WO2013171380A1 - A method and system for allowing a mobile terminal to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources - Google Patents

A method and system for allowing a mobile terminal to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013171380A1
WO2013171380A1 PCT/FI2013/050535 FI2013050535W WO2013171380A1 WO 2013171380 A1 WO2013171380 A1 WO 2013171380A1 FI 2013050535 W FI2013050535 W FI 2013050535W WO 2013171380 A1 WO2013171380 A1 WO 2013171380A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mobiie
network
terminai
imsi
server
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2013/050535
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Petteri Holma
Original Assignee
Siptronix Oy
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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siptronix Oy filed Critical Siptronix Oy
Publication of WO2013171380A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013171380A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/50—Service provisioning or reconfiguring
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/12—Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
    • H04W4/14—Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/60—Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/18—Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
    • H04W8/183—Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Definitions

  • This inv ention reIates to aIIowing a mobiIe terminaI to use internet services and optimizing use of network resources according to the preambIe of cIaim 1.
  • the present inv ention is directed to the methods, apparatus, and systems which enabIe a mobiIe data service provider to offer mobiIe data services for end customers using IocaI mobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) in muItipIe mobiIe networks in severaI countries, without an opportunity to controI in mobiIe networks whether the data transfer is aIIowed or not for each mobiIe subscription identities.
  • IMSI IocaI mobiIe subscription identities
  • the mobiIe data services purchased by end customers can be any type, pre- or postpaid with continuous or non-continuous contracts for short or Iong periods, the commonaIity being that the service provider offering mobiIe data services can controI whether the service is enabIed or disabIed in a specific end customer' s mobiIe terminaI, more particuIarIy in a subscriber identity moduIe (SIM), which has been provided by the service provider to the end customer as a part of the contract and which is attached to the end customer' s mobiIe terminaI.
  • SIM subscriber identity moduIe
  • the prior art becomes cIumsy when there is a pooI of subscription identities (IMSI) from sev eraI different mobiIe operators, which are remoteIy distributed (IMSIs are Ioaded and unIoaded based on need) by the service provider between subscription identity moduIes (SIM) of end customers. More practicaI soIution is to enabIe/disabIe data service per each subscription identity moduIe (SIM), meaning a singIe subscription identity moduIe (SIM) carry so caIIed controI subscription (IMSI) with no data service as weII as data subscriptions (sev eraI IMSI) with data services enabIed. By doing this way the service provider does not hav e to switch data on and off through mobiIe operators' network services from whom the mobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) hav e been obtained.
  • IMSI subscription identity moduIe
  • IMSI mobiIe subscription identity
  • the inv ention is directed to consumers who wish to benefit of using a singIe subscription identity moduIe (SIM) in muItipIe countries and benefit of a IocaI pricing of mobiIe data.
  • SIM singIe subscription identity moduIe
  • the inv ention is aIso directed to mobiIe virtuaI network operators (MVNO) who wouId Iike to expand their service networks cost efficientIy to sev eraI countries.
  • MVNO mobiIe virtuaI network operators
  • An object of the present inv ention is to provide methods, apparatus and systems that enabIe service provider providing mobiIe data services in muItipIe countries to hav e cost efficient way to controI (enabIe and disabIe) its' end customers' mobiIe data services.
  • system according to the inv ention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of cIaim 12.
  • the methods, apparatus and systems of the present inv ention provide the foIIowing key advantages.
  • the end customers wiII benefit of Iower pricing of mobiIe data and reIated services because service providers offering the services are abIe to purchase mobiIe data capacity direct from IocaI mobiIe operators without middIe men.
  • mobiIe data connection can be estabIished automaticaIIy from a mobiIe terminaI to an information serv er by sending an SMS-type of command to mobiIe terminaI, in more detaiIed to a subscription identity moduIe (SIM) of the mobiIe terminaI.
  • SIM subscription identity moduIe
  • the SMS-type command instructs an appIication on the subscription identity moduIe (SIM) to switch to another mobiIe subscription identity (IMSI), which has data service enabIed.
  • SIM subscription identity moduIe
  • IMSI mobiIe subscription identity
  • FIG. 1 shows an exampIe of a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present inv ention and an arrangement of mobiIe device, serv er and reIated database in the system.
  • FIG. 2a and 2b shows different kind of arrangements of mobiIe device (e.g. connected consumer eIectronics device, mobiIe phone or Iaptop PC) in accordance with one embodiment of the inv ention.
  • mobiIe device e.g. connected consumer eIectronics device, mobiIe phone or Iaptop PC
  • FIG. 3 shows a fIow chart of steps executed ov er a network, e.g. a mobiIe communication network, between a mobiIe device and server for enabIing mobiIe data connection in a mobiIe device.
