WO2015088411A1

WO2015088411A1 - Methods and apparatuses for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network and visiting communication networks

Info

Publication number: WO2015088411A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/051505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qiang Li; Justus Petersson
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2013-12-13
Filing date: 2013-12-13
Publication date: 2015-06-18

Abstract

The present invention deals with a method performed by a communication device(100) for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network (110) and a number of visiting communication networks (120, 130), the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The method comprises receiving (302), from a network node (140), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks and determining (304) to register with a first visiting communication network (120) of the number of visiting communication networks. The method further comprises selecting (308) a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network and sending (310) a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network (120). The method further comprises receiving (312) a registration response, and sending (314) a signalling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signalling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network (110).

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR COMMUNICATING IN A

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM COMPRISING A HOME COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND VISITING COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

Technical field

[0001 ] The present disclosure relates generally to methods performed by a communication device and communication devices for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network and a number of visiting communication networks. The present disclosure further relates to methods performed by a network server and network servers for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network and a number of visiting communication networks.

Background

[0002] The mobile communication system of the world comprises a plurality of mobile communication networks owned by different operators. A communication device is registered as a subscriber of a home communication network but can today, when moving to another communication network that the device is not subscribing to, acquire connectivity in this another communication network. There are today two different general procedures for a communication device to acquire connectivity to another communication network, hereinafter called a visiting communication network: Roaming, and changing to a subscriber identity module, SIM, card from the operator of the visiting communication network.

[0003] In the roaming procedure, a global enterprise owning a number of communication devices all over the world, for example a machine-to-machine service provider, M2M SP, has a single business relationship and billing interface towards the home network operator. When in a visiting communication network owned by a roaming partner, a communication device will be roaming to get access through the roaming partner's access network while remaining being a subscriber of the home communication network. With a roaming solution, an enterprise can maintain single business relationship and billing interface towards its home communication network operator with roaming devices all over the world. However, roaming agreement is needed between each visiting communication network and the home communication network. A communication device will not be able to connect to the visiting communication network if the visiting

communication network operator does not have a roaming agreement with the home communication network operator, or if roaming is not allowed in the visiting communication network, (e.g. due to operator determined barring of roaming by its home network operator).

[0004] In the changing of SIM card procedure, subscription is switched to the local network operator for the visiting communication network, (e.g. by changing to the new local network operator's SIM card in the device), so that the

communication device can acquire the local connectivity and the visiting

communication network becomes the new home communication network for the communication device. This means that the business relationship and billing relationship for the communication device subscription has also changed from its original home network operator to the new local network operator. A switch of subscription could give access to the communication device in VPLMN, but it does not allow the enterprise to maintain a single business relationship and billing interface for its devices towards its home network operator. The enterprise also cannot reuse the same functionality for its services and devices deployed all over the world because they are not serviced by single operator. Instead, the devices will get different functionalities and connectivity services by each different local network operator of each different visiting communication network.

[0005] Consequently, there is a need for a solution that enables a

communication device subscribing to a home communication network to connect to a visiting communication network even without a roaming agreement between the home communication network operator and the visiting communication network operator, or without roaming signaling being established between the visiting communication network and the home communication network. This connection should preferably also be accomplished while the enterprise still keeps a single business relationship and billing interface towards the home communication network operator.

Summary

[0006] It is an object of the invention to address at least some of the problems and issues outlined above. It is possible to achieve these objects and others by using a method and an apparatus as defined in the attached independent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a method is provided performed by a communication device for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network and a number of visiting communication networks, the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home

subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a network node, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks and determining to register with a first visiting communication network of the number of visiting communication networks. The method further comprises selecting a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for

communication in the first visiting communication network and sending a

registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network. The method further comprises receiving a registration response, and sending a signaling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signaling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network.

[0008] According to a second aspect, a communication device is provided operative for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network and a number of visiting communication networks, the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The communication device comprises a processor and a memory. Said memory contains instructions executable by said processor whereby said communication device is operative for receiving, from a network node, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks and determining to register with a first visiting communication network of the number of visiting communication networks. Said communication device is further operative for selecting a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network and sending a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network. Said communication device is further operative for receiving a registration response, and sending a signaling request to the

determined first visiting communication network, the signaling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network.

