Method of and Architecture for a Virtual Wireless Network

• US 20090227230A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crimson IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Ghost Telecom Limited
• Inventors: Camilleri, Michael, Gonzalez, Jose Luis Merino
• Granted Patent: US 8,868,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/408
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A virtual wireless network including a server running a home location register (HLR), the home location register being associated solely with a virtual wireless network operator that does not have any licensed frequency spectrum, but provides wireless services to a subscriber by using the wireless basestations of a wireless network operator that does have licensed frequency spectrum.

Claims

1. Apparatus forming part of a virtual wireless network, the apparatus including a server running a home location register, the home location register being associated solely with a virtual wireless network operator that does not have any licensed frequency spectrum, but provides wireless services to a subscriber by using the wireless basestations of a wireless network operator that does have licensed frequency spectrum.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, in which the subscriber operates a wireless device with two or more IMSIs and the apparatus is operable to manage remotely the selection of an appropriate IMSI on the device.

3. Apparatus of claim 2, in which the apparatus decides on the appropriate IMSI based on lowest cost call routing.

4. Apparatus of claim 2, in which the apparatus decides on the appropriate IMSI based on features available when that IMSI is used.

5. Apparatus of claim 2, in which it is the home location register that manages the remote selection of an appropriate IMSI on the device.

6. Apparatus of claim 1, including multiple home location registers.

7. Apparatus of claim 1, including an equipment identity register sub-module.

8. Apparatus of claim 1, including an authentication centre sub-module.

9. Apparatus of claim 1, including a media gateway.

10. Apparatus of claim 1, including an interface to a public access network.

11. Apparatus of claim 1, including a billing and services management module for pre and post paid end-users.

12. Apparatus of claim 1, including a gateway mobile switching centre switch.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 including an interface to enable communication with the wireless network operator.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, including an interface to enable communication with any incoming calling party;

and any outgoing calling party registered with the home location register.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, including an interface to enable communication using one or more of the following:

wireless networks public access networks; and

via one or more of the following;

wireless interfaces and wired interfaces.

16. Apparatus of claim 1, adapted to receive communications from wireless devices that access the apparatus via the wireless basestations of the wireless network operator.

17. Apparatus of claim 1, adapted to communicate with a services mobile switching centre switch operated by the wireless network operator.

18. Apparatus of claim 17, including a gateway mobile switching centre switch adapted to communicate with the services mobile switching centre switch operated by the wireless network operator.

19. Apparatus of claim 18 in which the gateway mobile switching centre switch communicates with the services mobile switching centre switch operated by the wireless network operator when the subscriber is in its home country.

20-50. -50. (canceled)