  • FIG. 4 shows a fIow chart of steps executed ov er a network, e.g. a mobiIe communication network, between a mobiIe device and server for disabIing mobiIe data connection in a mobiIe device.
  • FIG. 5 and 6 show fIow charts of steps executed ov er a network, e.g. a mobiIe communication network, between a mobiIe device and server in case a mobiIe device is reporting the currentIy activ e IMSI to server when more than one mobiIe device initiated IMSI switch has been made prior the reporting.
  • a network e.g. a mobiIe communication network
  • FIG. 1 shows an exampIe of a configuration of mobiIe data service according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an arrangement of a mobiIe device 20 forming part of the system.
  • the user device 20 is connected via a mobiIe communications network or other network (e.g. Wi-Fi network) 50 to a service information server 60 of a mobiIe data service provider 10.
  • a service information server 60, accounting server 70 and database server 80 are connected to each other via a network e.g. IP network.
  • Service information serv er 60, accounting server 70 and database server 80 can be integrated into one server around mobiIe data service provider 10 or some or aII of them may reside as separate units.
  • Service provider 10 may be thought of as the mainframe Iinking aII servers.
  • By number 30 is referred to the home operator network of the mobiIe device 20.
  • FIG. 2a and 2b shows two different arrangements of a mobiIe device 20.
  • the mobiIe device 20 incIudes aIways a processor 25, a memory device 24, a subscription identity moduIe (SIM) 27, a battery 28 and a network interface 26 incIuding a transceiv er to communicate with mobiIe data service provider 10 ov er mobiIe communications network 50.
  • a mobiIe device may aIso incIude a user interface 21 incIuding a dispIay and an input device (e.g. keyboard).
  • the subscription identity moduIe (SIM) is used to store mobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) and their reIated keys.
  • MobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) can be remoteIy Ioaded (and unIoaded) by mobiIe data service provider 10 to subscription identity moduIes.
  • FIG.3 shows an exempIary fIow chart of the program executed by the mobiIe data service provider 10 and mobiIe device 20, through the communication network 50 for enabIing data connection in the mobiIe device 20.
  • the serv er receiv e s a command to enabIe data connection in a mobiIe device 20.
  • the command receiv ed by the server may hav e been initiated from sev eraI sources e.g. from the mobiIe device itseIf e.g. via a SMS- type of message or through a WiFi network/internet.
  • the data connection is enabIed by remoteIy Ioading an IMSI, which has data service aIready enabIed in the mobiIe network, to SIM of a mobiIe device and force the mobiIe device to choose that IMSI as a new activ e IMSI.
  • the IMSI being as an activ e IMSI on the SIM of the mobiIe device before new IMSI is Ioaded does not hav e data service enabIed in the mobiIe network.
  • the mobiIe data service (server) 10 sends a mobiIe country code (MCC) query to mobiIe device 20.
  • MCC mobiIe country code
  • the query is sent by SMS-type of message to the Iast known mobiIe station network number (MSISDN).
  • MSISDN Iast known mobiIe station network number
  • the query is receiv ed in a mobiIe device, which Iistens avaiIabIe country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes of avaiIabIe networks and reports them back to the server at step 204 via an SMS-type of message or through any other avaiIabIe connection/network.
  • the server receiv es the codes (MCC and MNC) and seIects IMSI which matches to the reported networks to be sent at step 106 to the mobiIe device 20.
  • the mobiIe dev ice 20 receiv es the IMSI and stores it to the memory and/or SIM moduIe together with reIated network authentication keys which were sent as a part of the message at step 106.
  • the mobiIe device sets the newIy receiv ed IMSI activ e on the SIM and connects with that IMSI and reIated network credentiaIs to the mobiIe network 50. As the new IMSI has data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side, the appIications of the mobiIe device have access to internet services.
  • FIG. 4 shows an exempIary fIow chart of the program executed by the mobiIe data service provider 10 and mobiIe device 20, through the communication network 50 for disabIing data connection in the mobiIe device 20.
  • the server receiv es a command to disabIe data connection in a mobiIe device 20.
  • the command receiv ed by the server may hav e been initiated from sev eraI sources e.g. from the mobiIe device itseIf e.g. via a SMS- type of message or through a WiFi network/internet.
  • the data connection is disabIed by sending a command to mobiIe device 20, which instructs the mobiIe device to seIect another IMSI as activ e IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side. That IMSI may hav e been aIready stored in the SIM of the mobiIe device.
  • the server sends a data service deactivation message to the Iast known mobiIe station network number (MSISDN).
  • MSISDN Iast known mobiIe station network number
  • the process for reporting an activ e mobiIe station network number (MSISDN) being Iinked to an activ e IMSI has been described in detaiIed in FIG 5.
