USSD Call

Back
By Engineer
Rawand Dlshad Ali
IREG eng. Company
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Solution/International
Roaming
Prepaid

There are many ways to implement

prepaid roaming. Currently, most of the
prepaid roaming implementations utilize
the capabilities provided by
1

2
USSD Call Back
USSD deploys a callback mechanism as you know
,For each outgoing call initiated by a roamer,
there will be two call legs—an international call
leg back home and a follow-on call. That make
call cost v.high because it is surely not an
efficient way to handle the call.
For that you can use USSD call Back service,
But the user needs to initiate the service by
using a special service code. However,
implementing prepaid roaming with USSD is
rather simple, fast, cheaper, and supported by
almost all existing networks, providing a global
footprint.
How USSD Call Back
Work?
1. The roamer keys in ∗1XY∗0770 XXX XXXX#
and presses the <SEND/OK> button to initiate a
call to subscriber 0770 XXXX in another
network.
2. The VPLMN MSC/VLR transfers this USSD string
to the HPLMN HLR.
3. The HPLMN HLR passes this string to the
prepaid roaming platform
4. After the required precall checks, the prepaid
roaming platform initiates two outgoing calls
(i.e., one to the roamer and one to the
requested Called party) and connects
USSD Call Call flow

3. Out bound call

USSD
MSC/VLR HLR Gatewa
2. MAP/SS7 USSD y & Call
trigger
Call Reguest progess

4. Fixed or mobile
net

1.*1XY*0770
5.0770 XXX
RomeXXXX #
r
USSD string coding.

The length and content of a USSD string is

very flexible. USSD utilizes the characters
“∗,” “#,” and all the digits, If the user keys
in a string coding scheme the USSD
handlers in the MS, the MSC, the VLR, and
the HLR treat it as a USSD request. The
character “∗” is used to indicate the
beginning of a USSD string. It is also used
as a separator between two parameters.
The character “#” is used to terminate a
USSD string.
USSD string coding.
The formatting rules to create a USSD string are
summarized as follows.
Roamer initiated USSD
operation
When a roamer invokes a USSD request (e.g., a
prepaid roamer initiates USSD callback) by keying
in the appropriate code (containing the HPLMN
service code), the USSD handler within the MS
invokes the USSD request by sending a REGISTER
message to the network.
The REGISTER message contains a process
unstructured SS request invoke component. The
serving MSC, on receiving a USSD request
containing an HPLMN service code, sets up a
transaction to the VLR and forwards the request
unchanged.
Roamer initiated USSD
operation
MSC will act in a transparent mode to any further
Requests/responses for this transaction, passing
them between the MS and the VLR without taking
any action.
When a VLR receives a USSD request containing an
HPLMN service code, it sets up a transaction to the
HLR and forwards the request unchanged. The VLR
then acts in a transparent mode to any further
requests/responses for this transaction. Passing
them between the MSC and the HLR without taking
Any action.
Roamer initiated USSD
operation
When the HLR receives the USSD request, it
processes and invokes the appropriate
application, i.e., a prepaid roaming
platform. The application, as an option, may
request further information in order to
perform the requested operation or
terminate the dialogue. If the application
requests more information, it initiates a
USSD request , using the ongoing
transaction. If the application decides to
terminate the dialogue, the network side
sends a release complete message. The MS
 Roamer initiated USSD
operation
VPLMN nal HPLM USSD
Internatio

t MasterMSC
text styles
VLR
Gatway
HLR
Gatewa

N
CCS7/MA y & Call
P progess

USSD
Process
l Reque USSD Process
st request USSD Process
request USSD Process
request USSD
request
Response
Response USSD
Response USSD
Response USSD
Respon USSD
se
USSD
Process unstructured SS
request.
The MAP process unstructured SS request
procedure is used to relay USSD information
between the:
MSC and the VLR
VLR and the HLR
HLR and the gsmSCF
Process unstructured SS
request.
The process unstructured SS request
message contains the following
parameters:
USSD data coding scheme: This parameter contains the
alphabet and the language information used for the
unstructured information in a USSD operation. The coding of
this parameter is according to the cell broadcast data coding
scheme as specified in 3GPP TS 23.038.
USSD string :This parameter contains a string of
unstructured information The string is sent either by the
mobile user or the network.
MSISDN :Originating subscriber international number. The
MSISDN is an optional parameter.
Process unstructured SS
request.
The receiving entity, on unsuccessful
outcome of the service, returns a user error.
The possible error types are as follows:

System failure: This indicates that the requested task could

not be completed because of a problem in another entity.

Data missing: This indicates that the context is missing in

the received message.

Unexpected data value: This error is returned if the

receiver is not able to deal with the contents of the USSD
string.
Process unstructured SS
request.
Illegal subscriber: The receiving entity indicates
that the delivery of the USSD failed because the
destination MS failed authentication.
Illegal equipment: The receiving entity indicates
that the delivery of the USSD failed because the
destination MS failed the IMEI check.
Illegal equipment: The receiving entity indicates
that the delivery of the USSD failed because the
destination MS failed the IMEI check.
Prepaid roaming—USSD
How the USSD call back work when a roamer
from B PLMN visit APLMN make a USSD call
callback scenario
back to call C number (fixed line belong to C
network?
Ans:
.See the next call flow
 HPLMN Application
VPLMN Server PrP SSP Local
USSD
Master MSC/VL
text styles HLR Gatew
ay
Roaming
Platform
Switch C
R net

USSD
*155*C Process USS
request USSD
#
*155*C# *155*C#
USSD ACk
Process USS
USSD response Send rout
ACK Provide info MSISDN
Roaming
Number(IMSI)
MSRN
SRI
ack(MSRN) Initiate Call
CgP=A
IAM (MSRN) CdP=MSRN
Setup

Alert
ANM
Initiate Call
CgP=A IAM (MSRN)
CdP=C
ACM
ANM
Speech
Call Flow Description

The USSD handler at the MS, on

recognizing a valid USSD string,sends
a register message with an invoke
process unstructured SS request
to the serving MSC. This message
contains the USSD data coding
scheme and USSD string.
The USSD handler within MSC
analyzes the service code on realising
that the service code is not meant for
A USSD acknowledgment is sent by
the HLR to the roamer by the same
transaction.
The application performs precall
checks. For example, it checks if the
caller is authorized to make such a
call and if there is enough credit
balance in the caller’s account. If the
caller does not qualify, an appropriate
notification is sent by using the
unstructured SS notify procedure.
If the caller qualifies, the
application initiates a mobile
Call Flow Description

On answer from the roamer, a

suitable announcement or tone is fed
to the roamer indicating the call
progress.
The prepaid roaming platform then
initiates a second outgoing call toward
called party C, using ISUP procedures.
On answer from called party C, a
circuit-switched call is established
between the roamer and the called
 Questions?
For questions or more details or any
idea to make this presentation more
useful for all.
Send emial to:
www.rawand.ali@asiacell.com
Or
rawandtxt@yahoo.com

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