Network based tariff acquisition system for roaming mobile subscribers
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining tariff rates charged by at least two candidate wireless service providers accessible by a mobile terminal, said method comprising the steps of:
- registering with a first candidate service provider by said mobile terminal;
transmitting a request for subscriber information together with the intended tariff rate charged by said first candidate service provider to said mobile terminal'"'"'s associated home service provider;
determining at least one second candidate service provider that is accessible by said mobile terminal; and
obtaining tariff rates from said at least one second candidate service provider by said home service provider.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of obtaining tariff rates on a plurality of candidate service providers accessible to a roaming mobile subscriber for use in choosing the most suitable candidate service provider in a visited area. The method includes initiating registration by the mobile subscriber to a first candidate service provider. A request for subscriber'"'"'s profile information is made by the first candidate service provider to the subscriber'"'"'s home service provider. Additionally, the first candidate service provider sends the intended tariff rate to be charged to the subscriber to the home provider. The home provider determines which other candidate providers are accessible by the subscriber and requests tariff information regarding these providers. The home provider may then determine the most suitable provider based on the received tariff information e.g. the lowest tariff. If the provider of the currently pending registration is determined to be the most suitable, the registration process continues and the subscriber remains registered with the first candidate service provider. If on the other hand a second candidate service provider is most suitable, the home provider notifies the subscriber of this information via an SMS message, for example. The subscriber can then register with the appropriate provider either manually or automatically in response to the notification.
62 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method of obtaining tariff rates charged by at least two candidate wireless service providers accessible by a mobile terminal, said method comprising the steps of:
-
registering with a first candidate service provider by said mobile terminal; transmitting a request for subscriber information together with the intended tariff rate charged by said first candidate service provider to said mobile terminal'"'"'s associated home service provider; determining at least one second candidate service provider that is accessible by said mobile terminal; and obtaining tariff rates from said at least one second candidate service provider by said home service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of selecting a wireless service provider based on obtained tariff rates from a plurality of candidate wireless service providers accessible to a roaming mobile subscriber, said method comprising the steps of:
-
initiating registration with a first candidate service provider by said mobile subscriber; transmitting a request for subscriber information together with the intended tariff rate charged by said first candidate service provider to said subscriber'"'"'s home service provider; determining a list of candidate service providers that are accessible by said subscriber; obtaining tariff rates charged by said listed candidate service providers; and selecting a service provider based on said obtained tariff rates and said transmitted intended tariff charged by said first candidate service provider. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A system for obtaining tariff rates charged by at least two candidate wireless service providers comprising:
-
a mobile terminal capable of transmitting and receiving voice and data; a first candidate wireless service provider having means for transmitting a request for subscriber information together with an intended first tariff rate charged for said mobile terminal; at least one second candidate wireless service provider having means for transmitting an intended second tariff rate charged for said mobile terminal; and a home service provider associated with said mobile terminal having means for receiving said request for subscriber information and said first tariff rate from said first candidate service provider, means for determining if said at least one second candidate service provider is accessible by said mobile terminal, and means for receiving said second tariff rate from said at least one second candidate service provider. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification