Fixed mobile roaming service solution
The present invention is directed to systems for and methods of using dual mode handsets or softphone client for voice, sms, and data services. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile handset uses a SIP User Agent to register on a visiting network. The mobile handset generates SIP REGISTER messages. The SIP REGISTER messages are translated into corresponding MAP registration (or RADIUS message) and authentication commands, allowing system to contact the HPLMN HLR (or home AAA) associated with the mobile device to authenticate the mobile device and register it on a VLR of a visiting network. MAP responses (or RADIUS response) are translated to corresponding SIP commands that are forwarded to the mobile device, thereby completing the connection set up.
1. A method of registering a mobile device to use a visiting network comprising:
translating first registration messages from the mobile device from a first protocol to corresponding second registration messages in a second protocol, wherein translating the first registration messages into the second registration messages are performed at an Internet Protocol Visitor Location Register (IP-VLR) belonging to an IP network containing a roaming service platform, wherein the IP network is configured to communicatively couple with the PSTN through a gateway belonging to the IP network and with a HPLMN and the Internet via a firewall belonging to the IP network; and
transmitting the second registration messages to register the device to use the visiting network;
translating response messages in the second protocol to corresponding response messages in the first protocol; and
transmitting the corresponding response messages in the first protocol to the mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first protocol is Session Initiation Protocol.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second protocol is a global wireless protocol.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the global wireless protocol is Mobile Application Part (MAP).
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving from the mobile device an International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI) and transmitting the IMSI in the first registration messages.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating the mobile device through a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) Home Location Register (HLR) using the second protocol.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising exchanging authentication and location information for the mobile device between the HPLMN HLR and the IP-VLR.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating the mobile device using an authentication sequence with a proxy server using a third protocol.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising retrieving an authentication sequence from the mobile device.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the third protocol is Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS).
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a Short Message Service Message from the mobile device to a destination device.
12. A method of registering a dual-mode mobile station having a WiFi and a GSM interface to use a visiting network comprises:
a. retrieving an International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI) from a SIM in the dual-mode mobile station having a SIM-based Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) User Agent;
b. transmitting the IMSI in a first registration message in SIP to a SIP Server coupled to an Internet Protocol Visitor Location Register (IP-VLR);
c. translating the first registration message in SIP to a second corresponding registration message in a global wireless protocol, Mobile Application Part (MAP);
d. transmitting the second registration message in MAP to a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) Home Location Register (HLR);
e. transmitting a first response message in MAP, from the HPLMN HLR to the IP-VLR;
f. translating the first response message in MAP to a second corresponding response message in SIP at the IP-VLR; and
g. transmitting the second corresponding response message in SIP to the dual-mode mobile station where it is received and processed by the SIM-based SIP User Agent,
thereby registering the dual-mode mobile station to use a visiting network.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein translating the first registration message into the second registration message is performed at the IP-VLR.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising exchanging authentication and location information for the mobile device between the HPLMN HLR and the IP-VLR.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising authenticating the mobile device using an authentication sequence with a proxy server using a third protocol.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising retrieving an authentication sequence from the mobile device.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the third protocol is Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS).