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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 6/10

Apple patents way to check if satellite phone is really in the right spot

Apple describes a method for satellite networks to verify a device's claimed location by sending specific control signals on the exact beam covering that area. If the device does not respond to these signals, the network assumes it is not actually in that zone and can block access to local services. This helps ensure devices follow the correct rules and charging plans for their specific geographic location.

Why it mattersThis is interesting for anyone following satellite internet expansion, as it shows how providers might prevent users from accessing services they are not physically entitled to in a specific region.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods for radio access network (RAN)-based user equipment (UE) location verification mechanisms are discussed herein. These may be used to verify a UE's report that it is in a geographical area served by a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell that has a given set of applicable regulations, charging schemes, content access rules, etc. (e.g., that may be different than those for another geographical area covered by the same NTN cell). In embodiments, the base station may determine that the UE is not located in the reported geographical area based on: a failure to receive a response to a radio resource control (RRC) configuration message, scheduling information message, and/or paging on a beam of the NTN cell associated with the reported geographical area, and/or a determination that a preferred beam indicated by a measurement report from the UE does not correspond to a beam for the reported geographical area.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method of a base station, comprising: receiving, from a user equipment (UE), via a non-terrestrial network (NTN) payload operating a serving cell of the base station, a reported location indicating that the UE is located in a geographical area of the serving cell corresponding to a beam used by the NTN payload; performing verification on the reported location by: sending, to the UE, via the NTN payload, one of a radio resource control (RRC) configuration message and a scheduling information message on the beam; and determining, based on a failure to receive a response from the UE to the one of the RRC configuration message and the scheduling information message, that the UE is not located in the geographical area as indicated by the reported location; and restricting an operation of the UE with a network service for the geographical area based on the determination that the UE is not located in the geographical area.

Facts

Company
Apple (APPLE INC.)
Official title
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RADIO ACCESS NETWORK BASED USER EQUIPMENT LOCATION VERIFICATION
Publication number
US20260261958A1
Application number
18878700
Filed
Jul 20, 2023
Published
Sep 3, 2026
Inventors
8
Claims
19

Classified under

H04W 48/04 Electricity & electronicsH04W 64/00 Electricity & electronicsH04W 84/06 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.