report Basic call state model

SCCP Signal Connection Control part

SCP Signaling Control Point

SCP-H HPMN SCP

SG Signaling Gateway

SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node

SGSN-F FPMN SGSN

SIM Subscriber Identity Module

SME Short Message Entity

SM-RP-UI Short Message Relay Protocol User Information

SMS Short Message Service

SMSC Short Message Service Center

SMSC-F FPMN SMSC

SMSC-H HPMN SMSC

SPC Signal Point Code SRI MAP Send Routing Information

SRI-SM MAP Send Routing Information For Short Message ss Supplementary Services

SS7 Signaling System #7

SSN Sub System Number

SSP Service Switch Point

STK SIM Tool Kit Application

STP Signal Transfer Point

STP-F FPM STP

STP-H HPMN STP

TCAP Transaction Capabilities Application Part

T-CS1 Terminating CAMEL Service Information

TP SMS Transport Protocol

TR Traffic Redirection

TT Translation Type

UD User Data

UDH User Data Header

UDHI User Data Header Indicator

USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data

VAS Value Added Service

VLR Visited Location Register

VLR-F FPMN VLR

VLR-H HPMN VLR

VLR-V VPMN VLR

VMSC Visited Mobile Switching Center

VMSC-F FPMN VMSC

VMSC-H HPMN VMSC

VMSC-V VPMN VMSC

VPMN Visited Public Mobile Network

ATI Access Transport Information

USI User Service Information

WAP Wireless Access Protocol

RIS Roaming Intelligence System

EU European Union

GTP GPRS Tunnel Protocol

BOIC Barring Outgoing International Calls

BOIC-Ex-Home Barring Outgoing International Calls except to home country

SoR Steering of Roaming

CSD Call, SMS and Data

Technical References, each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein: 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)

GSM 378 CAMEL Architecture, Release 1998

GSM 978 CAMEL Application Protocol, Release 1998 GSM 340 on SMS

Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+);

Technical realization of the Short Message Service (SMS);

(GSM 03.40 version 7.4.0 Release 1998) Q1214-Q1218 on Intelligent Networks

Q701-704 on SS7 MTP

Q71 1-Q714 on SS7 SCCP

TD.35 NRTRDE Format for Fraud information

FF.18 NRTRDE Business Requirements

ETSI CS domain charging documents: TS 12.05, TS 32.005, TS 32.205, TS 32.298

ETSI PS domain charging documents: TS 12.15, TS 32.015, TS 32.215, TS 32.298

ETS 300 374-1 Intelligent Network (IN); Intelligent Network Capability Set 1 (CSl); Core Intelligent Network Application Protocol (INAP); Part 1 : Protocol specification

EN 301 140-1 Intelligent Network (IN); Intelligent Network Application Protocol (INAP); Capability Set 2 (CS2); Part 1 : Protocol specification Jiang DCG-1 2005 Dynamic originating CAMEL approach for Implementing Call Control Services for Inbound Roamers. US Patent filing, 60/658,278

Jiang DCG-0 2005 Dynamic originating CAMEL approach for Implementing Call Control Services for Outbound Roamers, US patent filing 60/657,798.

Jiang 2005 Anti-Steering Patent Filing

Jiang 2005 Anti-Anti-Steering, Patent filing

Jiang 2005 Inbound Traffic Steering, Patent filing

Jiang 2005 Anti-inbound traffic steering from HPMN and VPMN, Patent filing Jiang et al 2003 [TR 2003] Cellular Network Traffic Redirection David Gillot, John Jiang, [RIS 2007] Roaming Intelligence System David Gillot and John Jiang [RTRDE 2007] Real time roaming data exchange

John Jiang [PI 2007] A single operator and network side solution for inbound and outbound roaming tests and discoveries of roaming partner services and frauds without involving remote probes or real roamer traffic - Phase 1 GSM 379 on CAMEL Support of Optimal Routing (SOR)

GSM 318 Basic Call Handling

GSM 23018 Basic Call Handling

GSM 23081 Line identification service GSM 231 16 Super Charger Function ITU-T Recommendation Q.1214 (1995), Distributed functional plane for intelligent network CS-1;

ITU-T Recommendation Q.1218 (1995), Interface Recommendation for intelligent network CS-1 ;

