Network-based system and method for global roaming

Abstract

Systems and methods of mobile communication roaming where a subscriber's home network and a roaming network used by the subscriber do not have a roaming agreement. Roaming between an alliance of coordinated operators having bilateral roaming relationships and operators who do not have roaming agreements with the alliance is provided. By subscribing to the system, a non-alliance operator can gain roaming access to alliance networks having existing bilateral roaming relationships. An authentication message is received from a roaming network in which a subscriber is roaming and the message is authenticated if there is a roaming relationship. The authentication message is forwarded to the home network via an alliance network and responsive to the indication that the authentication message was received at a roaming network, roaming transactions are enabled for the subscriber within the roaming network.