[0009] According to a third aspect, a method is provided performed by a network server for communicating in a communication network comprising a home communication network, a number of visiting communication networks and a communication device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the communication device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The method comprises providing to the communication device a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the

communication device any traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

[00010] According to a fourth aspect, a network server is provided operative for communicating in a communication network comprising a home communication network, a number of visiting communication networks and a communication device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the communication device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The network server comprises a processor and a memory. Said memory contains instructions executable by said processor whereby said network server is operative for providing to the communication device, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the communication device any traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

[0001 1 ] According to other aspects, computer programs and computer program products are also provided, the details of which will be described in the claims and the detailed description.

[00012] The above method and apparatus may be configured and implemented according to different optional embodiments. Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the detailed description below.

Brief description of drawings

[00013] The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[00014] Fig.1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary communication system in which the present invention may be used.

[00015] Fig. 2 is a signaling diagram of methods according to embodiments.

[00016] Figs. 3-6 are flow charts describing methods according to embodiments of the invention.

[00017] Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. [00018] Figs. 8-10 are schematic block diagrams showing different embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description

[00019] Briefly described, a solution is provided to make it possible for a communication device subscribing to a home communication network to connect to a visiting communication network using a subscriber ID of the visiting

communication network but traffic data from the home communication network. This is achieved by in the communication device receiving and storing a list of subscriber IDs of visiting communication networks, wherein individual of the subscriber IDs are valid for communication in individual of the visiting

communication networks. When the communication device arrives in a first of the visiting communication networks for which a subscribed ID was stored, and the communication device determines to register to the first visiting network using regular determining principles, the stored subscriber ID of the first visiting network is selected for communication in the first visiting network. A registration request in then sent to the first visiting network using the stored subscriber ID, and after a registration response has been received, a signaling request is sent using the stored subscribed ID of the visiting network but traffic data of the home

communication network. In other words, in a subscriber profile of the

communication device, which originally comprises home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network, the home subscriber ID is replaced with the subscriber ID of the first visiting network.

[00020] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary communication system in which

embodiments of the present invention may be used. The communication system comprises a home communication network 1 10 comprising a subscriber database 1 15 realized as a home location register, HLR, and a home network control node 1 12. The communication system further comprises a first visiting communication network 120 comprising a control node 122 and an HLR 125. The communication system further comprises a second visiting communication network 130

comprising a control node 132 and an HLR (not shown). The home communication network is also called the home network in the disclosure. The visiting

communication networks are also called visiting networks in the disclosure. The first visiting network control node 122 is connected to the home network control node 1 12. The second visiting network control node 132 is also connected to the home network control node. Fig. 1 also comprises a Subscriber Identity Module Over The Air, SIMOTA server 140 for providing subscriber IDs to a communication device 100 communicating via the networks in the communication system. The SIMOTA server 140 may be situated in any of the home network or the visiting networks, or in a separate network as shown in fig. 1 . The SIMOTA server 140 may communicate with the communication device 100 via any of the control nodes 1 12, 122, 132. Observe that fig. 1 only shows an alternative communication system architecture in which embodiments of the present invention may be used. Other communication system architectures may be used, for example, another communication system architecture will be presented later in connection with fig. 7.

[00021 ] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the signaling taking place between different of the communication nodes of fig. 1 . A prerequisite is that the communication device 100 is subscribing to the home network 1 10 using a subscriber profile comprising a home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home network. Further, the communication device 100 is provided 1 .1 with a number of local International Mobile Subscriber Identities, IMSIs from the SIMOTA server 140. Individual of the provided IMSIs are arranged for

communication in individual of the visiting networks 1 10, 120. The IMSI is an example of a subscriber identification. The communication device may be provided with the number of local IMSIs when in a configuration stage, an initial provisioning stage or during communication in the communication system. When the

communication device 100 subscribing to the home network 1 10 arrives at the first visiting network 120, it determines 1.2 to register with the visiting network using regular determining principles. Then the one of the provided IMSIs adapted for communication in the first visiting network is selected, and in the subscriber profile of the device, the home subscriber ID, e.g. home IMSI, is replaced 1 .3 with the IMSI adapted for communication in the first visiting network. Thereafter, the device 100 sends 1 .4 a registration request comprising the selected local IMSI to the visiting network control node 122 and receives 1 .5 a registration grant in return from the visiting network control node. Then the communication device sends 1 .6 a signaling request using the new subscriber profile wherein the home IMSI has been replaced with the selected local IMSI. In other words, the signaling request comprises the selected local IMSI but traffic data of the home network. The visiting network control node 122 then identifies that the local IMSI is from the range of numbers dedicated to communication devices from the home network, and sends 1 .7 the signaling request to the control node of the home network 122, possibly via a first network control node. The first network control node may be a node of a separate network, such as a Device Connection Platform, DCP, network.