  • a singIe SIM may store sev eraI different IMSIs, which may be seIected automaticaIIy by the internaI Iogic of SIM based on mobiIe network conditions, a reporting process is needed. By having a reporting process in pIace, number of needed SMS-type of messages can be optimized, when the data service is switched off.
  • the mobiIe device receiv es data service switch off command from the server which instructs mobiIe device 20 to choose so caIIed controI IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the network side, as a new activ e IMSI and sign with that IMSI and reIated credentiaIs to a mobiIe network 50.
  • the mobiIe device receiv ed the data switch off command if the number (MSISDN), where server 10 sent the command was correct.
  • the mobiIe device 20 If the number (MSISDN) wasn' t correct the mobiIe device 20 is not abIe to receiv e message from the server 10, switch to another IMSI as instructed by the server in the message and to report succeeded status back to the server at step 104. If the server 10, does not receiv e succeeded receipt back within a predefined time which usuaIIy matches to the aIiv e period of an SMS-type of message it caIIs again step 102 at step 103.
  • step 105 the succeeded receipt is receiv ed at the serv er and the process to disabIe the data connection in a mobiIe terminaI is finished.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exempIary fIow chart of the program executed by the mobiIe data service provider 10 and mobiIe device 20, through the communication network 50 for reporting the activ e IMSI to the serv er 10 by the mobiIe device 20 which was seIected automaticaIIy by a SIM of the mobiIe device according to its internaI Iogic.
  • a mobiIe device 10 Iistens controI channeIs of a ceIIuIar network and receiv es mobiIe country codes (MCC) and network codes (MNC) of adjacent ceIIs.
  • MCC ceIIuIar network
  • MNC network codes
  • mobiIe device 20 compares receiv ed country and network codes to IMSIs it is storing and recognizes whether new country (and network) codes were found from the network which are not matching to country (and network) codes of stored IMSIs. If a new country code was found from the network, at step 203, the mobiIe device 20 requests a new IMSI with that country code from the server 10.
  • the server 10 receiv es the request from mobiIe station 20 and at step 105 tries to find free IMSIs from its' database with matching country (and network) codes to the request. If a free IMSI, which hasn't been aIIocated to any other mobiIe device was found, it is sent to the mobiIe device 20 together with reIated network keys.
  • mobiIe device 20 receiv es the IMSI and stores it to the SIM.
  • the mobiIe dev ice 20 seIects at step 208 a new IMSI aIready stored on SIM with MCC (and MNC) matching to the new network found.
  • the mobiIe device 20 starts the countdown timer for reporting newIy seIected IMSI and reIated MSISDN back to the server at step 211. If the network is Iost before the timer has expired, at step 210, the timer is set to count from begin at step 208.
  • the mobiIe device 20 reports the activ e IMSI back to the serv er 10, which updates its' database at step 212.
  • the purpose of using timer before reporting automaticaIIy seIected IMSI by the mobiIe device 10 to the server 20, is to optimize / minimize the number of sent controI messages in a cIose border situations the service stiII being functioning perfectIy.
  • FIG. 6 shows a process simiIar to steps 201 - 208 if GPS coordinates are used instead of receiving parameters from a mobiIe network. If GPS coordinates are used, the Iocation of a mobiIe device is reported to the serv er.
  • the server 10 defines which mobiIe networks are avaiIabIe in a reported Iocation based on cov erage maps of mobiIe networks.
  • a new optimum IMSI is seIected from sev eraI avaiIabIe IMSIs where the optimum means price, cov erage and avaiIabIe mobiIe services, but not necessariIy the same MCC and MNC parameters compared to the response receiv ed from the mobiIe terminaI 10.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for allowing a mobile terminal (20) with a SIM to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources by enabling a data connection. The invention is based on receiving by a server (10) a command to enable (101) data connection in a mobile terminal (20), which has an active IMSI which does not have data service enabled in the mobile network, sending (102) a SMS-type mobile country code (MCC) query to the last known mobile station network number (MSISDN) of the mobile terminal (20), after the query is received (203) in a mobile terminal (20), which listens available country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes of available networks, the server (10) receives a report (204) via an SMS-type of message or through any other available connection/network, receiving (105) by the server (10) country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes and selecting a new IMSI which has activated data service and matches to the reported networks to be sent (106) to the mobile terminal (20), sending (207) to the mobile terminal (20) the new IMSI and to be stored to a memory and/or SIM module together with related network authentication keys, whereby the mobile terminal (20) is able to set the newly received IMSI active on the SIM and connect with that IMSI and related network credentials to the mobile network (50), whereby the new IMSI has data service enabled on the mobile network side, the applications of the mobile terminal have access to internet services.

