Subscriber identity authentication in fixed cellular terminals

Details Subscriber identity authentication in fixed cellular terminals Subscriber identity authentication in fixed cellular terminals

1996-11-13

1998-12-29

Le, Thanh Cong

Telecommunications

Radiotelephone system

Security or fraud prevention

455558, H04B 138, H04M 1100

Patent

active

058549765

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention refers to a procedure for subscriber identity authentication for fixed cellular terminals in radio access networks for fixed subscribers.
This procedure is of special application in fixed cellular terminals of the GSM type that form part of an access network for fixed subscribers, implemented making use of the infrastructure of a cellular mobile network, permitting authentication of subscriber identity without any intervention being required on the part of the fixed subscribers in question.
The use of mobile cellular terminals with "fixed mobility" for access to two-wire fixed subscriber networks is very suitable for those situations where the major investment required for the installation of a wired access network is not justified because, for example, of a low subscriber density. These subscribers therefore, make use of mobile cellular technology in the fixed access network, but tariffication of their calls is the same as that of those subscribers with wired access networks.
The fixed cellular terminals have their own design, since they are not equipped with the proper mobility functions (handover, roaming, etc.), for which they have no need. On the other hand, however, they have to support new features that are not required in true mobile cellular terminals (for example, the subscriber side two-wire interface function).
Depending on the type, the cellular terminals, whether or not they have fixed mobility, can include a module in which reside the functions required for subscriber identity authentication, for which they make use of subscriber identification numbers that are allocated to the subscribers in such a way that each number identifies a single subscriber. This module, for the case of cellular terminals with GSM technology, is known as the Subscriber Identity Module, or SIM. In the case of mobile cellular terminals, this module takes the form of a board that can be removed from the terminal; while in the case of cellular terminals with fixed mobility, this module is internal and built into the terminals in such a way that the subscriber is completely detached from how he accesses the main network using cellular technology, since access is obtained in the same way as that of a subscriber to a wired access network.
The European standard ETS 300 509 "European Digital Cellular Telecommunication System (phase 2); Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17)", September 1994, developed by the Technical Committee SMG (Special Mobile Group) of the ETSI, defines the functional characteristics of this subscriber identity module (SIM) for use in GSM applications.
On page 12 of the document mentioned, and within the section concerning security aspects, reference is made to the presence of this subscriber identity module SIM with the verification function of the subscriber identification number. When this function is enabled, the subscriber identity module SIM, to become fully activated and thereby to permit access to all its functions, first requires the insertion of the subscriber identification number and that this number coincide with the subscriber identification number which has been stored in it during manufacture.
This function facilitates protection against the use of other subscriber identity modules SIM or of cellular terminals that incorporate them, by others apart from authorised persons. On the other hand, the enabling of this function in fixed cellular terminals that form part of an access network for two-wire subscribers, would result in an inconvenience for them, since, in some manner, they would have to introduce from their terminal their subscriber identification number each time they make a call.
The European standard mentioned permits the inhibition of this function; consequently it is disabled when cellular terminals with fixed mobility are used as integral parts of wired networks, in order to avoid inconvenience to subscribers. However with this, there is still the potential risk that these modules with the function in question disabled, could

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European Telecommunication Standard (prETS 300 509), May, 1994, European digital cellular telecommunications system Phase 2; Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17).
European Telecommunication Standard (ETS 300 509), Sep., 1994, European digital cellular telecommunications system Phase 2; Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17).

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