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EP-4740514-A1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A NETWORK FUNCTION DURING ROAMING

EP4740514A1EP 4740514 A1EP4740514 A1EP 4740514A1EP-4740514-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system (130) and a method (500) for selecting at least one Network Function (NF) (135) during roaming. The system (130) includes a transceiver module (320) to receive a roaming request pertaining to the at least one NF (135) from at least one User Equipment (UE) (110). The system (130) further includes a discovery module (325) determine if the at least one NF (135) pertaining to the roaming request is configured at a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP). Further, the system (130) includes a modification module (330) dynamically modifies the set of the parameters of the roaming request in response to determining that the at least one NF (135) is configured at the SEPP. Further, the system (130) includes a selection module to select the at least one NF (135) based on the modified set of parameters, thereby providing a dedicated NF for roaming subscribers.

Inventors

  • BHATNAGAR, AAYUSH
  • BISHT, SANDEEP
  • MISHRA, RAHUL
  • Laykar, Sudhir

Assignees

  • Jio Platforms Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240701

Claims (14)

  1. 1. A method (500) for selecting at least one Network Function (NF) (135) during roaming, the method (500) comprises the steps of: receiving (505), by a processor (305), a roaming request pertaining to the at least one NF (135) from at least one User Equipment (UE) (110) in a first network (120), to establish connection with a second network (125), the roaming request includes a set of parameters; determining (510), by the processor (305), if the at least one NF (135) pertaining to the roaming request is configured at a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP); dynamically modifying (515), by the processor (305), the set of the parameters of the roaming request in response to determining that the at least one NF (135) is configured at the SEPP; and selecting (520), by the processor (305), the at least one NF (135) based on the modified set of parameters, thereby providing a dedicated NF for roaming subscribers.
  2. 2. The method (500) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the at least one NF (135) is registered with a Network Repository Function (NRF) (202) using the modified set of parameters.
  3. 3. The method (500) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the roaming request is at least one of a subscription requests, a discovery request and a delegated discovery request.
  4. 4. The method (500) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the set of parameters including at least one of, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier and a set ID.
  5. 5. The method (500) as claimed in the claim 4, wherein the set ID is a cluster identifier corresponding to the at least one NF (135).
  6. 6. The method (500) as claimed in the claim 1 , wherein the modification of the set of parameters includes modifying the PLMN (206) with a virtual PLMN (vPLMN) (208) in the set of parameters.
  7. 7. A User Equipment (UE) (110), comprising: one or more primary processors (405) coupled with a memory (410), communicatively coupled to a processor (305), wherein said memory (410) stores instructions which when executed by the one or more primary processors (405) causes the UE (110) to: transmit, a roaming request from the User Equipment (UE) (110) to the processor (305), the UE (110) present in a first network (120) to establish connection with a second network (125); and wherein the processor (305) is further configured to perform the method as claimed in claim 1.
  8. 8. A system (130) for selecting at least one Network Function (NF) (135) during roaming, the system (130) comprises of: a transceiver module (320) configured to receive, a roaming request pertaining to the at least one NF (135), from at least one User Equipment (UE) (110), in a first network (120) to establish a connection with a second network (125), the roaming request includes a set of parameters; a discovery module (325) configured to determine, if the at least one NF (135) pertaining to the roaming request is configured at a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP); a modification module (330) configured to dynamically modify, the set of the parameters of the roaming request in response to determining that the at least one NF (135) is configured at the SEPP; and a selection module (335) configured to select, the at least one NF (135) based on the modified set of parameters, thereby providing a dedicated NF for roaming subscribers.
  9. 9. The system (130) as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the at least one NF (135) is registered with a Network Repository Function (NRF) (202) using the modified set of parameters.
  10. 10. The system (130) as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the roaming request is at least one of a subscription requests, a discovery request and a delegated discovery request.
  11. 11. The system (130) as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the set of parameters including at least one of, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier and a set ID.
  12. 12. The system (130) as claimed in the claim 11, wherein the set ID is a cluster identifier corresponding to the at least one NF (135).
  13. 13. The system (130) as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the modification of the set of parameters includes modifying the PLMN (206) with a virtual PLMN (vPLMN) (208) in the set of parameters.
