An AAA based service customization framework for public WLANs

An important aspect of providing ubiquitous coverage is service portability to different access network technologies. Current public WLAN deployments lack enablers for a proper delivery of value added data services to which the user may have subscribed in his home cellular network. The paper addresses some of the challenges associated with delivering such value added data services over public WLANs. It suggests enhancements to the currently deployed public WLAN AAA infrastructure by separating user authentication from service authorization. It further proposes that the user´s home network get additional information from the public WLAN operator as part of the initial user authentication. This information can be used by the home network to authorize or customize home network based services delivered to the user. The proposed enhancements would leverage the existing WLAN AAA infrastructure for carrying this information.