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US-20260129422-A1 - DYNAMIC TRANSACTIONS USING AN OPERATOR MARKETPLACE

US20260129422A1US 20260129422 A1US20260129422 A1US 20260129422A1US-20260129422-A1

Abstract

In one aspect, a method includes receiving one or more requests from one or more operators to initiate an association with an operator marketplace, authenticating the one or more requests, and registering the one or more operators associated with the authenticated one or more requests with the operator marketplace. The method may also include monitoring the one or more operators with a network data analytics function (NWDAF), and receiving, from the one or more operators, resources provided by the one or more operators. The method may also include broadcasting the resources to the one or more operators and receiving a subscription request from a first operator. The subscription request may include a request to activate a roaming agreement with a second operator. The method may further include activating the roaming agreement between the first operator and the second operator for a duration of time.

Inventors

  • Tomonobu Okada
  • Snezana Mitrovic
  • Steven Loos
  • Alwin Xavier Pulikkal Xavier
  • Vinay Saini

Assignees

  • CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241101

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A computer-implemented method for a marketplace for roaming agreements, comprising: receiving, from one or more operators associated with an operator marketplace, a description of resources provided by the one or more operators; broadcasting the description of resources to the one or more operators; receiving a subscription request from a first operator, the subscription request includes a request to activate a roaming agreement with a second operator, wherein the subscription request includes one or more required resources; and when the resources provided by the second operator correspond to the one or more required resources of the first operator, activating the roaming agreement between the first operator and the second operator for a duration of time.
  2. 2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving one or more requests from the one or more operators to initiate an association with the operator marketplace; authenticating the one or more requests; and registering the one or more operators associated with the one or more requests with the operator marketplace.
  3. 3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein when the duration of time ends, the roaming agreement expires and associated user devices, serviced by the second operator by the roaming agreement, resume service from the first operator.
  4. 4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more operators are associated with an instance of a cellular system hub (CSH) and the respective CSH for the one or more operators facilitates the activation and deactivation of service for associated user devices.
  5. 5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the respective CSH for the one or more operators monitors the one or more operators with a network data analytics function (NWDAF).
  6. 6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the NWDAF determines, using analytics associated with the one or more operators, the resources available from the one or more operators.
  7. 7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein when the roaming agreement is activated, a CSH associated with the first operator transmits a request to de-register a first user device from a communication network associated with the first operator.
  8. 8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein when the roaming agreement is activated, a CSH associated with the second operator transmits a request to register a first user device from a communication network associated with the second operator.
  9. 9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting a message to a unified data management (UDM) of the first operator that includes at least the roaming agreement, an identification of a user device, and the second operator.
  10. 10 . A system comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the system to: receive, from one or more operators associated with an operator marketplace, a description of resources provided by the one or more operators; broadcast the description of resources to the one or more operators; receive a subscription request from a first operator, the subscription request includes a request to activate a roaming agreement with a second operator, wherein the subscription request includes one or more required resources; and when the resources provided by the second operator correspond to the one or more required resources of the first operator, activate the roaming agreement between the first operator and the second operator for a duration of time.
  11. 11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further configure the system to: receive one or more requests from the one or more operators to initiate an association with the operator marketplace; authenticate the one or more requests; and register the one or more operators associated with the one or more requests with the operator marketplace.
  12. 12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein when the duration of time ends, the roaming agreement expires and associated user devices, serviced by the second operator by the roaming agreement, resume service from the first operator.
  13. 13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more operators are associated with an instance of a cellular system hub (CSH) and the respective CSH for the one or more operators facilitates the activation and deactivation of service for associated user devices.
  14. 14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the respective CSH for the one or more operators monitors the one or more operators with a network data analytics function (NWDAF).
  15. 15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the NWDAF determines, using analytics associated with the one or more operators, the resources available from the one or more operators.
  16. 16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein when the roaming agreement is activated, a CSH associated with the first operator transmits a request to de-register a first user device from a communication network associated with the first operator.
  17. 17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein when the roaming agreement is activated, a CSH associated with the second operator transmits a request to register a first user device from a communication network associated with the second operator.
  18. 18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further configure the system to: transmit a message to a unified data management (UDM) of the first operator that includes at least the roaming agreement, an identification of a user device, and the second operator.
  19. 19 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, from one or more operators associated with an operator marketplace, a description of resources provided by the one or more operators; broadcast the description of resources to the one or more operators; receive a subscription request from a first operator, the subscription request includes a request to activate a roaming agreement with a second operator, wherein the subscription request includes one or more required resources; and when the resources provided by the second operator correspond to the one or more required resources of the first operator, activate the roaming agreement between the first operator and the second operator for a duration of time.
  20. 20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 , wherein the instructions further configure the computer to: receive one or more requests from the one or more operators to initiate an association with the operator marketplace; authenticate the one or more requests; and register the one or more operators associated with the one or more requests with the operator marketplace.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present technology pertains to network roaming, and, more specifically, to a roaming marketplace to facilitate an exchange of resources between network operators. BACKGROUND Cell network roaming is a critical feature in modern telecommunications that allows mobile devices to maintain connectivity across different cellular networks as users move beyond the coverage area of their home network. This functionality is essential for ensuring uninterrupted voice, data, and messaging services, particularly when users travel internationally or across regions served by different network operators. Roaming involves complex processes, including the authentication of the roaming device, negotiation of service agreements between the home and visited networks, and the seamless handoff of ongoing communications sessions. As mobile technology evolves, challenges such as optimizing data rates, managing security, and reducing latency during roaming transitions continue to drive innovations in network protocols and infrastructure. Additionally, there is no universal solution for facilitating an exchange of resources between networks and processing the transition of a mobile device from one network to another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Details of one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. However, the accompanying drawings illustrate only some typical aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings and the claims. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of an environment including home and visited wireless communication networks according to some aspects of the present technology. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an operator marketplace and associated operators according to some aspects of the present technology. FIG. 3A illustrates an example process for deregistering a user device from an operator according to some aspects of the present technology. FIG. 3B illustrates an example process for registering the user device with a roaming operator according to some aspects of the present technology. FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an example process for facilitating an operator marketplace between one or more operators according to some aspects of the present technology. FIG. 5 illustrates an example flowchart for facilitating an operator marketplace between one or more operators according to some aspects of the present technology. FIG. 6 shows an example of a system for implementing certain aspects of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be references to the same embodiment or any embodiment; and such references mean at least one of the embodiments. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and no special significance should be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. In some cases, synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any example term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Without intent to limit th