Gateway, client device and methods for facilitating communication between a client device and an application server

A gateway for facilitating communication between a client device and an application server by obtaining and using a credential associated with the client device without the client device having to store the credential or provide the credential to the gateway, the gateway comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, enables the gateway to:
• after obtaining a message transmitted by the client device, send a request for an electronically transferable subscriber identity module (SIM) that is generated based on an identifier that is based on an identity of the client device, the request comprising the identifier based on the identity of the client device;
• download the electronically transferable SIM as a result of receiving a response indicating that the electronically transferable SIM is available, wherein the electronically transferable SIM was generated based on the identifier;
• store the downloaded electronically transferable SIM with an association to the client device, thereby associating the downloaded electronically transferable SIM with the client device, wherein the downloaded electronically transferable SIM comprises the credential;
• after downloading the electronically transferable SIM, receive a client communication transmitted by the client device, wherein the client communication is destined for the application server;
• encrypt the received client communication that was transmitted by the client device using the downloaded electronically transferable SIM that is associated with the client device;
• and
• forward the encrypted client communication to the application server, wherein
• the gateway is configured to not send the electronically transferable SIM to the client device.

A computer program product for facilitating communication between a client device and an application server by obtaining and using a credential associated with the client device without the client device having to store the credential or provide the credential to a gateway, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer program code which, when run on the gateway, causes the gateway to:

• after obtaining a message transmitted by the client device, send a request for an electronically transferable subscriber identity module (SIM) that is generated based on an identifier that is based on an identity of the client device, the request comprising the identifier based on the identity of the client device;
• download the electronically transferable SIM as a result of receiving a response indicating that the electronically transferable SIM is available, wherein the electronically transferable SIM was generated based on the identifier;
• store the downloaded electronically transferable SIM with an association to the client device, thereby associating the downloaded electronically transferable SIM with the client device, wherein the downloaded electronically transferable SIM comprises the credential;
• after downloading the electronically transferable SIM, receive a client communication transmitted by the client device, wherein the client communication is destined for the application server;
• encrypt the client communication using the electronically transferable SIM;
• and
• forward the encrypted client communication to the application server, wherein
• the gateway is configured to not send the electronically transferable SIM to the client device.

A method performed by a gateway for facilitating communication between a client device and an application server, the method comprising:

• the gateway storing a set of two or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs);
• after storing the SIMs, the gateway receiving a message transmitted by the client device;
• after receiving the message, the gateway determining whether any of the SIMs included in the set of SIMs is free to be used in connection with the client device;
• the gateway selecting a free SIM from the set of SIMs;
• the gateway assigning the selected SIM to the client device;
• after assigning the selected SIM to the client device, the gateway receiving a client communication transmitted by the client device, wherein the client communication is destined for the application server;
• the gateway encrypting the received client communication that was transmitted by the client device using the SIM assigned to the client device;
• and
• the gateway forwarding the encrypted client communication to the application server, wherein
• the gateway does not send the SIM to the client device.