Description

A method and system for aIIowing a mobiIe terminaI to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This inv ention reIates to aIIowing a mobiIe terminaI to use internet services and optimizing use of network resources according to the preambIe of cIaim 1.
More particuIarIy, the present inv ention is directed to the methods, apparatus, and systems which enabIe a mobiIe data service provider to offer mobiIe data services for end customers using IocaI mobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) in muItipIe mobiIe networks in severaI countries, without an opportunity to controI in mobiIe networks whether the data transfer is aIIowed or not for each mobiIe subscription identities.
The mobiIe data services purchased by end customers can be any type, pre- or postpaid with continuous or non-continuous contracts for short or Iong periods, the commonaIity being that the service provider offering mobiIe data services can controI whether the service is enabIed or disabIed in a specific end customer' s mobiIe terminaI, more particuIarIy in a subscriber identity moduIe (SIM), which has been provided by the service provider to the end customer as a part of the contract and which is attached to the end customer' s mobiIe terminaI.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the prior art mobiIe data services are controIIed per each mobiIe subscription identity (IMSI) on the mobiIe network side. In the prior art aIso one subscriber moduIe (SIM) can carry sev eraI mobiIe subscription identities.
The prior art becomes cIumsy when there is a pooI of subscription identities (IMSI) from sev eraI different mobiIe operators, which are remoteIy distributed (IMSIs are Ioaded and unIoaded based on need) by the service provider between subscription identity moduIes (SIM) of end customers. More practicaI soIution is to enabIe/disabIe data service per each subscription identity moduIe (SIM), meaning a singIe subscription identity moduIe (SIM) carry so caIIed controI subscription (IMSI) with no data service as weII as data subscriptions (sev eraI IMSI) with data services enabIed. By doing this way the service provider does not hav e to switch data on and off through mobiIe operators' network services from whom the mobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) hav e been obtained.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
L. IsotaIo discIoses in the European Patent Specification PubIication No. 00936923.2 date of fiIing 12.06.2000, a method in an information service for a mobiIe phone. In the inv ention, the information serv er sends to a mobiIe terminaI an SMS -type of short message, which contains a data connection set-up command instructing the mobiIe terminaI to automaticaIIy estabIish a data connection to the information serv er. Howev er, in L. IsotaIo ' s inv ention it is assumed the data connection has been aIready enabIed on the network side for a mobiIe subscription identity (IMSI), where the SMS-type short message is sent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inv ention is directed to consumers who wish to benefit of using a singIe subscription identity moduIe (SIM) in muItipIe countries and benefit of a IocaI pricing of mobiIe data. The inv ention is aIso directed to mobiIe virtuaI network operators (MVNO) who wouId Iike to expand their service networks cost efficientIy to sev eraI countries.
The inv ention was made because need for Iow cost mobiIe data services is expanding rapidIy and more and more peopIe wouId Iike to afford to use internet services by their mobiIe devices frequentIy aIso abroad.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present inv ention is to provide methods, apparatus and systems that enabIe service provider providing mobiIe data services in muItipIe countries to hav e cost efficient way to controI (enabIe and disabIe) its' end customers' mobiIe data services.
More specificaIIy, the method according to the inv ention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of cIaim 1.
Furthermore, system according to the inv ention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of cIaim 12. The methods, apparatus and systems of the present inv ention provide the foIIowing key advantages. First, the end customers wiII benefit of Iower pricing of mobiIe data and reIated services, because service providers offering the services are abIe to purchase mobiIe data capacity direct from IocaI mobiIe operators without middIe men. The second, the presented system herein simpIifies expanding the service network to new countries and new mobiIe networks, because no integration is needed between the service provider and a new mobiIe operator for enabIing and disabIing of mobiIe data service in the end customers' devices. In the inv ention presented in this appIication, mobiIe data connection can be estabIished automaticaIIy from a mobiIe terminaI to an information serv er by sending an SMS-type of command to mobiIe terminaI, in more detaiIed to a subscription identity moduIe (SIM) of the mobiIe terminaI. The SMS-type command instructs an appIication on the subscription identity moduIe (SIM) to switch to another mobiIe subscription identity (IMSI), which has data service enabIed. By combining this feature with a separate mobiIe appIication which automaticaIIy connects to an information server immediateIy when a data connection is avaiIabIe, simiIar end resuIt is achiev ed than in L. IsotaIo' s inv ention.
With the soIution of the inv ention there is no need to make adjustments to the mobiIe network which the end user is visiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an exampIe of a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present inv ention and an arrangement of mobiIe device, serv er and reIated database in the system.
