Enhanced user equipment off-network connection signaling support for mobile virtual network operators

A core network element of a primary network operator (NO), wherein the core network element comprises:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer readable medium including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, carry out a method for supporting roaming connection signaling messages between a user equipment communicating via a secondary MNO and core network components of a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) to which an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) block has been leased by the primary network operator, wherein the user equipment has a leased IMSI value within a range of IMSI values of the IMSI block, and wherein a roaming services arrangement exists between the primary MNO and the secondary MNO for supporting roaming connectivity of user equipment specifying IMSI values of the primary MNO, and wherein the method comprises:
• receiving a connection signaling message issued by the MVNO that identifies a leased IMSI value of the user equipment communicating via the secondary MNO and includes a secondary MNO realm value of the secondary MNO, wherein a destination realm field specifies a primary MNO realm value of the primary MNO, and wherein the secondary MNO realm value is stored in an auxiliary element in the connection signaling message;
• generating an updated connection signaling message by:
• replacing, in the destination realm field of the connection signaling message, the primary MNO realm value by the secondary MNO realm value specified in the auxiliary element of the connection signaling message, and
• setting an originating realm to the primary MNO realm value;
• and
• forwarding the updated connection signaling message to the secondary MNO via an internetwork packet exchange corresponding to the secondary MNO.