Wi-Fi virtualized network operator
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsMichael Wu, Barrett M. Kreiner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Wi-Fi virtualized network operator (WVNO) function can be created by offering resources of a wireless access point (AP), for example, a Wi-Fi access point, to one or more third party service providers. In one aspect, the AP can broadcast two or more service set identifiers (SSIDs) that are linked to respective service provider over the same frequencies. End user devices (EUDs) located within the coverage area of the AP can select a SSID corresponding to a preferred network and connect to the preferred network via the access point. A routing device can be employed to direct traffic to/from the EUDs and a device of an appropriate network based on the SSID that has been selected.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by an access point device comprising a processor, timing data from a provisioning server, wherein the timing data is indicative of a timing criterion that defines an operating interval during which a virtual network operator function is to be operated, wherein the operating interval comprises a specified date range;
- determining, by the access point device, that the timing criterion is satisfied, wherein the determining that the timing criterion is satisfied comprises verifying that an amount of bandwidth, defined within the timing data, has not been utilized and verifying that the operating interval has not expired;
- in response to the determining, facilitating, by the access point device, a transmission of identifier data comprising first identifier data and second identifier data using common frequencies, wherein the first identifier data is indicative of a first network associated with a first service provider identity and the second identifier data is indicative of a second network associated with a second service provider identity;
- facilitating, by the access point device, a routing of communication data to a network device of the first network, wherein the communication data is received from a user equipment that selects the first identifier data during a coupling of the user equipment and the access point device;
- and
- receiving, by the access point device, instruction data from the provisioning server.
An access point device, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
- receiving, from a provisioning server, timing data indicative of a timing criterion that defines an operating interval during which a virtual network operator function is to be implemented by the access point device, wherein the operating interval is a defined range of dates;
- determining that an amount of bandwidth, defined within the timing data, has not been utilized and that the operating interval has not expired;
- in response to the determining, facilitating a transmission of identifier data comprising first identifier data and second identifier data over common frequencies, wherein the first identifier data is indicative of a first network associated with a first service provider identity and the second identifier data is indicative of a second network associated with a second service provider identity;
- facilitating a routing of communication data to a network device of the first network, wherein the communication data is received from a user equipment that selects the first identifier data during a coupling of the user equipment and the access point device;
- and
- receiving instruction data from the provisioning server.
A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of an access point device, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
- receiving, from a provisioning server, timing data indicative of a timing criterion that defines an operating time period during which a virtual network operator function is to be implemented via the access point device, wherein the operating time period is defined date range;
- verifying that an amount of bandwidth, defined within the timing data, has not been utilized and that the operating time period has not expired;
- and
- in response to the verifying, implementing the virtual network operator function based on transmitting identifier data comprising first identifier data and second identifier data on common frequencies, wherein the first identifier data is indicative of a first network associated with a first service provider identity and the second identifier data is indicative of a second network associated with a second service provider identity;
- facilitate a routing of communication data to a network device of the first network, wherein the communication data is received from a user equipment that selects the first identifier data during a coupling of the user equipment and the access point device;
- and
- receive instruction data from the provisioning server.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.