Method and system for cellular network traffic redirection

Abstract

A method and system for countering anti-traffic redirection of a roaming mobile station is provided. Observing registration messages exchanged between the visiting network and the home network, the disclosed invention detects if the visiting network has deployed an anti-traffic-redirection mechanism as aimed at fooling the home network into permitting connection with a non-preferred network. The invention also provides for a way to steer the roamer to reattempt connection with a preferred network.

1 - 50 . (canceled)  
   
   
       51 . A method for controlling wireless network traffic, the method comprising: 
 determining when a roaming mobile station initiates a registration attempt with a non-preferred network, wherein initiating comprises the mobile station sending a message to a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) to update its location; and    receiving a response at the mobile station indicating that the registration attempt is terminated, wherein the response comprises an error message.    
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein determining when a roaming mobile station initiates a registration attempt with a non-preferred network comprises reading a location update request from the mobile station.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the error message comprises a message that an update location transaction is aborted.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the error message comprises timing out a response to the location update request.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein determining when a roaming mobile station initiates a registration attempt with a non-preferred network comprises sending an authentication request from a visited network.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the error message comprises a message that a send authentication information transaction is aborted.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the error message comprises timing out a response to the authentication request.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the error message comprises a message that roaming is restricted.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising: 
 the mobile station sending a subsequent registration attempt with a subsequent network;    if the subsequent network is determined to be a non-preferred network, receiving the response at the mobile station indicating that the registration attempt is terminated; and    if the subsequent network is determined to be a preferred network, proceeding with the registration attempt, wherein the mobile station is not otherwise aware of which networks are preferred and which networks are non-preferred.    
   
   
       60 . A system for directing roaming network traffic, the system comprising: 
 a communications relationship with Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) that is a home network of a mobile station;    a Visiting Public Mobile Network (VPMN) configured to communicate with the HPMN via a signaling network, wherein the mobile station is roaming when in the VPMN; and    a traffic redirection node configured to monitor signaling between the HPMN and the VPMN, including determining when the mobile station is roaming in the VPMN and whether the VPMN is a preferred network, wherein if the VPMN is not a preferred network, receiving a message from the HPMN at the mobile station to terminate a current transaction between the VPMN and the HPMN.    
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the transaction is selected from a group consisting of 
 an update location transaction;    a request for authentication information; and    a message indicating that the current transaction is timed out.    
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein: 
 the mobile station is configured to receive the message and in response, attempt to register with a subsequent VPMN, wherein the mobile station is not aware of which networks are preferred and which networks are non-preferred; and    the traffic redirection node is further configured to monitor signaling between the HPMN and the subsequent VPMN, including determining whether the subsequent VPMN is a preferred network, wherein if the subsequent VPMN is not a preferred network, the HPMN sends a message to the mobile station to terminate a current transaction between the subsequent VPMN and the HPMN.    
   
   
       63 . A method for directing a network entity to a particular network, the method comprising: 
 detecting a roaming network entity is registering with a visited network;    detecting the visited network is a non-preferred network; and    initiating a redirection message to the network entity that causes the network entity to search for a preferred network.    
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein detecting the roaming network entity is registering with a visited network includes tapping a message and determining at least a Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a Mobile Network Code (MNC).  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the message is an Update Location message.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 receiving the redirection message at an over-the-air (OTA) server;    encrypting the message; and    forwarding the message to a short message service center (SMSC)>   
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 determining whether the network entity includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) toolkit application (STK); and    if the network identity includes an STK, initiating redirection with the STK.    
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 if the network identity includes an STK, determining whether a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list is on the SIM; and    if not, forwarding a PLMN list to the SIM.    
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 in response to the message, initiating redirection procedures; and    updating information on the SIM, including: 
 a home PLMN search time period;  
 a PLMN selector file; and  
 a location information file.  
   
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 in response to the message, issuing a RUN AT+COPS command to select a specific network.    
   
   
       71 . A system for directing wireless network traffic, the system comprising: 
 a network operator backend, including an OTA interface; and    a traffic redirection network entity, wherein the traffic redirection network entity communicates with a mobile station to direct registration with a particular network when the mobile station attempts registration with a non-preferred network.    
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the traffic redirection network entity comprises a traffic redirection node, a traffic redirection roaming probe, and a traffic redirection application.  
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein, in a passive mode, the traffic redirection network entity monitors a signaling link between a home network and an SS7 signaling network to determine a network the mobile station is currently registered with.  
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein, in an active mode, the traffic redirection node is in a signaling path between a visited location register in a visited network and a home location register in a home network that determines a network the mobile station is currently registered with.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein, in an active mode, the traffic redirection node is in a signaling path between a visited location register in a visited network and a home location register in a home network.