[00022] According to an embodiment, when the signaling request comprising the local IMSI is received 1.6 at the first network control node 130, the first network control node 130 may detect that the local IMSI is associated with the home IMSI by checking a look-up table where the association between the home IMSI and the local IMSI has been stored and may then replace the local IMSI with the home IMSI in the signaling request and send 1 .7 the signaling request comprising the home IMSI to the home network subscriber database 1 15. Thereafter, the home network subscriber database 1 15 may send a signaling response to the first network control node, which sends the signaling response to the communication device 100 via the visiting network control node. Traffic (e.g. SMS or data) may now be routed to the home network and billing calculations will be performed by the home network, e.g. by a business support system of the home network so that the enterprise that owns the communication device only gets a bill from the home network. The visiting network control node 122 may function as the first network control node, if the association between the home IMSI and local IMSI has been stored at the visiting network control node 122. This embodiment is shown in fig. 2.

[00023] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a

communication device 100 for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network 1 10 and a number of visiting

communication networks 120, 130, the device subscribing to the home

communication network with a home subscriber ID. Further, a subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The method comprises receiving 302, from a network node 140, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks and determining 304 to register with a first visiting communication network 120 of the number of visiting communication networks. The method further comprises selecting 308 a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network. The method further comprises sending 310 a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network 120, receiving 312 a registration response, and sending 314 a signaling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signaling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network 1 10.

[00024] The home communication network is the network to which the

communication device is registered as a subscriber. The home subscriber ID is a subscriber ID, e.g. IMSI, or MSISDN, etc, which the communication device normally uses, for example when communicating in the home communication network, and when roaming in other communication networks. The visiting communication network is the network that the communication device currently visits, i.e. is temporary connected to. The local subscriber ID is a subscriber ID, e.g. IMSI, or MSISDN, etc, which the communication device uses for

communication in the visiting network, which makes it possible for the

communication device to have a local connection in the visiting network without having to roam. Traffic data may be data defining what traffic the subscriber can have (e.g. GPRS, SMS, MMS, Roaming, voice etc.) and data defining how to access traffic from the network (e.g. Access Point Name, APN, which SMS Center to use, PDP context profile, roaming list, location update timer). The access credentials comprise authentication parameters such as Kl, operator key, and transport key. The determining to register with a first of the number of visiting communication networks may be performed according to a communication network priority list in a roaming list in the subscription profile. The determining may be performed according to regular determining principles, e.g. by

continuously evaluating signal strengths of cells which are in neighboring networks of the communication device and based on the signal strength values determining to register in a neighboring network. The expression "individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks" may signify that a first local subscriber ID is to be used for communication in a first visiting network, a second local subscriber ID is to be used for communication in a second visiting network, a third local subscriber ID is to be used for communication in a third visiting network etc. It may also be possible that one local subscriber ID is to be used for communication in more than one visiting communication network. A signaling request is any kind of request for a service in the communication network, such as an authentication request, location update request, a request for sending an SMS, setting up a voice call, etc.

[00025] By the above method it is possible for a communication device to receive a local subscriber ID for use in the visiting network it currently visits but it is still possible for the communication device to keep its subscription with its home network such that it can be billed by the home network. Further, data can be communicated via its home network via the traffic data of the home network even though a subscriber ID adapted for the visiting network is use. The provided list of local network subscriber IDs make it possible to connect to different visiting networks by only applying the already provided subscriber ID of the visiting network in question. [00026] According to an embodiment, only a visiting network for which there exists a stored local subscriber ID adapted for communication in the visiting network can be selected.

[00027] According to another embodiment shown in fig. 4, the method of fig. 3 may further comprise, after it has been determined 304 to register with the first visiting communication network, sending 305 a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID, receiving 306 a registration response, and, when a first visiting network location criterion is fulfilled 307, carry on with the method of fig. 3 by performing the selecting 308 of the first local subscriber ID, and the sending 310 of the registration request comprising the first local subscriber ID.