  14. 14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer- readable instructions that, when executed by a processor (305), causes the processor (305) to: receive, a roaming request from at least one User Equipment (UE) (110), in a first network (120) to establish connection with a second network (125), the roaming request includes a set of parameters, including at least one of, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier and a set ID; determine, if at least one Network Function (NF) (135) pertaining to the roaming request is configured at a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP); dynamically modify, the set of the parameters of the roaming request in response to determining that the at least one NF (135) is configured at the SEPP, wherein the modification of the set of parameters include modifying the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) (206) with a virtual PLMN (vPLMN) (208) in the set of parameters; and select, the at least one NF (135) based on the modified set of parameters, thereby providing a dedicated NF for roaming subscribers.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A NETWORK FUNCTION DURING ROAMING FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly relates to selecting a network function during roaming. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Communication networks, particularly cellular networks, are complex systems comprising various network functions that work together to process and manage different types of traffic. These network functions are integral to the proper functioning of communication services, such as voice calls, data transfer, and messaging. Key network functions involved in these networks include the Session Management Function (SMF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP). [0003] The SMF is responsible for managing the session and data flows within the network. It handles tasks such as session establishment, policy enforcement, and traffic routing. The AMF, on the other hand, focuses on access and mobility management. It manages subscriber registration, authentication, mobility-related procedures, and facilitates seamless handover between base stations. The SEPP acts as a security gateway, protecting the network from unauthorized access and ensuring secure communication between network entities and subscriber devices. [0004] In the context of international roaming, subscribers are able to use their devices and access communication services while connected to foreign network operators, while still being registered with a home network. This enables uninterrupted communication for subscribers when they travel internationally. However, managing and segregating network functions responsible for international roaming traffic and regional traffic poses challenges within the current architecture of communication networks. [0005] In traditional communication networks, the selection of network functions is typically based on registration parameters, such as Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifiers and set IDs. When the network function, such as an AMF, needs to communicate with the SMF, it includes the relevant PLMN and the set ID in the communication request. Based on these parameters, the system selects the SMF that is registered under the specified PLMN and Set ID to handle the communication. [0006] However, the existing systems do not provide an efficient mechanism to differentiate network functions based on the type of traffic they cater to, such as local or international roaming traffic. Consequently, if the regional traffic and international roaming traffic share the same PLMN and Set ID, the same network function may be selected for both scenarios. This lack of differentiation presents challenges in effectively managing dedicated network functions for international roaming and compromises the security and reliability of the communication network. [0007] To address this problem, a solution is needed to select correct NF during International Roaming in communication. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for selecting at least one Network Function (NF) during roaming. [0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a system for selecting at least one NF during roaming is disclosed. The system includes a transceiver module configured to receive a roaming request pertaining to the at least one NF from at least one User Equipment (UE) in a first network to establish a connection with a second network. The roaming request includes a set of parameters, including at least one of, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier and a set ID. The system includes a discovery module configured to determine if the at least one NF pertaining to the roaming request is configured at a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP). The system includes a modification module configured to dynamically modify, the set of the parameters of the roaming request in response to determining that the at least one NF is configured at the SEPP. The modification of the set of parameters includes modifying the PLMN with a virtual PLMN (vPLMN) in the set of parameters. The system further includes a selection module configured to select the at least one NF based on the modified set of parameters, thereby providing a dedicated NF for roaming subscribers. [0010] In one embodiment, the at least one NF is registered with a Network Repository Function (NRF) using the modified set of parameters. [0011] In another embodiment, the roaming request is at least one of a subscription request, a discovery request and a delegated discovery request. [0012] In yet another embodiment, the set ID is a cluster identifier corresponding to the at least one NF. [0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting at least one Network Function (NF) during roaming is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving by a processor a roaming request pertaini