Local subscriber number and services for non-local wireless subscribers

• US 6,907,242 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Thakker, Kaushal
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ewart, James D
• Application Number:
  US09/969,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20030064723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432, 455/435, 455/445, 455/552, 455/556
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/06 Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A system and method for providing local service to non-local subscribers in a telecommunications network. The systems and methods employ mapping of a subscriber IMSI with a unique local identifier for use by the local system for locally originating and terminating calls.

Claims

1. A method of providing local wireless telecommunication service to a non-local subscriber comprising the steps of:

a non-local operator requesting from a local operator a unique visitor identifier for use by the non-local subscriber the local operator associating a unique visitor identifier with the non-local subscriber, the non-local subscriber performing a location update with the local operator;

the local operator providing local service to the non-local subscriber via the unique visitor identifier;

dissociating the unique visitor identifier from the no-local subscriber on the basis of elapsed time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of assigning a unique visitor identifier further comprises assigning a Local MSISDN (LMSISDN).

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of the local operator using the LMSISDN as a global title for the non-local subscriber.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of mapping the unique visitor identifier to the IMSI of the non-local subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of a local Home Location Register (HLR) associating the non-local subscriber IMSI with the unique visitor identifier.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of a local Mobile Switching Center (MSC) using the unique visitor identifier for a local call originating from the non-local subscriber.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of a local Gateway MSC using the unique visitor identifier for a local call terminating with the non-local subscriber.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of a local MSC using the non-unique visitor identifier for a non-local call originating from the non-local subscriber.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of a local GMSC using the non-local MSISDN for a non-local call terminating with the non-local subscriber.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of dissociating the unique visitor identifier from the non-local subscriber on the basis of air-time minute count.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing local services to the non-local subscriber mirroring the non-local subscriber'"'"'s home services.

12. A system of providing local wireless telecommunication service to a non-local subscriber comprising:

a non-local network-having a non-local home location register, a local network having a local home location register;

means for providing a non-local subscriber with a unique visitor identifier in the local home location roister; and

a local mobile switching center having means for distinguishing between a non-local subscriber entitled to loca services and other non-local subscriber such that an authorized non-local subscriber is provided local wireless services via a unique visitor identifier and means for dissociating the unique visitor identifier from the no-local subscriber on the basis of elapsed time.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the local and non-local networks comprise GSM networks.

14. The system of claim 12 further comprising means for mapping the unique visitor identifier to the IMSI of the non-local subscriber.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising means for dissociating the unique visitor identifier from the non-local subscriber on the basis of air-time minute count.