[00028] This embodiment is shown in fig. 3 as broken arrows to and from the "to fig. 4" -box. The first visiting network location criterion may be any criterion relating to the location of the communication device in the first visiting communication network, such as a the communication device being in the first visiting network a certain amount of time, the communication device having communicated a certain amount of data over the first visiting communication network or a criterion using both time and data. The criterion may also be that the communication device has to receive a location area update from the visiting communication network before registering with the first visiting communication network using the local subscriber ID. The purpose of using a location criterion before changing subscriber ID is to avoid switching subscriber ID in the case that the communication device is only temporarily situated in the first visiting communication network.

[00029] According to an embodiment, the selected first local subscriber ID has a PLMN identity that matches a PLMN identity of the first visiting communication network. The PLMN identity may comprise a Mobile Country Code, MCC, and/or a Mobile Network Code, MNC. By using the same PLMN identity for a visiting network as for the subscriber ID to be used in that visiting network the correct local subscriber ID is easily found. [00030] According to another embodiment, the registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID also comprises an authentication request using access credentials of the home communication network. According to another embodiment, the registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID also comprises an authentication request using access credentials of the first visiting communication network. As shown, the access credentials could either be taken from the home network or the visiting network when the

communication device is to communicate in the visiting network.

[00031 ] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises determining 502 to register with a second visiting communication network 130 of the number of visiting communication networks, when the communication device is already registered to the first visiting communication network 120 using the first local subscriber ID. Then, when there is provided 504 no local subscriber ID adapted for communication in the second visiting communication network, selecting 506 the home subscriber ID, and sending 508 a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID to the second visiting communication network.

[00032] That there is no local subscriber ID adapted for communication in the second visiting network may signify that there is no stored local subscriber ID in the communication device for the second visiting communication network or for any of the currently available visiting networks. By such a measure, too

complicated inter-operator processes are avoided. Instead of roaming from the first visiting network into the second visiting network using the first local subscriber ID, roaming will be performed directly from the home network into the second visiting network using the home subscriber ID. This embodiment may also comprise the step of replacing, in the subscription profile, the first local subscriber ID with the home subscriber ID. Further, as shown in fig. 5, the embodiment may comprise , when there is provided 504 a second local subscriber ID for

communication in the second visiting network, selecting 510 the second local subscriber ID in the same way as selecting the first subscriber ID of step 308 in fig. 3. The selecting of second local subscriber ID is then followed by steps similar as steps 310-314 of fig. 3.

[00033] According to another embodiment, shown in fig. 3 as box 309, and illustrated as an optional embodiment by having broken arrows pointing to and from it, the method further comprises replacing 309, in the subscription profile, the home subscriber ID with the local subscriber ID of the determined visiting communication network. Thereby, original communication principles using data of the subscription profile stored in the communication device for communicating may be used.

[00034] According to another aspect shown in fig. 6, a method performed by a network server 140 is provided for communicating in a communication network comprising a home communication network 1 10, a number of visiting

communication networks 120, 130 and a communication device 100 subscribing to the home communication network 1 10 with a home subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the communication device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home

communication network. The method comprises providing 602 to the

communication device 100, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the

communication device any traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

[00035] By such a method, the communication device as shown in fig. 1 and discussed in relation to figs. 3-5, is supplied with information for fulfilling its duties according to the methods described in relation to figs. 3-5. More specifically, the network server provides the communication device with local subscriber IDs for use in different visiting communication networks as discussed in the methods of figs. 3-5. As mentioned, local subscriber IDs are provided but no traffic data related to those subscriber IDs are provided. [00036] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises sending 604 to the communication device information defining a first visiting network location criterion for selecting a first local subscriber ID for communication in the first visiting communication network. Thereby, the communication device is provided with the location criterion used for deciding when to change to the local subscriber ID. Also, in this way the location criterion may be changed by the network server.