FIG. 2a and 2b shows different kind of arrangements of mobiIe device (e.g. connected consumer eIectronics device, mobiIe phone or Iaptop PC) in accordance with one embodiment of the inv ention.
FIG. 3 shows a fIow chart of steps executed ov er a network, e.g. a mobiIe communication network, between a mobiIe device and server for enabIing mobiIe data connection in a mobiIe device. FIG. 4 shows a fIow chart of steps executed ov er a network, e.g. a mobiIe communication network, between a mobiIe device and server for disabIing mobiIe data connection in a mobiIe device.
FIG. 5 and 6 show fIow charts of steps executed ov er a network, e.g. a mobiIe communication network, between a mobiIe device and server in case a mobiIe device is reporting the currentIy activ e IMSI to server when more than one mobiIe device initiated IMSI switch has been made prior the reporting.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows an exampIe of a configuration of mobiIe data service according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an arrangement of a mobiIe device 20 forming part of the system. In FIG. 1, the user device 20 is connected via a mobiIe communications network or other network (e.g. Wi-Fi network) 50 to a service information server 60 of a mobiIe data service provider 10. A service information server 60, accounting server 70 and database server 80 are connected to each other via a network e.g. IP network. Service information serv er 60, accounting server 70 and database server 80 can be integrated into one server around mobiIe data service provider 10 or some or aII of them may reside as separate units. Service provider 10 may be thought of as the mainframe Iinking aII servers. By number 30 is referred to the home operator network of the mobiIe device 20.
FIG. 2a and 2b shows two different arrangements of a mobiIe device 20. The mobiIe device 20 incIudes aIways a processor 25, a memory device 24, a subscription identity moduIe (SIM) 27, a battery 28 and a network interface 26 incIuding a transceiv er to communicate with mobiIe data service provider 10 ov er mobiIe communications network 50. A mobiIe device may aIso incIude a user interface 21 incIuding a dispIay and an input device (e.g. keyboard).
The subscription identity moduIe (SIM) is used to store mobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) and their reIated keys. MobiIe subscription identities (IMSI) can be remoteIy Ioaded (and unIoaded) by mobiIe data service provider 10 to subscription identity moduIes. FIG.3 shows an exempIary fIow chart of the program executed by the mobiIe data service provider 10 and mobiIe device 20, through the communication network 50 for enabIing data connection in the mobiIe device 20.
At step 101 shown in FIG. 3, the serv er receiv es a command to enabIe data connection in a mobiIe device 20. The command receiv ed by the server may hav e been initiated from sev eraI sources e.g. from the mobiIe device itseIf e.g. via a SMS- type of message or through a WiFi network/internet. The data connection is enabIed by remoteIy Ioading an IMSI, which has data service aIready enabIed in the mobiIe network, to SIM of a mobiIe device and force the mobiIe device to choose that IMSI as a new activ e IMSI. The IMSI being as an activ e IMSI on the SIM of the mobiIe device before new IMSI is Ioaded does not hav e data service enabIed in the mobiIe network.
At step 102, the mobiIe data service (server) 10 sends a mobiIe country code (MCC) query to mobiIe device 20. The query is sent by SMS-type of message to the Iast known mobiIe station network number (MSISDN). At step 203, the query is receiv ed in a mobiIe device, which Iistens avaiIabIe country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes of avaiIabIe networks and reports them back to the server at step 204 via an SMS-type of message or through any other avaiIabIe connection/network. At step 105, the server receiv es the codes (MCC and MNC) and seIects IMSI which matches to the reported networks to be sent at step 106 to the mobiIe device 20. At step 207, the mobiIe dev ice 20 receiv es the IMSI and stores it to the memory and/or SIM moduIe together with reIated network authentication keys which were sent as a part of the message at step 106. At step 207, the mobiIe device sets the newIy receiv ed IMSI activ e on the SIM and connects with that IMSI and reIated network credentiaIs to the mobiIe network 50. As the new IMSI has data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side, the appIications of the mobiIe device have access to internet services.
FIG. 4 shows an exempIary fIow chart of the program executed by the mobiIe data service provider 10 and mobiIe device 20, through the communication network 50 for disabIing data connection in the mobiIe device 20. At step 101 shown in FIG. 4, the server receiv es a command to disabIe data connection in a mobiIe device 20. The command receiv ed by the server may hav e been initiated from sev eraI sources e.g. from the mobiIe device itseIf e.g. via a SMS- type of message or through a WiFi network/internet. The data connection is disabIed by sending a command to mobiIe device 20, which instructs the mobiIe device to seIect another IMSI as activ e IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side. That IMSI may hav e been aIready stored in the SIM of the mobiIe device.
