Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Zoned or cellular telephone system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-23
2001-01-30
Hunter, Daniel S. (Department: 2749)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Zoned or cellular telephone system
C455S445000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181936
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the mobile telecommunications field and, in particular, to a method for utilizing a plurality of overlapping mobile networks.
2. Description of Related Art
Competition has been a driving force behind the fast developing field of telecommunications. Deregulation has opened up the telecommunications market and now allows independent operators to establish competing networks. The wireless telephony market is one that is fiercely competitive. As a consequence of deregulation, it is becoming more common for numerous co-existing, independent wireless networks to overlap in coverage. This deregulated environment provides opportunities for mobile phone users to select the most appropriate network operator (e.g., in order to obtain the lowest cost at any particular time). A prerequisite for such flexibility is an agreement to cooperate between at least two independent network operators, so that a user having a subscription a with a first network operator can, while visiting in a network owned by a second operator, connect to that second network. In principle, a mobile user could then select the most appropriate network at each instant to make outgoing mobile calls. However, one problem is that the same flexibility does not apply to an incoming call, because such a call must include an identity appropriate to the network indicated on the receiving mobile phone's Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.
A user's mobile phone includes a unique SIM card, which is a key for gaining access to a network to which the user subscribes. While visiting in other networks, if cooperative agreements exist, the user can make and receive wireless calls. However, one existing problem is that some mobile network operators (e.g., in Sweden) do not allow a user to select between networks in regions where there are several competing networks available. An exception is made only for visitors that subscribe with foreign (e.g., non-Swedish) network operators having cooperation agreements with the Swedish network operators.
Another existing problem is that double mobile phone fees can be invoked for an incoming call to a mobile user. This problem arises when a mobile call is made to a user who is visiting in a network other than the one where the user's subscription is registered. This problem is illustrated by
FIG. 1
, where in order to call mobile user B, the user of fixed telephone A uses the identity of user B's mobile phone. In this case, the identity of user B's mobile phone is supposed to direct the call to network N
0
. This first call is charged as a mobile phone call. Network N
0
has updated location information about user B's mobile phone, which is used by network N
0
to forward the call to network Ni where user B's mobile phone is currently logged in. User B will be charged for a mobile call between network N
0
and network N
1
. Consequently, the completed call invokes charges for two mobile connections. In addition to this shortcoming, the user of fixed telephone A has no opportunity to select the most appropriate network (e.g., N
1
, N
2
, N
3
) even if they are all available due to an assumed agreement of cooperation between the respective network operators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for making mobile phone connections so that the simultaneous presence of a plurality of independent mobile networks is advantageously utilized.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein charges are invoked for only one mobile connection in a communication between a calling party's fixed telephone and a called party's mobile phone, while the called party's mobile phone is visiting in a network different from the ordinary network as defined by the mobile phone's SIM card.
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method and system that enables a mobile user to select one from a plurality of available mobile networks that are exchanging location update information with yet another mobile network, preferably under an interconnection agreement.
An important technical advantage of the present invention is that the selection of a mobile network can be made to achieve the lowest cost for mobile communications.
Another important technical advantage of the present invention is that the possibility of selecting a mobile network can extend the range for mobile operation in those situations where the available mobile networks only partly overlap with one another.
Yet another important technical advantage of the present invention is that an operator of a national mobile network can extend its services into regions covered by other operators. As such, the present method can be used to “piggy-back” on existing networks so that an operator can introduce services in new areas without needing massive investments in a new infrastructure, or having to negotiate about scarce frequency resources. Notably, the present method can increase competition in an area.
It is still another important technical advantage of the present invention that a long-term visitor in a “foreign” licensed area can have a national mobile number from the operator of the service node, whereby the visitor can be reached with the most direct connection.
It is a further important technical advantage of the present invention that an operator of a mobile network in a second licensed area does not need to have a complete radio network in order to establish a presence in a first licensed area. It is sufficient if the operator has at least one home location register (HLR) in the second licensed area connected to a signalling network common to all available networks in the first licensed area, appropriate interconnection agreements, and rights to market appropriate SIM cards.
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Standard Search Report for RS 100757 US Completed Nov. 6, 1998 Nov. 9, 1998 EPO.
H. Maass et al., “Directory Services for Mobility Management in Private Telecommunication Networks”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Communications (ICC), Geneva, May 23-26, 1993, vol. 2, May 23, 1993, pp. 1252-1256, XP000371272;Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), 1993.
Jonsson Bjorn Erik Rutger
Swerup Jan Ingemar
Hunter Daniel S.
Jenkens & Gilchrist P.C.
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
Wyche Myron K.
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