[00037] The communication device comprises a storage unit in which a subscription profile is stored. The storage unit may be situated in a eUICC card, which is a smart card conforming to the specification written and maintained by the ETSI Smart Card Platform project. The subscription profile stored on the eUICC card may be called a eUICC profile or a SIM profile. Data that may be part of a eUICC profile comprises parameters for an authentication algorithm, (e.g. Opc, Ci, Ri for an authentication algorithm called the Milenage algorithm). For the authentication procedure to function between the communication device and the communication networks, subscription credentials such as Ki and OPc, Ci, Ri, need to be stored on the HLR as well as an SIM/eUICC with identical values. Apart from the authentication parameters, an eUICC profile also contains traffic data such as the address of SMSC, APN, roaming list, ICCID, Personal

Identification Number, PIN, PIN Unlocked Key, PUK, Access Control Class, ACC, etc. The eUICC profile will also contain the IMSI of the user. The authentication parameters may also be called the access credentials.

[00038] Fig. 7 describes a network architecture according to a possible

embodiment. The network architecture comprises, except for a home network MN01 1 10, a visiting network MN02 120, a communication device 100 comprising an eUICC and a SIMOTA server 140, also an MN01 Business Support System 150 and a Device Connection Platform, DCP, network 160. In this embodiment the DCP network hosts a number of functions or nodes of the MN01 , such as a Home Location Register, HLR, an Authentication center AuC, a Gateway GPRS Support Node, GGSN, and a Short Message Service Center, SMSC. Alternatively, the GGSN and SMSC may be kept in the MN01 network. With reference to fig. 7, a method according to an embodiment for communicating in such a communication network will now be described.

[00039] An existing SIM profile has been installed in the eUICC from MN01 (i.e. the home network). The SIM profile comprises an IMSI, access credentials and traffic data, all of the MN01 . The SIMOTA server 140 provides 2.1 remotely to the eUICC a list of IMSIs that are arranged to be used for different local networks, preferably one IMSI for one local network, MN02 being one local network. The SIMOTA server can also remotely provide any new IMSI into the eUICC IMSI list and delete an IMSI that is not in use any more. The SIMOTA server can also provide a triggering function/application into the eUICC to define and execute triggers which can trigger IMSI change on the eUICC, e.g. it can add new triggers to the triggering function or delete existing triggers. A trigger may be the determination to connect to the MNO2 or e.g. a time period after the determination to connect to the MNO2, if the device is still in the MNO2 area then. The communication device 100 then moves to a geographical coverage area of the MNO2 network. A change of IMSI from MNO1 IMSI to MNO2 IMSI is triggered 2.2 by the eUICC triggering function, and eUICC changes IMSI in the SIM profile from MNO1 IMSI to MNO2 IMSI. The MNO1 IMSI that was taken out from the SIM profile is then put into the IMSI list.

[00040] A first triggering option may be that public land mobile network, PLMN has changed, the eUICC should then change IMSI in the SIM profile to the local IMSI which has the same MCC and MNC as the PLMN ID stored in the eUICC. The PLMN identity is a combination of MCC and MNC, e.g. MNO2 IMSI is the IMSI that has the same MCC and MNC code as the PLMN ID for MNO2. A second triggering option may be that location area has changed. Then eUICC should change IMSI to the local IMSI that has the same MCC and MNC as a location area identity, LAI, of the new location area, (Location area identity, =MCC+MNC+ Location Area Code, LAC) which LAI is stored in the eUICC. A change of location area gives rise to a location update request; LAI is broadcast regularly from the network broadcast message. The communication device recognizes the LAI and stores it in a storage of the eUICC.

[00041 ] According to a first alternative, only MNO2 IMSI is changed, all other access credentials e.g. subscriber key (Kl), transport key (A4 keys for

encrypt/decrypt Kl), Operator key (OPc), are still reused from MNO1 and therefore kept in the SIM profile. Authentication should be done by MNO1 HLR/AuC by using MNO1 Kl and OPc. This would save operator key space and transport key space in eUICC subscription profiles, so that eUICC can store as many

IMSIs/profiles as possible from different operators (currently eUICC maximum stores 10 subscription profiles in the case of full profiles). According to a second alternative, both IMSI and access credentials are changed to MNO2. But for both the first and the second alternative, traffic data such as APN, SMSC, Roaming list etc are still reused from MNO1 . In other words, the IMSI and access credentials of the SIM profile are then from MNO2 but the traffic data of the SIM profile are from MNO1 .