At step 102, the server sends a data service deactivation message to the Iast known mobiIe station network number (MSISDN). The process for reporting an activ e mobiIe station network number (MSISDN) being Iinked to an activ e IMSI has been described in detaiIed in FIG 5. As a singIe SIM may store sev eraI different IMSIs, which may be seIected automaticaIIy by the internaI Iogic of SIM based on mobiIe network conditions, a reporting process is needed. By having a reporting process in pIace, number of needed SMS-type of messages can be optimized, when the data service is switched off.
At step 203, the mobiIe device receiv es data service switch off command from the server, which instructs mobiIe device 20 to choose so caIIed controI IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the network side, as a new activ e IMSI and sign with that IMSI and reIated credentiaIs to a mobiIe network 50. The mobiIe device receiv ed the data switch off command if the number (MSISDN), where server 10 sent the command was correct. If the number (MSISDN) wasn' t correct the mobiIe device 20 is not abIe to receiv e message from the server 10, switch to another IMSI as instructed by the server in the message and to report succeeded status back to the server at step 104. If the server 10, does not receiv e succeeded receipt back within a predefined time which usuaIIy matches to the aIiv e period of an SMS-type of message it caIIs again step 102 at step 103.
At step 105, the succeeded receipt is receiv ed at the serv er and the process to disabIe the data connection in a mobiIe terminaI is finished.
FIG. 5 shows an exempIary fIow chart of the program executed by the mobiIe data service provider 10 and mobiIe device 20, through the communication network 50 for reporting the activ e IMSI to the serv er 10 by the mobiIe device 20 which was seIected automaticaIIy by a SIM of the mobiIe device according to its internaI Iogic.
At step 201, shown in FIG. 5, a mobiIe device 10, Iistens controI channeIs of a ceIIuIar network and receiv es mobiIe country codes (MCC) and network codes (MNC) of adjacent ceIIs. At step 202, mobiIe device 20 compares receiv ed country and network codes to IMSIs it is storing and recognizes whether new country (and network) codes were found from the network which are not matching to country (and network) codes of stored IMSIs. If a new country code was found from the network, at step 203, the mobiIe device 20 requests a new IMSI with that country code from the server 10. At step 104, the server 10 receiv es the request from mobiIe station 20 and at step 105 tries to find free IMSIs from its' database with matching country (and network) codes to the request. If a free IMSI, which hasn't been aIIocated to any other mobiIe device was found, it is sent to the mobiIe device 20 together with reIated network keys. At step 206, mobiIe device 20 receiv es the IMSI and stores it to the SIM. At step 207, if the mobiIe network for the currentIy activ e IMSI (MCC and MNC codes matching to the network) is Iost, the mobiIe dev ice 20 seIects at step 208 a new IMSI aIready stored on SIM with MCC (and MNC) matching to the new network found. At step 208, the mobiIe device 20 starts the countdown timer for reporting newIy seIected IMSI and reIated MSISDN back to the server at step 211. If the network is Iost before the timer has expired, at step 210, the timer is set to count from begin at step 208. At step 211, the mobiIe device 20 reports the activ e IMSI back to the serv er 10, which updates its' database at step 212. The purpose of using timer before reporting automaticaIIy seIected IMSI by the mobiIe device 10 to the server 20, is to optimize / minimize the number of sent controI messages in a cIose border situations the service stiII being functioning perfectIy.
FIG. 6 shows a process simiIar to steps 201 - 208 if GPS coordinates are used instead of receiving parameters from a mobiIe network. If GPS coordinates are used, the Iocation of a mobiIe device is reported to the serv er. The server 10 defines which mobiIe networks are avaiIabIe in a reported Iocation based on cov erage maps of mobiIe networks.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the inv ention a new optimum IMSI is seIected from sev eraI avaiIabIe IMSIs where the optimum means price, cov erage and avaiIabIe mobiIe services, but not necessariIy the same MCC and MNC parameters compared to the response receiv ed from the mobiIe terminaI 10.

Claims

CIaims 1. A method for aIIowing a mobiIe terminaI (20) with a SIM to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources by enabIing a data connection characterized by receiving by a serv er (10) a command to enabIe (101) data connection in a mobiIe terminaI (20), which has an activ e IMSI which does not hav e data service enabIed in the mobiIe network, if mobiIe country code (MCC) has not been receiv ed earIier by the server (10) from the mobiIe terminaI (20), sending (102) a SMS-type mobiIe country code (MCC) query to the Iast known mobiIe station network number (MSISDN) of the mobiIe terminaI (20), after the query is receiv ed (203) in a mobiIe terminaI (20), which Iistens avaiIabIe country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes of avaiIabIe networks, the server (10) receiv es a report (204) via an SMS-type of message or through any other avaiIabIe connection/network, receiving (105) by the serv er (10) country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes and seIecting a new IMSI which has activated data service, sending (207) to the mobiIe terminaI (20) the new IMSI and to be stored to a memory and/or SIM moduIe together with reIated network authentication keys, whereby the mobiIe terminaI (20) is abIe to set the newIy receiv ed IMSI activ e on the SIM and connect with that IMSI and reIated network credentiaIs to the mobiIe network (50), whereby the new IMSI has data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side, the appIications of the mobiIe terminaI hav e access to internet services.
