Network support for roaming optimization

Abstract

An apparatus in one example has: a home network and at least one partner network; a mobile terminal associated with the home network; a high threshold for use when the mobile terminal roams from the home network to the partner network; and a minimum threshold for use when the mobile terminal roams from the partner network to the home network.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a high threshold for roaming out of a home network; and    a minimum threshold for roaming into the home network.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the high threshold is exceeded, the mobile terminal roams from the home network.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the minimum threshold is met, the mobile terminal immediately roams to the home network.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the high threshold is a predetermined high signal strength from≧3 off-network cells.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the high threshold is a best signal from a predetermined off-network cell.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the minimum threshold is a predetermined minimum signal strength from≧2 off-network cells.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the minimum threshold is an absence of a best signal from a predetermined off-network cell.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the high threshold is exceeded, the mobile terminal roams from the home network to a partner network, and wherein the roaming mobile terminal continues the call.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the high threshold is exceeded, the mobile terminal roams from the home network to a partner network, and wherein the roaming mobile terminal places a new call in the partner network.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a home network and at least one partner network;    a mobile terminal associated with the home network;    a high threshold for use when the mobile terminal roams from the home network to the partner network; and    a minimum threshold for use when the mobile terminal roams from the partner network to the home network.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein, when the high threshold is exceeded, the mobile terminal roams from the home network to a partner network.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein, when the minimum threshold is met, the mobile terminal roams from the partner network to the home network.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein, when the minimum threshold is met, the mobile terminal immediately roams from the partner network to the home network.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the high threshold is a predetermined high signal strength from≧3 off-network cells.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the high threshold is a best signal from a predetermined off-network cell.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the minimum threshold is a predetermined minimum signal strength from≧2 off-network cells.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the minimum threshold is an absence of a best signal from a predetermined off-network cell.  
   
   
       18 . A method, comprising the steps of: 
 conducting a telephone call for a mobile terminal;    roaming from a home network when a high threshold is exceeded; and    returning to the home network when a minimum threshold is met.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein, when the high threshold is exceeded, the mobile terminal roams from the home network to a partner network, and wherein, when the minimum threshold is met, the mobile terminal roams from the partner network to the home network.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the high threshold is a predetermined high signal strength from≧3 off-network cells, and wherein the minimum threshold is a predetermined minimum signal strength from≧2 off-network cells.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the high threshold is a best signal from a predetermined off-network cell, and wherein the minimum threshold is an absence of a best signal from a predetermined off-network cell.