US 2007/0191006 A1 · Automatic network selection methods and apparatus using a steered PLMN

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for automatically selecting a wireless communication network by user equipment using a “steered” PLMN are disclosed. A home network identification, a list of prioritized roaming network identifications, and a steered network identification are stored in memory (e.g. a SIM or USIM) of the user equipment. In an automatic network selection procedure, a scanning operation is performed to receive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or more available wireless communication networks in a coverage area. The user equipment attempts to select a wireless communication network in the coverage area by comparing the received network identifications from the scanning operation with the steered network identification. If a match between a received network identification and the steered network identification is identified, a wireless communication network corresponding to the received network identification that matches the steered network identification is selected and registered with by the user equipment. This procedure is performed in lieu of use of the list of prioritized roaming network identifications of the user equipment. By setting the steered network identification via an over-the-air programming procedure when necessary (e.g. on a per region basis), a home network operator may “steer” user equipment to any desired network immediately and efficiently.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A method of selecting a wireless communication network by user equipment, the method comprising the acts of:

storing, in memory, a home network identification, a user-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications, an operator-controlled list of roaming network identifications, and a steered network identification which is not part of the user-controlled and operator-controlled lists of prioritized roaming network identifications and has, priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications;
in an automatic network selection procedure for the user equipment, attempting to select and operate with a wireless communication network with use of the steered network identification for user communications which has priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications by:
performing a scanning operation to receive one or more network identifications corresponding to one or more available wireless communication networks in a coverage area of the user equipment;
comparing the one or more received network identifications from the scanning operation with the steered network identification;
and
if a match between a received network identification and the steered network identification is identified from the act of comparing, selecting and registering with a wireless communication network corresponding to the received network identification that matches the steered network identification.

3 more elements

Mobile equipment comprising:

a wireless transceiver;
one or more processors coupled to the wireless transceiver;
a removable memory module interface coupled to the one or more processors;
the removable memory module being adapted to store a home network identification, a user-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications, an operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications, and a steered network identification which is not part of the user-controlled and operator-controlled lists of prioritized roaming network identification and has priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identification;
the one or more processors being adapted to perform an automatic network selection procedure by attempting to select and operate with a wireless communication network with use of the steered network identification for user communications which has priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized roaming network identifications by:
performing a scanning operation to receive one or more network identification corresponding to one or more available wireless communication networks in a coverage area of the user equipment;
comparing the one or more received network identifications form the scanning operation with the steered network identification;
and
if a match between a received network identification and the steered network identification is identified from the act of comparing, selecting and registering with a wireless communication network corresponding to the received network identification that matches the steered network identification.

6 more elements

A method for use in steering user equipment to a steered wireless communication network by network equipment of a wireless communication network which is a home communication network of the user equipment, the user equipment being configured to operate with use a home network identification, an operator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications, and a user-controlled list of prioritized network identifications, the method comprising the acts of:

identifying that the user equipment is operating in one region of a plurality of roaming regions through a visited wireless communication network of the roaming region;
and
causing a steered network identification corresponding to a steered wireless communication network of the roaming region to be sent through the visited wireless communication network to the user equipment, so that the steered wireless communication network is selected in an automatic network selection procedure of the user equipment for user communications, the steered network identification not being part of the user-controlled and operator-controlled lists of prioritized network identifications in the user equipment and having priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications.

Network equipment for a wireless communication network, the wireless communication network being a home communication network for a user equipment which is configured to operate with use a home network identification, an operator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications, and a user-controlled list of prioritized network identifications, the network equipment being configured to:

identify that the user equipment is operating in one region of a plurality of roaming regions through a visited wireless communication network of the roaming region;
and
cause a steered network identification corresponding to a steered wireless communication network of the roaming region to be sent through the visited wireless communication network to the user equipment, so that the steered wireless communication network is selected in an automatic network selection procedure of the user equipment for user communications, the steered network identification not being part of the user-controlled and operator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications and having priority over the operator-controlled list of prioritized network identifications in the automatic network selection procedure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic network selection methods and apparatus using a steered PLMN

Life of this patent

Automatic network selection methods and apparatus using a steered PLMN

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38