Virtual Roaming Systems for GSM, GPRS and UMTS – Open Connectivity in Practice

Professor Arnaud Henry-Labordere, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees, France Arnaud Henry-Labordere received his Engineering degree from ecole Centrale de Paris in 1966 and his Ph.D in Mathematics in 1968. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Operations Research at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees, Paris, where he started his teaching career as Associate Professor in Optimization and Mathematical Programming.

Preface. By the Same Author. Abbreviations and Acronyms. 1 ?Virtual Roaming? Purpose and Principles. 1.1 Mobile Services Affected by Virtual Roaming. 1.2 Virtual Roaming Hub for Inbound Visitors? Service (Single IMSI). 1.3 Virtual Roaming Hub for Outbound Subscribers: Multi-IMSI. 1.4 Brief Introduction to Standard Bilateral Roaming Procedures. 1.5 Principles of the SS7 Protocol Layers Used in Roaming Procedures. 2 Architecture of Virtual Roaming Systems. 2.1 SCCP, MAP, CAP and GTP Transformation Principle in the Roaming Hub. 2.2 Procedures for the Virtual Roaming Visitors? Service (Single IMSI). 2.3 Restriction of Virtual Roaming by the Roaming Hub. 2.4 Procedures for the Virtual Roaming Visitors? Service (Multi-IMSI). 2.5 IS 41 <-> MAP GSM Inter-standard Roaming Hubs. 2.6 Various MAP and CAMEL Transformation Methods. 2.7 Appendix of Chapter 2. References and Further Reading. 3 Connecting the VPLMN MNOs to a Virtual Roaming Supplier. 3.1 MNO Configuration vs Roaming Hub Supplier Configuration. 3.2 Connection to the Roaming Hub Service, MNO Point of View: Using the ?Alias GT? Method. 3.3 Details of E212 ← E214 MNO Configuration with the GT Translation Methods. 3.4 Connection to the Roaming Hub Service, MNO Point of View: Using the ?MTP Transparent Tunnelling? Method. 3.5 Roaming Hub Supplier Point of View: Different Modes of Connection of the MNO Clients. 3.6 Implementation of a Roaming Hub with Several Point Codes. 3.7 SS7 Stack Architecture for a Robust Integrated System with Several Point Codes. 3.8 SIGTRAN Introduction and Practical Configuration. 3.9 Standard MTP3 Load Distribution Algorithm. 3.10 SCCP Class 1 (Sequenced Connectionless Protocol). References and Further Reading. 4 Networks of Roaming Hubs and SMSeXchanges. 4.1 Cooperation of Several Roaming Hubs. 4.2 Problem Raised by Mobile Number Portability (MNP). 4.3 Use of the TCAP Dialogue Part to Provide an End-To-End Routing Capability. References and Further Reading. 5 Hosted Roaming Hubs with Virtual GTs. 5.1 Purpose. 5.2 TCAP Dialogue Implementation Constraints. References and Further Reading. 6 Location-based Services and Virtual Roaming. 6.1 Traces Show How an SMLC Really Works. 6.2 ?Spyware Measurements? in the Handset. 6.3 Network MAP-based Location Obtaining Methods: Prerequisites. 6.4 Simple BSS-based SMLC Architecture Using the Mobile TA and Measurements. 6.5 Details of a More Accurate Positioning Method: A-GPS. 6.6 The Enhanced Time Difference (E-OTD) Method: Hyperbola Intersections. 6.7 Annex: Execution of the Algorithm for Position Computation with the ?Measurement Reports? or E-OTD. References and Further Reading. 7 Roaming Costs or Inter-operator Traffic Charge Suppression Systems, and Other Service Improvements. 7.1 VMS Anti-tromboning: Large Financial Savings in GSM and UMTS. 7.2 Call Back and Local Calls Optimization. 7.3 Dialled Number Correction with CAMEL. References and Further Reading. 8 SIM Cards ?Over The Air? Provisioning. 8.1 Principles of SIM OTA Using SMS: Download and Upload. 8.2 OTA SIM Provisioning Interface Examples. 8.3 Coding the Binary Payload to Download (Write) and Upload (Read) Files of the SIM Card (Access with Remote File Manager). 8.4 Coding the Binary Payload to Download (Write) and Upload (Read) Data of the SIM Card (Access with Applet File Manager). 8.5 Coding a Binary Payload Which Triggers the Execution of a Remote SIM Tool Kit (Using the Applet File Manager). 8.6 More Details on OTA Formats. 8.7 Details for the Upload of a Big SIM Address Book (Multiple Entries) Using Concatenated SMS. 8.8 Security Keys, How to Use the Card Vendor Provided Data. References and Further Reading. 9 Handset ?Over The Air? Provisioning of GPRS Profiles, Automatic Device Management. 9.1 The Data Access Path in GSM: Purpose of GPRS Profile Settings. 9.2 Obtaining the IMEI of a Handset for Device Management. 9.3 Method to Remotely Check that a Loaded GPRS Profile Works. 9.4 Architecture of a Classical OTA GPRS Server. 9.5 Stochastic Automatic GPRS Profile Type Learning OTA Server. 9.6 Stochastic Convergence. 9.7 Best Order to Try an Unknown Handset GPRS Profile Type. References and Further Reading. 10 Current Developments and Directions: GSM-UMTS VoIP Roaming. 10.1 Pirate Techniques? 10.2 Seamless ?Free Roaming?? GSM-UMTS with SS7 VoIP Gateways. 10.3 Attracting the Visitors and Forcing Them to Roam Immediately in a Given VPLMN. 10.4 IMS, the all IP Network Architecture. 10.5 Making a 4G ?IP Call? to a Mobile. References and Further Reading. 11 Worked-out Examples. 11.1 Examples of Chapter 1. 11.2 Examples of Chapter 3: Roaming Hub with Several Point Codes. 11.3 Examples of Chapter 4. Index.