Abstract: The present disclosure may be implemented in the form of a method or corresponding apparatus for sending signaling messages through an IPX proxy from a first network element. The at least one example embodiment includes a first network element located on a first mobile network, the first network element configured to establish an initial signaling connection with a second network element on a second mobile network. The first network element may be configured to send a signaling request message to the second network element, receive a signaling response message from the second network element, the received signaling response message including an indication of an IPX proxy selected by the second network element. The first network element may be further configured to establish a signaling connection with the IPX proxy indicated in the received signaling response message, and send a second signaling request message to the IPX proxy for mediation service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution that guarantees authenticity and integrity on the signaling exchange between mobile roaming networks that trust each other. According to at least one example embodiment, a network element located on a sending mobile network may be configured to generate a signaling message that includes one or more protected data fields, calculate a hash value for each of the one or more protected data fields, combine each of the calculated hash values together using an exclusive OR (XOR) operation resulting in a combined hash value. The network element may be further configured to calculate an authentication code based on the combined hash value and a key, add an authentication field to the signaling message, the authentication field storing the authentication code, and send the signaling message to a transporting network.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be implemented in the form of a method or corresponding apparatus for sending signaling messages through an IPX proxy from a first network element. The at least one example embodiment includes a first network element located on a first mobile network, the first network element configured to establish an initial signaling connection with a second network element on a second mobile network. The first network element may be configured to send a signaling request message to the second network element, receive a signaling response message from the second network element, the received signaling response message including an indication of an IPX proxy selected by the second network element. The first network element may be further configured to establish a signaling connection with the IPX proxy indicated in the received signaling response message, and send a second signaling request message to the IPX proxy for mediation service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution that guarantees authenticity and integrity on the signaling exchange between mobile roaming networks that trust each other. According to at least one example embodiment, a network element located on a sending mobile network may be configured to generate a signaling message that includes one or more protected data fields, calculate a hash value for each of the one or more protected data fields, combine each of the calculated hash values together using an exclusive OR (XOR) operation resulting in a combined hash value. The network element may be further configured to calculate an authentication code based on the combined hash value and a key, add an authentication field to the signaling message, the authentication field storing the authentication code, and send the signaling message to a transporting network.