Sponsored connectivity to cellular networks using existing credentials
First Claim
1. A method for enabling access to a sponsored service by an application service provider server, comprising:
- receiving, from an intervening network through which the application service provider server sponsors access to the service, an authentication information request based on an attach request from a user equipment (UE), the authentication information request comprising a client token based on a pre-existing credential associated with the UE and established with the application service provider server, the client token being unrecognizable as a cellular access credential to the network;
determining, by the application service provider server, authentication information based on the pre-existing credential accessible by the application service provider server in response to the authentication information request; and
transmitting, from the application service provider server, the authentication information in a response to the network, wherein the authentication information configured to assist in authentication between the UE and the network for sponsored access to the service based on the pre-existing credential.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques are disclosed to facilitate the sponsored connectivity of a user equipment on a serving network so that the UE may access a service whose connectivity is sponsored by an application service provider. The application service provider provisions the serving network so that it is aware of the sponsored connectivity. In an attach attempt to the serving network, the UE provides a client token based on a pre-existing credential (established between the UE and the application service provider) instead of a subscriber identifier with the attach request. The application service provider'"'"'s server validates the access credential to authenticate the UE and provides information that the serving network uses to mutually authenticate with the UE. The UE may then use the serving network to access the service via the sponsored connection, even where the UE does not have a subscriber identity and subscription with a cellular network.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for enabling access to a sponsored service by an application service provider server, comprising:
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receiving, from an intervening network through which the application service provider server sponsors access to the service, an authentication information request based on an attach request from a user equipment (UE), the authentication information request comprising a client token based on a pre-existing credential associated with the UE and established with the application service provider server, the client token being unrecognizable as a cellular access credential to the network; determining, by the application service provider server, authentication information based on the pre-existing credential accessible by the application service provider server in response to the authentication information request; and transmitting, from the application service provider server, the authentication information in a response to the network, wherein the authentication information configured to assist in authentication between the UE and the network for sponsored access to the service based on the pre-existing credential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An application service provider server that sponsors access to a service, comprising:
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a transceiver configured to receive, from an intervening network through which the application service provider server sponsors access to the service, an authentication information request based on an attach request from a user equipment (UE), the authentication information request comprising a client token based on a pre-existing credential established with the application service provider server and being unrecognizable as a cellular access credential to the network; and a processor configured to determine authentication information based on the pre-existing credential accessible by the application service provider server in response to the authentication information request, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the authentication information in a response to the network, and wherein the authentication information assists in authentication between the UE and the network for sponsored access to the service based on the pre-existing credential. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code comprising:
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code for causing an application service provider server to receive, from an intervening network through which the application service provider server sponsors access to a service, an authentication information request based on an attach request from a user equipment (UE), the authentication information request comprising a client token based on a pre-existing credential associated and established with the application service provider server, the client token being unrecognizable as a cellular access credential to the network; code for causing the application service provider server to determine authentication information based on the pre-existing credential accessible by the application service provider server in response to the authentication information request; and code for causing the application service provider server to transmit the authentication information in a response to the network, wherein the authentication information assists in authentication between the UE and the network for sponsored access to the service based on the pre-existing credential. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification