According to a second aspect the present invention relates to a method for

According to a third aspect the present invention relates to at least one computer program product for managing roaming of a mobile equipment of a subscriber.

When a mobile equipment is to be roamed into a foreign network, the equipment selects the network among a list of preferred networks that resides in the equipment. The list is updated by the operator that the subscription belongs to and it contains other operators that the operator has roaming agreements with.

The list in the mobile equipment containing the allowed networks is possible to update over the air. This makes it possible for an operator to change the list when pricing models, agreements and operator constellations change. When a subscriber enters a roaming area the mobile equipment will select the preferred network from the list if it is present in the area.

The list is updated based on triggers in the system. When a subscriber enters a roaming area a new list will be sent to the mobile equipment of the subscriber from the network. The list contains the preferred operators to use.

The size of the fist is limited meaning that it will never be possible to list all the preferred networks in it.

Solutions where a special application resides on the SIM card also exists. This application communicates with a server in the network in order to keep the list updated.

The patent document US 7, 274, 917 B2 relates to the management of roaming of mobile equipment between a home network and foreign network. The roaming behaviour is based on the contents of control files saved in the mobile equipment of the subscribers. A list of networks to be used in a priority order in a roaming situation is defined in the control files. The management appiication checks the current roaming setting for the mobile equipment and the desired roaming behaviour for the iocation that the mobile equipment roamed into, As a result of the comparison, the management application adjusts the roaming setting to be in accordance with the desired roaming behaviour.

A probiem with one of the above described solutions is that when a subscriber travels to another country where he will roam into a network it is quite likely that one of the preferred networks is not defined in the fist, This means that the subscriber will use an operator that is more expensive to use for the home operator. The list can be updated from the operator in this case but the update in itself has a cost and the equipment will not change to a preferred operator automatically. This also means that the actual usage of the equipment will be more expensive for the home operator as well. To conclude, this will affect the revenue stream for the operator.

In cases were a custom application needs to reside on the SIM card, the current cards in use needs to be exchanged by the operator. This is in most cases a too expensive operation to perform for most operators.

One of the problems with the solution presented in US patent 7, 274, 917 regarding how the method reacts on an incoming trigger is that a new list is sent immediately to the mobile equipment. Depending on the circumstances, this might be an improper way to handle the trigger. For example, a subscriber might be travelling

m that country, I he described method then acts upon trw sends out a new list to the mobile equipment immediately including a cost for the home operator. Furthermore, there is no personalisation of the lists, e. g. all subscribers use the same list depending on which country they are travelling to independent of the travelling pattern of the subscribers.

The above mentioned problems are soived by a system operable to manage roaming of a mobile equipment of a subscriber, when the mobite equipment is roaming between a home network and a foreign network according to Claim 1 , The system comprises a Home Location Register connected to the home network. The system also comprises a first means for storing a first list customized for each subscriber. The first list comprises information regarding the countries visited by the mobile equipment, number of times a certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment, and for how long time the certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment. The system also comprises a second means for storing a second list customized for each subscriber. The second list comprises information about preferred operators for a part of the countries on the first list, The system also comprises a control means connected to the home network, the foreign network, the first means and the second means. The control means is operable to receive a roaming signal from the Home Location Register when the mobile equipment is roaming into another network or monitor a roaming signal intended for the Home Location Register when the mobile equipment is roaming into another network. The control means is also operable, in response to the roaming signal, to update the first list. The control means is also operable to periodically examine the first list, and if the first list has changed above a predetermined threshold value to update the second list, and thereafter to send the updated second list to the mobile

An advantage with the solution presented in Claim 1 is that it creates an optimal list containing only the preferred operators In the countries a certain subscriber has visited. Since it is likely that any given subscriber only visits a limited number of countries the actual sent updates of the second list in itself will be minimized. This means that the cost for sending updates of the second list will be minimized.

Another advantage is that the first means contains the number of times that each subscriber visits a certain country, This means that it might be a good foundation for the operator when selecting and negotiating roaming agreements with

A further advantage in this context is achieved if the control means is in

According to another embodiment it is an advantage if the control means is in the form of a statistics node connected to the first means and the Home Location Register, and in the form of a roaming subscriber node connected to the second means and the statistics node. Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if the system also comprises a data node connected to the statistics node, and a third means for storing of Call Data Records, and connected to the data node, wherein the data node is operabie to use the Call Data Records to create an initial second iist as a default list for the second means.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if the second means also is operabie to store several default lists, each matching a certain behaviour of the

The above mentioned problems are also solved with a method for managing roaming of a mobile equipment of a subscriber with the aid of ; when the mobile equipment is roaming between a home network and a foreign network according to Claim 6, The method comprises the steps: with the aid of a first means comprised in the system, to store a first list customized for each subscriber, the first list comprises information regarding the countries visited by the mobile equipment, number of times a certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment, and for how long time the certain country have been visited by the mobiie equipment; with the aid of a second means comprised in the system, to store a second list customized for each subscriber, the second list comprises information about preferred operators for a part of the countries on the first list; with the aid of a control means comprised in the system, and connected to the home network, the foreign network, the first means, the second means, and a Home Location Register comprised in the system, to receive a roaming signal from the Home Location Register when the mobile equipment is roaming into another network or monitor a roaming signal intended for the Home Location Register when the mobile equipment is roaming into another network; with the aid of the control means, in response to the roaming signal, to update the first list and to periodically examine the first list; if the first list has changed above a predetermined threshold value, with the aid the control means, to update the second list; and to send the updated second list to the mobile

An advantage with lhe method according to the present invention is that it creates an optimal list containing only the preferred operators in the countries a certain subscriber has visited. Since it is likely that any given subscriber only visits a limited number of countries the actual sent updates of the second list in itself will be minimized. This means that the cost for sending updates of the second list will be minimized. The cost for roaming in so be minimized since it is likely a preferred operator will be part of the already when the subscriber visϊ that each subscriber visits a certain country. This means that it might be a good foundation for the operator when seiecting and negotiating roaming agreements with another operator.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if the predetermined threshold vaiue can be a certain number of limes a mobite equipment have been in a certain country and/or a certain time period the mobile equipment have been in a

Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if the system also comprises a data node, and a third means for storing of Cail Data Records, and the method also comprises the step: with the aid of the data node, to use the Call Data Records to create an initial second list as a default list for the second means.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if the method also comprises the step: with the aid of the second means, to store several default lists, each matching a certain behaviour of the subscribers.

The above mentioned prαbiems are also solved with at feast one computer 20 program product according to Claim 10.

It will be noted that the term "comprises/comprising" as used in this description is intended to denote the presence of a given characteristic, step or component, without exciuding the presence of one or more other characteristic, features, integers, steps, componenls or groups thereof. Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Rg. 1 is a biock diagram of a first embodiment of a system operable to manage roaming of a mobite equipment according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a system operable manage roaming of a mobile equipment according the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a method for managing roaming of a mobile equipment according the present invention; and Fig, 4 schematically shows a number of computer program products

In fig. 1 there is disclosed a block diagram of a system 10 operable to manage roaming of a mobile equipment 12, when the mobile equipment is roaming between a home network 14 and a foreign network 16. In fig. 1 there is disclosed two foreign networks 16, and I62. The system 10 comprises a Home Location Register 18 connected to the home network 14. As aiso is apparent in fig. 1 , the system 10 also comprises a first means 20 operable to store a first list customized for each subscriber. The first list comprises information regarding the countries visited by the mobile equipment 12, number of times a certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment 12 and for how long time the certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment 12. Furthermore, the system 10 also comprises a second means 22 operable to store a second list customized for each subscriber. The second fist comprises information about preferred operators for a part of the countries on the first list. A control means 24 is connected to the home network 12, the foreign networks 16s and 182, the Home Location Register 18, the first means 20 and the second means 22. The control means 24 is operable Io receive a roaming slgnai from the Home Location Register 18 when the mobile equipment 12 is roaming into another network or monitor a roaming signal intended for the Home Location Register 18 when the mobile equipment 12 is roaming into another network, in response to the roaming signal, the control means 24 is operable to update the first list. Furthermore, the controi means 24 is also operable to periodically examine the first list, and if the first list has changed above a predetermined threshold value to update the second list. Thereafter, the control means 24 is operable to send the updated second list to the mobile equipment 12. Also disclosed in fig. 1 , are two Visit Location Registers 50 ₁

In the embodiment disciosed in fig. 1 , the control means 24 is in the form of a roaming subscriber node 24, In fig. 2 there is disclosed a second embodiment of a system 10 according to the present invention. Similar functional blocks in fig. 1 and 2 have been signs and will not be descrit embodiment, the control means 24 is divided into a statistics node 24i connected to the first means 20 and the Home Location Register 18, and a roaming subscriber node 24 ₂ connected to the second means 22 and the statistics node 24 _t . Furthermore, the system 10 also comprises a data node 26 connected to the statistics node 24i, and a third means 28 operable to store Call Data Records, The third means 28 is connected to the data node 26. The data node 26 is operable to use the Call Data Records to create an initial second list as a default list for the second means 22.

