Priority internet access via wifi networks during emergency situations

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a clearinghouse AAA server receives, from a WiFi network AAA server of a WiFi network, a request for a priority UE to access an external data network via the WiFi network, accesses a Declared Emergency Location Registry (DELR) database to determine whether a current emergency situation has been declared for the WiFi network, determines whether the priority UE is authenticated and authorized to access the external data network via the WiFi network, and determines whether the priority UE should receive priority or non-priority access to the external data network via the WiFi network. Depending on the situation, the WiFi network may be the UE's home WiFi network or a visited WiFi network having a roaming agreement with the home WiFi network. In this way, priority UEs can receive priority access to external data networks via Wifi networks during declared emergency situations.