2. A method in accordance with cIaim 1, characterized in seIecting a new optimum IMSI from sev eraI avaiIabIe IMSIs where the optimum means price, cov erage and avaiIabIe mobiIe services, but not necessariIy the same MCC and MNC parameters compared to the response receiv ed from the mobiIe terminaI (10) in cIaim 1..
3. A method in accordance with cIaim Ior 2, characterized in that IMSI matches to the reported networks to be sent (106) to the mobiIe terminaI (20).
4. A method in accordance with any previous cIaim, characterized in that the command receiv ed by the server (10) has been initiated from sev eraI sources e.g. from another serv er or from the mobiIe terminaI itseIf e.g. via a SMS-type of message or through a WiFi network/internet.
5. A method for disabIing internet services of a mobiIe terminaI (20) by the mobiIe data service provider (10) through a communication network (50) characterized in that - receiving (101) by the server (10) a command to disabIe data connection in a mobiIe terminaI (20), disabIing (102) the data connection by sending a command to mobiIe terminaI (20) to the Iast known mobiIe station (20) network number (MSISDN),which instructs the mobiIe terminaI (20) to seIect another IMSI as activ e IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side, which IMSI may hav e been aIready stored in the SIM of the mobiIe terminaI (20), sending (203) to the mobiIe terminaI (20) a data service switch off command from the server (10), which instructing the mobiIe terminaI (20) to choose so caIIed controI IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the network side, as a new activ e IMSI and sign with that IMSI and reIated credentiaIs to a mobiIe network (50), receiving (104) succeed receipt from the mobiIe terminaI (10) or from the mobiIe network (30 or 50) e.g. from SMS gateway, and if the server (10), does not receiv e succeeded receipt back within a predefined time which usuaIIy matches to the aIiv e period of an SMS-type of message it repeats sending disabIing command (102).
6. A method in accordance with cIaim 5, characterized in that the disabIing command receiv ed by the server may hav e been created and initiated by sev eraI sources e.g. by the server itseIf e.g. using a timer function, or the command may hav e been receiv ed from another server or from the mobiIe device.
7. A method in accordance with cIaim 5 or 6, characterized in that the mobiIe terminaI (10), Iistens controI channeIs of a ceIIuIar network and receiv es mobiIe country codes (MCC) and network codes (MNC) of adjacent ceIIs, mobiIe terminaI (20) compares (202) receiv ed country and network codes to IMSIs it is storing and recognizes whether new country (and network) codes were found from the network which are not matching to country (and network) codes of stored IMSIs, if a new country code was found from the network, the mobiIe terminaI (20) requests (203) a new IMSI with that country code from the server (10), the server (10) receiv es (104) the request from mobiIe station (20) and tries (105) to find free IMSIs from its' database with matching country (and network) codes to the request, if a free IMSI, which hasn't been aIIocated to any other mobiIe terminaI was found, it is sent to the mobiIe terminaI (20) together with reIated network keys, mobiIe terminaI (20) receiv es (206) the IMSI and stores it to the SIM, if the mobiIe network for the currentIy activ e IMSI (MCC and MNC codes matching to the network) is Iost (207), the mobiIe terminaI (20) seIects (208) a new IMSI aIready stored on SIM with MCC (and MNC) matching to the new network found, the mobiIe terminaI (20) starts (208) the countdown timer for reporting (211) newIy seIected IMSI and reIated MSISDN back to the server (10), if the network is Iost before the timer has expired, the timer is set (210) to count from begin (208), the mobiIe terminaI (20) reports (211) the activ e IMSI back to the server (10), which updates (212) its' database for optimizing/minimizing the number of sent controI messages in a cIose border situations the service stiII being functioning perfectIy.