In fig. 3 there Is disclosed a flow chart of a method for managing roaming of a mobile equipment of a subscriber with the aid of a system 10, The method begins at block 80. The method continues, at block 62, with the step: with the aid of a first means 20 comprised in the system 10 (see fig. 1 and 2), to store a first list customized for each subscriber. The first list comprises information regarding the countries visited by the mobile equipment 12, number of times a certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment 12 and for how long time the certain country have been visited by the mobile equipment 12. Thereafter, the method continues, at block 84, with the step: with the aid of a second means 22 comprised in the system 10, to store a second list customized for each subscriber. The second iist comprises information about preferred operators for a part of the countries on the first list. The method continues, at block 66, with the step: with the aid of a control means 24 comprised in the system 10, to receive a roaming signal from the Home Location Register 18 when the mobile equipment 12 is roaming into another network or to monitor a roaming signal intended for the Home Location Register 18 when the mobile equipment 12 is roaming into another network. Thereafter, the method continues, at block 68, with the step: in response to the roaming signal, with the aid of the control means 24, to update the first list, and in step 70, to periodically examine the first list. At block 72 the question is asked if the first list has changed above a predetermined threshold value? If the answer is negative, the step according to block 70 is performed again. If, on the other hand, the answer is affirmative, the method continues, at block 74, with the step: with the aid of the control means 24, to update the second list. Thereafter, the method continues, at block 78, with the step: to send the updated second list to the mobile equipment 12. The method is completed at The network contains a database that keeps track of the movement of any subscriber and populates the list with the preferred roaming operators according to the movement. This means thai in time the list for any given subscriber wilt contain the preferred operators for the countries that the subscriber visits.

The database contains two lists for each subscriber:

1. Country list thai contains often visited countries. This list is upd as soon as the subscriber is roamed into another network,

2. Roaming list that contains the preferred operators to use. Thisϋ the one that is sent to the mobile device.

The country lists are updated using the following procedure: ger a roaming

2. The country list is updated with information about the country in question, the time and which operator that the device roamed into. The number of times in conjunction with an approximative indication about how ioπg a certain country has been visited is aiso a part of

The roaming lists are updated using the following procedure:

1. The periodical timer has reached the time threshold thus starting this update Job,

Popuiate the roaming list using information about which countries the subscriber has visited and use the preferred operator(s) for each country. Note that if the user hasn't been long enough or too few times in one country, the list will not be updated with preferred operators for this country. This can be seen as an hysteresis for the

4, if the list is changed then send the updated roaming list to the device. roaming list for any given subscriber is a default list that is selected by the operator. The default list can be changed over time depending on changes in the roaming agreements or similar circumstances. It can also be changed depending on how subscribers roams into other networks. For example, if many subscribers often visits a certain country the default list should be updated to contain the preferred operator for that country. This update procedure can be a part of the standard periodical update where the default list is changed over time. The invention can also handle a situation where there exists several default lists, each matching a certain known behaviour of the subscribers. This behaviour can be monitored using the method described above, e.g. by collecting data of the subscribers and then use this data for creating the default lists. Default lists can also be created manually by the operator that matches known behaviours of the subscribers. The different default lists are then used initialiy for each subscriber by either pre-selecting a certain list due to knowledge about how the subscriber wiil use his device, for example Iravels frequentiy to a certain country or has a subscription with a low cost for calling a specific country or set of countries. A certain default list can also be automatically assigned for a subscriber by monitoring his behaviour for a specific time period and then automatically assign a default list to him that matches his behaviour. For example, if a subscriber calls a certain country a lot, it is iikely that he in time will travel to that country and therefore a default list containing a preferred operator for that country is assigned to the subscriber. Note that the assignment of good default lists is important since it will decrease the cost for the operator due to that any subscriber will use a preferred roaming operator initialiy. Furthermore, It isn't necessary for the home operator to send an updated list to a subscriber when he visits that country since a preferred operator already is a part of the fist. Thus is the cost for performing the actual update of the list also minimised,

Note that the need to have different default lists that are used initially is preferred since there is a limited size of the number of entries in the lists and that it is impossible to have all preferred operators in the list, In fig, 4 there is schematicaiiy disclosed some computer program products

102i, .,., 102n according to the present invention. In fig. 4, n different digital computers 100i, ..., 100n are shown, wherein n is an integer. In fig. 4, n different computer program products 1021, 102n are shown, here shown in the form of iscs. The different computer program ioadabϊe into the Internal memory of the n different computers 100i, ..., 100. Each computer program product 102i, ..., 102,, comprises software code portions for executing all the steps according to fig. 3, when the product/products is/are run on the computers 10O ₁ , .... 100. The computer program products 102 _{1 s} ... ₃ 102,-, may, for instance, be in the form of diskettes, RAM discs, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical discs or some other suitable products.

The invention Is not limited to the described embodiments. It will be evident for those skilled in the art that many different modifications are feasible within the scope of the folfowinc