Multi-tier service and secure wireless communications networks

摘要

The present invention pertains to improved communication quality and security of transmission in cellular communication networks. A customer has the option to pay different fees for different tiers of service relating to voice quality, bandwidth access, and different tiers of service relating to communications security. Higher tiers may guarantee a specific vocoder or bit rate is used, or guarantee a specific encryption protocol is use to ensure secure communications. Different tiers may be associated with customers' records for billing purposes. The network may afford high end devices higher voice quality and/or security via a lookup table indicating what level of service is associated with a given device. Calling or receiving devices may negotiate with each other to change to a more robust vocoder or bit rate to ensure a higher quality and/or security. Furthermore, the user may opt to change the quality and/or security level before or during a call.

主权项

1. A method of setting a security level in a cellular communication network comprising a plurality of base stations, a plurality of mobile stations and a network server, the network server having a customer record database associated therewith, the method comprising:
receiving, by the cellular communication network, an incoming call by a first one of the plurality of mobile stations, the first mobile station being registered with the cellular communication network; determining a security level associated with the first mobile station; and selecting a security protocol for use by the first mobile station, the selection being determined by the first mobile station's security level; wherein determining the security level includes:
determining a model number of the first mobile station according to an indicator associated with the first mobile station, the indicator received in a data packet and specifying a particular security level that the cellular communication network is to use for communication with the first mobile station.