[00042] After replacing MNO1 IMSI with MNO2 IMSI in the SIM profile, the communication device resets and reconnects 2.4 to MNO2 network, i.e. Radio access network, RAN, and Core network (via Mobile Switching Center, MSC or Serving GPRS Support Node, SGSN) using MNO2 IMSI. Thereafter, according to a first alternative, an authentication request of MNO2 IMSI is reusing MNO1 Kl and MNO1 OPc, and is therefore authenticated 2.5 by MNO1 HLR/AuC. According to a second alternative, the authentication request of MNO2 IMSI is using MNO2 Kl and MNO2 OPc, and is therefore authenticated by MNO2 HLR/AuC on DCP

[00043] Subsequent signaling requests, e.g. Location update request, from MNO2 MSC, SGSN, and SMS etc. request will be routed 2.6 to MNO1 HLR on DCP. For traffic data, the communication device will still be using MNO1 , for example SMSC and APN of MNO1 . This means that the traffic data will be sent 2.7 via DCP cloud based MNO1 GGSN and SMSC. Call Detail Records, CDR, will be generated for rating and billing purposes and sent 2.8 from DCP cloud based MNO1 to MNO1 BSS. Alternatively, if the MNO1 GGSN and SMSC are situated in the MN01 network instead of in the DCP, the traffic data will be sent via the MN01 network 1 10, and then CDRs will be sent to MN01 BSS. Thereby, an enterprise owning the communication device can reuse the same services and same BSS of the MN01 even though the device is now located in MN02 network with MN02 IMSI.

[00044] Fig. 8 shows a communication device 100 operative for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network 1 10 and a number of visiting communication networks 120, 130, the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber ID. Further, a subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The communication device 100 comprises a processor 803 and a memory 804, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said communication device 100 is operative for receiving, from a network node 140, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks and determining to register with a first visiting communication network 120 of the number of visiting communication networks. The communication device 100 is further operative for selecting a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network and sending a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network 120. The communication device 100 is further operative for receiving a registration response, and sending a signaling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signaling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network 1 10.

[00045] The communication device 100 may further comprise a communication unit 802, which may be considered to comprise conventional means for

communicating from and/or to the other nodes in the network, such as the visiting network control node 122 and the SIMOTA server 140. The conventional communication means may include at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The communication device may further comprise one or more storage units 806 and further functionality 807 useful for the communication device 100 to serve its purpose as communication device. The instructions executable by said processor may be arranged as a computer program 805 stored in said memory 804. The processor 803 and the memory 804 may be arranged in an arrangement 801 . The arrangement 801 may alternatively be a micro processor and adequate software and storage therefore, a Programmable Logic Device, PLD, or other electronic component(s)/processing circuit(s) configured to perform the actions, or methods, mentioned above.

[00046] According to an embodiment, said communication device 100 may further be operative for, after the communication device has determined to register with the first visiting communication network, sending a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID and receiving a registration response. Further, when a first visiting network location criterion is fulfilled, the selecting of the first local subscriber ID, and the sending of the registration request comprising the first local subscriber ID is performed.

[00047] According to another embodiment, the selected first local subscriber ID has a PLMN identity that matches a PLMN identity of the first visiting

communication network.

[00048] According to another embodiment, said communication device 100 is further operative for, when registered to the first visiting communication network 120 using the first local subscriber ID, determining to register with a second visiting communication network 130 of the number of visiting communication networks. Further, when there is no local subscriber ID adapted for communication in the second visiting communication network, selecting the home subscriber ID, and sending a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID to the second visiting communication network. [00049] According to another embodiment, said communication device 100 is further operative for replacing, in the subscription profile, the home subscriber ID with the local subscriber ID of the determined visiting communication network.

[00050] Fig. 9 shows a network server 140 operative for communicating in a communication network comprising a home communication network 1 10, a number of visiting communication networks 120, 130 and a communication device 100 subscribing to the home communication network 1 10 with a home subscriber ID. A subscription profile is stored on the communication device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The network server 140 comprises a processor 903 and a memory 904, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said network server 140 is operative for providing to the communication device 100, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the

communication device any traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

[00051 ] The network server 140 may further comprise a communication unit 902, which may be considered to comprise conventional means for communicating from and/or to the other nodes in the network, such as the visiting network control node 122 and the communication device 100. The conventional communication means may include at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The communication device may further comprise one or more storage units 906 and further functionality 907 useful for the network server 140 to serve its purpose as network server. The instructions executable by said processor may be arranged as a computer program 905 stored in said memory 904. The processor 903 and the memory 904 may be arranged in an arrangement 901 . The arrangement 901 may alternatively be a micro processor and adequate software and storage therefore, a Programmable Logic Device, PLD, or other electronic component(s)/processing circuit(s) configured to perform the actions, or methods, mentioned above. The network server 140 may be a SIMOTA server. [00052] According to an embodiment, the network server may further be operative for sending to the communication device 100, information defining a first visiting network location criterion for selecting a first local subscriber ID for communication in the first visiting communication network.

