Abstract: A system and method are described for supporting permanent roaming for a user equipment (UE) device, which is carried out by a permanent roaming coordinator component, in a mobile wireless network environment including a plurality of public land mobile network (PLMN) carriers within a mobile wireless geographic region. The method includes accessing a current permanent roaming policy applicable to the mobile wireless geographic region within which the UE device resides. The method further includes applying the current permanent roaming policy to establish a current preferred PLMN for supporting a roaming mobile wireless network connection by the UE device, and resetting a usage counter parameter for the UE device in accordance with designating the current preferred PLMN for the UE device.

Abstract: A method carried out by communications between a home roaming configuration server and a visited roaming configuration server is described that facilitates configuring roaming handling by the visited operator wireless data network for home operator user equipment affiliated with the home operator mobile wireless data network. The home roaming configuration server issues, via a secure transmission path connecting the home operator network and the visited operator network, a configuration command specifying a configuration command affecting handling of roaming operation of user equipment of the home operator by the visited operator. The visited roaming configuration server executes the configuration command to render a new roaming configuration for the visited operator wireless data network handling of roaming wireless data network service usage by the home operator user equipment.

Abstract: A method carried out by communications between a home roaming configuration server and a visited roaming configuration server is described that facilitates configuring roaming handling by the visited operator wireless data network for home operator user equipment affiliated with the home operator mobile wireless data network. The home roaming configuration server issues, via a secure transmission path connecting the home operator network and the visited operator network, a configuration command specifying a configuration command affecting handling of roaming operation of user equipment of the home operator by the visited operator. The visited roaming configuration server executes the configuration command to render a new roaming configuration for the visited operator wireless data network handling of roaming wireless data network service usage by the home operator user equipment.

Abstract: A home wireless network is provided that communicates an improved Preferred Roaming List (PRL) that includes service type and service priority indicators for a plurality of wireless service combinations and corresponding roaming networks. Preferably, the service type indicator is a numerical indicator that encodes a combination of multiple wireless services offered by each roaming partner network. In case when more than one roaming network provides the requested wireless service, the service priority indicator provides a priority of selection of roaming networks for a given requested service in accordance with a plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A system and method are described that enable policy-implementing modules in a mobile wireless network to identify the location of a user and render policy-based (e.g., quality of service, accounting, throttling, etc.) decisions based upon a variety of additional information such as: home network availability in a market, user class, time of day, network congestion, application type, etc. The system renders policy decisions, based upon geo-spatial location information, by receiving a mobile wireless data message including a geospatial identifier. Thereafter, a policy engine renders a data service policy decision by applying a policy to the geospatial identifier. The potential classifications identified by the data service policy decision include an in-market roaming mode wherein a data usage is treated as non-roaming, even though associated with a roaming data session, based upon an in-market location specified by the geospatial location information.

Abstract: A system and method are described that enable policy-implementing modules in a mobile wireless network to identify the location of a user and render policy-based (e.g., quality of service, accounting, throttling, etc.) decisions based upon a variety of additional information such as: home network availability in a market, user class, time of day, network congestion, application type, etc. The system renders policy decisions, based upon geo-spatial location information, by receiving a mobile wireless data message including a geospatial identifier. Thereafter, a policy engine renders a data service policy decision by applying a policy to the geospatial identifier. The potential classifications identified by the data service policy decision include an in-market roaming mode wherein a data usage is treated as non-roaming, even though associated with a roaming data session, based upon an in-market location specified by the geospatial location information.

Abstract: A system and method are described whereby a mobile device controls access to mobile applications based on access conditions associated with a current access network. To prevent mobile applications from running when the access conditions are not suitable, the mobile device includes a policy database used to store a list of access conditions that are inappropriate for launching the installed applications. The access conditions are based on the type of the current access network used by the mobile device for launching or maintaining the requested application session. The access conditions indicate whether the mobile device is currently accessing its home network or roaming on another provider's network. Similarly, the access conditions indicate the type of network access interface used by the current network to provide the data connection necessary to run the requested application. The policy database correlates predetermined actions with the access conditions associated with a given application session.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling cellular access to data services from a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or PDA. The wireless network monitors IP traffic to and from the mobile device. Attempts to access an data service are checked to determine whether the requested access is authorized. Access to the data service is granted subject to the authorization. Access to the mobile device from external sources is also restricted.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing proximity-based Internet server access in mobile network environments such as cellular environments to reduce latency and enhance customer satisfaction. In an embodiment of the invention, a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) caches location information regarding the mobile device. When the mobile device later attempts to resolve the domain name of a distributed service, the domain name service (DNS) server, via a policy manager, queries the MPC for the location of the user. The policy manager of the DNS server may then choose a server based on a number of criteria, including, for example, the geographical proximity of the user to the server.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing and using an inter-working location gateway (IWLG) that allows a trusted/non-trusted user plane mobile node to successfully utilize user location services while data roaming. In an embodiment, once the mobile node establishes a data connection while roaming, the mobile node uses IP connectivity to exchange messages, e.g., IS-801 messages, with an IWLG located in the home network. Via the messaging, the mobile node provides certain parameters which the IWLG uses to determine which network the mobile node is roaming. The IWLG interfaces with the appropriate network elements in the visited network to determine the location of the mobile node.

Abstract: A home wireless network is provided that communicates an improved Preferred Roaming List (PRL) that includes service type and service priority indicators for a plurality of wireless service combinations and corresponding roaming networks. Preferably, the service type indicator is a numerical indicator that encodes a combination of multiple wireless services offered by each roaming partner network. In case when more than one roaming network provides the requested wireless service, the service priority indicator provides a priority of selection of roaming networks for a given requested service in accordance with a plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A system and method are described whereby a mobile device controls access to mobile applications based on access conditions associated with a current access network. To prevent mobile applications from running when the access conditions are not suitable, the mobile device includes a policy database used to store a list of access conditions that are inappropriate for launching the installed applications. The access conditions are based on the type of the current access network used by the mobile device for launching or maintaining the requested application session. The access conditions indicate whether the mobile device is currently accessing its home network or roaming on another provider's network. Similarly, the access conditions indicate the type of network access interface used by the current network to provide the data connection necessary to run the requested application. The policy database correlates predetermined actions with the access conditions associated with a given application session.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing proximity-based Internet server access in mobile network environments such as cellular environments to reduce latency and enhance customer satisfaction. In an embodiment of the invention, a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) caches location information regarding the mobile device. When the mobile device later attempts to resolve the domain name of a distributed service, the domain name service (DNS) server, via a policy manager, queries the MPC for the location of the user. The policy manager of the DNS server may then choose a server based on a number of criteria, including, for example, the geographical proximity of the user to the server.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing and using an inter-working location gateway (IWLG) that allows a trusted/non-trusted user plane mobile node to successfully utilize user location services while data roaming. In an embodiment, once the mobile node establishes a data connection while roaming, the mobile node uses IP connectivity to exchange messages, e.g., IS-801 messages, with an IWLG located in the home network. Via the messaging, the mobile node provides certain parameters which the IWLG uses to determine which network the mobile node is roaming. The IWLG interfaces with the appropriate network elements in the visited network to determine the location of the mobile node.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling cellular access to data services from a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or PDA. The wireless network monitors IP traffic to and from the mobile device. Attempts to access an data service are checked to determine whether the requested access is authorized. Access to the data service is granted subject to the authorization. Access to the mobile device from external sources is also restricted.