8. A system for aIIowing a mobiIe terminaI (20) with a SIM to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources by enabIing a data connection characterized by means for receiving by a serv er (10) a command to enabIe (101) data connection in a mobiIe terminaI (20), which has an activ e IMSI which does not hav e data service enabIed in the mobiIe network,
- if mobiIe country code (MCC) has not been receiv ed earIier by the serv er (10) from the mobiIe terminaI (20) sending (102) a SMS-type mobiIe country code (MCC) query to the Iast known mobiIe station network number (MSISDN) of the mobiIe terminaI (20) after the query is receiv ed (203) in a mobiIe terminaI (20), which Iistens avaiIabIe country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes of avaiIabIe networks, the server (10) receiv es a report (204) via an SMS-type of message or through any other avaiIabIe connection/network, receiving (105) by the server (10) country (MCC) and network (MNC) codes and seIecting a new IMSI which has activated data service,
- sending (207) to the mobiIe terminaI (20) the new IMSI and to be stored to a memory and/or SIM moduIe together with reIated network authentication keys, whereby the mobiIe terminaI (20) is abIe to set the newIy receiv ed IMSI activ e on the SIM and connect with that IMSI and reIated network credentiaIs to the mobiIe network (50), whereby the new IMSI has data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side, the appIications of the mobiIe terminaI hav e access to internet services.
9. A method in accordance with cIaim 8, characterized by means for in seIecting a new optimum IMSI from sev eraI avaiIabIe IMSIs where the optimum means price, cov erage and avaiIabIe mobiIe services, but not necessariIy the same MCC and MNC parameters compared to the response receiv ed from the mobiIe terminaI (10) in cIaim 8.
10. A system in accordance with cIaim 8 or 9, characterized in that IMSI matches to the reported networks to be sent (106) to the mobiIe terminaI (20).
11. A system in accordance with cIaim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the command receiv ed by the server (10) has been initiated from sev eraI sources e.g. from another serv er or from the mobiIe terminaI itseIf e.g. via a SMS-type of message or through a WiFi network/internet.
12. A system for disabIing internet services of a mobiIe terminaI (20) by the mobiIe data service provider (10) through a communication network (50) characterized in that it incIudes means for
- receiving (101) by the server (10) a command to disabIe data connection in a mobiIe terminaI (20), disabIing (102) the data connection by sending a command to mobiIe terminaI (20) to the Iast known mobiIe station (20) network number (MSISDN),which instructs the mobiIe terminaI (20) to seIect another IMSI as activ e IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the mobiIe network side, which IMSI may hav e been aIready stored in the SIM of the mobiIe terminaI (20), sending (203) to the mobiIe terminaI (20) a data service switch off command from the server (10), which instructing the mobiIe terminaI (20) to choose so caIIed controI IMSI, which does not hav e data service enabIed on the network side, as a new activ e IMSI and sign with that IMSI and reIated credentiaIs to a mobiIe network (50), - receiving (104) succeed receipt from the mobiIe terminaI (10), and if the server (10). does not receive succeeded receipt hack within a predefined time which usuaIIy matches to the aIive period of an SMS-type of message it repeats sending disabIing command (102).
13. A system in accordance with cIaim 12. characterized in that, the disabIing command received by the server may have been created and initiated by severaI sources e.g. by the server itseIf e.g. using a timer function, or the command may have been received from another server or from the mobiIe device.
14. A system in accordance with cIaim 13, characterized in that the mobiIe terminaI (10), Iistens controI channeIs of a ceIIuIar network and receives mobiIe country codes (MCC) and network codes (MNC) of adjacent ceIls, mobiIe terminaI (20) compares (202) received country and network codes to IMS is it is storing and recognizes whether new country (and network) codes were found from the network which are not matching to country (and network) codes of stored IMSIs, if a new country code was found from the network, the mobiIe terminaI (20) requests (203) a new IMSI with that country code from the server (10), the server (10) receives (104) the request from mobiIe station (20) and tries (105) to find free IMSIs from its' database with matching country (and network) codes to the request, if a free IMSI, which hasn' t been aIIocated to any other mobile terminaI was found, it is sent to the mobiIe terminaI (20) together with reIated network keys, mobiIe terminaI (20) receives (206) the IMSI and stores it to the SIM, if the mobile network for the currentIy active IMSI (MCC and MNC codes matching to the network) is Iost (207), the mobiIe terminaI (20) seIects (208) a new IMSI aIready stored on SIM with MCC (and MNC) matching to the new network found, the mobiIe terminaI (20) starts (208) the countdown timer for reporting (211) newIy seIected IMSI and reIated MSISDN back to the server (10). if the network is lost before the ti mer has expired, the timer is set (210) to count from begin (208), the mobile terminal (20) reports (211) the active IMSI back to the server (10), which updates (212) its' database for optimizing/minimizing the number of sent controI messages in a cIose border situations the sendee stiII being functioning perfectIy.
PCT/FI2013/050535 2012-05-16 2013-05-16 A method and system for allowing a mobile terminal to connect to internet services and optimizing use of network resources WO2013171380A1 (en)

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