[00053] Fig. 10 shows a communication device 100 operative for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network 1 10 and a number of visiting communication networks 120, 130, the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber ID. Further, a subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network. The communication device 100 comprises a first receiving module 1002 for receiving, from a network node 140, a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks and a determining module 1004 for determining to register with a first visiting communication network 120 of the number of visiting communication networks. Further, the communication device 100 comprises a selecting module 1006 for selecting a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network and a first sending module 1008 for sending a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network 120. Further, the communication device 100 comprises a second receiving module 1010 for receiving a registration response, and a second sending module 101 1 for sending a signaling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signaling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network 1 10. The communication device according to this embodiment may also comprise a conventional communication unit 1012 similar to the communication unit 802 of fig. 8 and a memory 1014.

[00054] Individual of the processors 803 and 903 of figs. 8 and 9, respectively, may be a single Central processing unit, CPU, but may also comprise two or more processing units. For example, the processor may include general purpose microprocessors; instruction set processors and/or related chips sets and/or special purpose microprocessors such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor may also comprise board memory for caching purposes. The computer program may be carried by a computer program product connected to the processor. The computer program product may comprise a computer readable medium on which the computer program is stored. For example, the computer program product may be a flash memory, a RAM (Random-access memory) ROM (Read-Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable

Programmable ROM).

[00055] Although the code means in the embodiments disclosed above in conjunction with figures 8-10 are implemented as a computer program which when executed by the processing unit causes the communication device and the network server, respectively, to perform the actions described above in the conjunction with figures mentioned above, at least one of the code means may in alternative embodiments be implemented at least partly as hardware circuits.

[00056] By the solutions described above, a global enterprise with a high number of communication devices spread all over the world only needs to maintain a single business relationship and billing interface with a single operator (the operator of MNO1 ) for connecting its globally deployed services, e.g. Machine-to- machine, M2M, services and devices and reusing the same service functionalities for its global business. This is achieved without requirement for roaming

agreement between MNO1 and MNO2.

[00057] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above- described embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed hereby. Moreover, it is not necessary for an apparatus or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the presently described concept, for it to be encompassed hereby.

Claims

1 . Method performed by a communication device (100) for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network (1 10) and a number of visiting communication networks (120, 130), the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber identification, ID, wherein a subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network, the method comprising:

receiving (302), from a network node (140), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks;

determining (304) to register with a first visiting communication network (120) of the number of visiting communication networks;

selecting (308) a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network;

sending (310) a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network (120);

receiving (312) a registration response, and

sending (314) a signalling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signalling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network (1 10).

2. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising, after it has been determined (304) to register with the first visiting communication network:

sending (305) a registration request comprising the home subscriber

ID;

receiving (306) a registration response, and

when a first visiting network location criterion is fulfilled (307), the selecting (308) of the first local subscriber ID and the sending (310) of the registration request comprising the first local subscriber ID is performed.

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the selected first local subscriber ID has a PLMN identity that matches a PLMN identity of the first visiting communication network.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID also comprises an authentication request using access credentials of the home communication network.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 -3, wherein the registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID also comprises an authentication request using access credentials of the first visiting communication network.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising, when registered to the first visiting communication network (120) using the first local subscriber ID:

determining (502) to register with a second visiting communication network (130) of the number of visiting communication networks,

when there is no local subscriber ID adapted for communication in the second visiting communication network,

selecting (506) the home subscriber ID, and

sending (508) a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID to the second visiting communication network.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:

replacing (309), in the subscription profile, the home subscriber ID with the local subscriber ID of the determined visiting communication network.

