Method and system for enabling shared mobile data usage
Disclosed is a system and method for enabling personalized shared mobile phone usage when accessing data services within a wireless telecommunications network, including an illustrative example application of the invention as it relates to mobile subscribers who cannot afford a mobile phone handset in emerging markets. For instance, a prepaid wireless subscriber can have a personal phone number associated with their own billing account, which can be used to access data services on a wireless network without needing to purchase any hardware, such as a mobile handset or SIM card. Thus, the subscriber may access his account and use data services through a borrowed handset.
1. A method for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the method comprising:
sending a first message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in a telecommunication network;
receiving the first message at a system server, wherein the first message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a subscription of a phone lender;
providing commands to activate a virtual IMSI relating to a phone borrower;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with the virtual IMSI thereby resulting in a second message; and
sending the second message from the system server to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN);
wherein a combination of the virtual IMSI and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is held in an MXNet Server.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF), wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed by the phone borrower while using the phone lender's mobile phone.
3. A method for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the method comprising:
sending a first message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in a telecommunication network;
receiving the first message at a system server, wherein the first message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a subscription of a phone lender;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with a virtual IMSI relating to a subscription of a phone borrower thereby resulting in a second message;
sending the second message from the system server to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN);
sending a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF), wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed by the phone borrower while using the mobile device of the phone lender; and
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF;
wherein a combination of the virtual IMSI and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is held in an MXNet Server.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the GGSN.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the CGF.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Mobile Internet Proxy.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second message further comprises a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) of the phone borrower.
9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the GGSN.
10. The method of claim 3 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway.
11. The method of claim 3 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Mobile Internet Proxy.
12. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second message further comprises a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) of the phone borrower.
13. A method for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the method comprising:
sending a first message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in a telecommunication network;
receiving the first message at a system server, wherein the first message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a subscription of a phone owner;
providing commands to activate a virtual IMSI relating to a phone borrower;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with the virtual IMSI thereby resulting in a second message;
sending the second message from the system server to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN);
sending a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF), wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed by the phone borrower while using the phone owner's mobile phone; and
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF;
wherein a combination of the virtual IMSI and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is held in an MXNet Server.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing commands to deactivate the virtual IMSI.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the CGF identifies the second message with the virtual IMSI only.
16. A method for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the method comprising:
sending a first message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in a telecommunication network;
receiving the first message at a system server, wherein the first message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a subscription of a phone owner;
providing commands to activate a virtual IMSI relating to a phone borrower;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with the virtual IMSI thereby resulting in a second message;
sending the second message from the system server to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN);
sending a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF), wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed by the phone borrower while using the phone owner's mobile phone;
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF; and
wherein a combination of the virtual IMSI and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is held in an MXNet Server.
17. A method for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the method comprising:
sending a first message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in a telecommunication network;
receiving the first message at a system server, wherein the first message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a subscription of a phone owner;
providing commands to activate a virtual IMSI relating to a phone borrower;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with the virtual IMSI thereby resulting in a second message;
sending the second message from the system server to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN);
sending a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF), wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed by the phone borrower while using the phone owner's mobile phone;
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF;
wherein a combination of the virtual IMSI and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is held in an MXNet Server; and
further comprising providing commands to deactivate the virtual IMSI.
18. A method for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the method comprising:
sending a first message from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) in a telecommunication network;
receiving the first message at a system server, wherein the first message includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a subscription of a phone owner;
providing commands to activate a virtual IMSI relating to a phone borrower;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with the virtual IMSI thereby resulting in a second message;
sending the second message from the system server to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN);
sending a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server to a Charging Gateway Function (CGF), wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed by the phone borrower while using the phone owner's mobile phone;
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF;
wherein a combination of the virtual IMSI and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is held in an MXNet Server; and
wherein the CGF identifies the second message with the virtual IMSI only.