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 first subscription;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with a 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; and
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the GGSN.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the CGF.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Mobile Internet Proxy.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second message further comprises a MSISDN of the phone borrower.
7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
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 first subscription;
replacing the IMSI in the first message with a 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; and
billing an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the CDR received at the CGF.
8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the GGSN.
9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the CGF.
10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway.
11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Mobile Internet Proxy.
12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the second message further comprises a MSISDN of the phone borrower.
13. A system for enabling internet usage on a shared mobile device, the system comprising:
a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) that sends a first message in a telecommunication network;
a system server that:
receives the first message, the first message including an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) relating to a first subscription;
replaces the IMSI in the first message with a virtual IMSI thereby resulting in a second message;
sends the second message to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN); and
a Charging Gateway Function (CGF) that:
receives a Call Detail Record (CDR) from the system server, wherein the CDR is based on the quantity of data consumed; and
bills an account associated with the virtual IMSI based on the received CDR.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the GGSN.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within the CGF.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Gateway.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the system server is a functional software module located within a Mobile Internet Proxy.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second message further comprises a MSISDN of the phone borrower.