ITU-T Recommendation Q.762 (1 99), Signaling system No. 7 - ISDN user part general functions of messages and signals; ITU-T Recommendation Q.763 (1999), Signaling system No. 7 - ISDN user part formats and codes;

ITU-T Recommendation Q.764 (1999), Signaling system No. 7 - ISDN user part signaling procedures;

ITU-T Recommendation Q.766 (1993), Performance objectives in the integrated services digital network application;

ITU-T Recommendation Q.765 (1998), Signaling system No. 7 - Application transport mechanism;

ITU-T Recommendation Q.769.1 (1999), Signaling system No. 7 - ISDN user part enhancements for the support of Number Portability BA 19 GSMA RAEX on AA 14 and IR 21

FF 17 International Revenue Share Fraud

Claims

Claims

1) A system for mobile communication, the system comprising:

a monitoring module configured to monitor signaling of an outbound roamer of a home network at a visiting network;

a rule module configured to determine one or more discounts applicable to the outbound roamer; and

a messaging module for communicating the discounts to the outbound roamer.

2) The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a Customized Application for Mobile Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) relay module configured to change a CAMEL Initial Destination Point (DP) Intelligent Network (IN)/CAMEL Application Part (CAP) message (IDP) message with markers that identify when discounts are to be applied to the outbound roamer;

wherein the outbound roamer is a prepaid roamer.

3) The system of claim 2, wherein the CAMEL relay module inserts a prefix to the called number on a mobile originated (MO) call by the prepaid outbound roamer, wherein the prefix corresponds to the discount that is applied for the prepaid outbound roamer.

4) The system of claim 2, wherein the camel relay module inserts a prefix to the called number on MO Short Message Service (MO-SMS) by the prepaid outbound roamer, wherein the prefix corresponds to the discount that is applied for the prepaid outbound roamer.

5) The system of claim 2, wherein the camel relay module inserts a new APN name on data by the prepaid outbound roamer, where the new APN name corresponds to the discount that is applied for the prepaid outbound roamer. 6) The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a billing module configured to process the discounts applicable for the outbound roamer depending on the outbound roamer's usages.

7) The system of claim 6, wherein the billing module reconciles the TAP records with discount times in a retail process for a postpaid outbound roamer.

8) The system of claim 1 , wherein a CAMEL relay module dynamically creates a CAMEL profile for a postpaid inbound roamer that has no CAMEL profile.

9) The system of claim 8, wherein the CAMEL relay module sends a connect message to create a marker for the postpaid outbound roamer.

10) The system of claim 9, wherein the marker is a special home number for MO-Call for the CAMEL connected number.

1 l) The system of claim 9, wherein the marker is a special home number for MO-SMS for the CAMEL connected number.

12) The system of claim 9, wherein the marker is a special APN name for data for the CAMEL connected APN.

13) The system of claim 9, wherein a billing module involves filtering the marker of the TAP files sent by the visited network to the home network.

14) The system of claim 13, wherein the billing module applies the discount on the filtered TAP records for the retail process.

15) A method for mobile communication, the system comprising:

facilitating, via a gateway, monitoring signaling of an outbound roamer of a home network at a visiting network; the gateway further determining one or more discounts applicable to the outbound roamer; and

the gateway further communicating the discounts to the outbound roamer.

16) The method of claim 15 further comprising changing CAMEL IDP message with markers that identify when discounts are to be applied to the outbound roamer, wherein the outbound roamer is a prepaid roamer.

17) The method of claim 15 further comprising:

processing the discounts applicable for the outbound roamer depending on the outbound roamer' s usages.

18) The method of claim 17, wherein processing the discounts comprises reconciling the TAP records with discount times in the retail process for a postpaid outbound roamer.

19) The method of claim 15 further comprising:

dynamically creating a CAMEL profile for a postpaid inbound roamer.

20) The method of claim 19, wherein creating the CAMEL profile comprises sending a connect message to create a marker for the postpaid inbound roamer.

21) The method of claim 20, wherein the marker is a special home number for MO-Call for the CAMEL connected number.

22) The method of claim 20, wherein the marker is a special home number for MO- SMS for the CAMEL connected number.

23) The method of claim 20, wherein the marker is a special APN name for data for the CAMEL connected APN. 24) The method of claim 15 further comprising:

filtering the marker of the TAP files sent by the visit network to the home network.