8. Communication device (100) operative for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network (1 10) and a number of visiting communication networks (120, 130), the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber identification, ID, wherein a subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network, the communication device (100) comprising a processor (803) and a memory (804), said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said communication device (100) is operative for:

receiving, from a network node (140), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for

communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks;

determining to register with a first visiting communication network (120) of the number of visiting communication networks;

selecting a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network;

sending a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network (120);

receiving a registration response, and

sending a signalling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signalling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network (1 10).

9. Communication device (100) according to claim 8, whereby said communication device (100) is further operative for, after the communication device has determined to register with the first visiting communication network,:

sending a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID; receiving a registration response, and

when a first visiting network location criterion is fulfilled, the selecting of the first local subscriber ID, and the sending of the registration request comprising the first local subscriber ID is performed.

10. Communication device (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the selected first local subscriber ID has a PLMN identity that matches a PLMN identity of the first visiting communication network.

1 1 . Communication device (100) according to any of claims 8-10, whereby said communication device (100) is further operative for, when registered to the first visiting communication network (120) using the first local subscriber ID:

determining to register with a second visiting communication network (130) of the number of visiting communication networks, and

selecting the home subscriber ID, and

sending a registration request comprising the home subscriber ID to the second visiting communication network.

12. Communication device (100) according to any of claims 8-1 1 , whereby said communication device (100) is further operative for:

replacing, in the subscription profile, the home subscriber ID with the local subscriber ID of the determined visiting communication network.

13. A computer program (805) comprising computer readable code means, which when run in a communication device (100) causes the communication device (100) to perform the following steps:

communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks;

sending a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network (120); receiving a registration response, and

sending a signalling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signalling request comprising the first local subscriber

ID and traffic data of the home communication network (1 10).

14. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium and a computer program (805) according to claim 13 stored on the computer readable medium.

15. Communication device (100) operative for communicating in a communication system comprising a home communication network (1 10) and a number of visiting communication networks (120, 130), the device subscribing to the home communication network with a home subscriber identification, ID, wherein a subscription profile is stored on the device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network, the communication device (100) comprising:

a first receiving module (1002) for receiving, from a network node (140), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks;

a determining module (1004) for determining to register with a first visiting communication network (120) of the number of visiting communication networks;

a selecting module (1006) for selecting a first local subscriber ID of the number of stored local subscriber IDs, which first local subscriber ID is adapted for communication in the first visiting communication network;

a first sending module (1008) for sending a registration request comprising the selected first local subscriber ID to the first visiting communication network (120);

a second receiving module (1010) for receiving a registration response, and a second sending module (101 1 ) for sending a signalling request to the determined first visiting communication network, the signalling request comprising the first local subscriber ID and traffic data of the home communication network (1 10).

16. Method performed by a network server (140) for communicating in a communication network comprising a home communication network (1 10), a number of visiting communication networks (120, 130) and a communication device (100) subscribing to the home communication network (1 10) with a home subscriber identification, ID, wherein a subscription profile is stored on the communication device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network, the method comprising:

Providing (602) to the communication device (100), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the communication device any traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

17. Method according to claim 16, further comprising sending (604) to the communication device information defining a first visiting network location criterion for selecting a first local subscriber ID for communication in the first visiting communication network.

18. A network server (140) operative for communicating in a communication network comprising a home communication network (1 10), a number of visiting communication networks (120, 130) and a communication device (100)

subscribing to the home communication network (1 10) with a home subscriber identification, ID, wherein a subscription profile is stored on the communication device, the subscription profile comprising the home subscriber ID, access credentials and traffic data of the home communication network, the network server (140) comprising a processor (903) and a memory (904), said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said network server (140) is operative for:

providing to the communication device (100), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the communication device any traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

19. Network server according to claim 18, further being operative for sending to the communication device (100) information defining a first visiting network location criterion for selecting a first local subscriber ID for communication in the first visiting communication network.

20. A computer program (905) comprising computer readable code means, which when run in a network server (140) causes the network server (140) to perform the following step:

providing to the communication device (100), a number of local subscriber IDs, individual of the number of local subscriber IDs being adapted for communication in individual of the number of visiting communication networks, but not providing to the communication device any access credentials or traffic data related to the local subscriber IDs.

21 . A computer program product comprising computer readable medium and a computer program (905) according to claim 20 stored on the computer readable medium.