Re: [PATCH 1/4] DTD changes for mms, prepaid, wap

[Marcel Holtmann <marcel holtmann org>]

Hi Andrew,

> > > > > diff --git a/serviceproviders.2.dtd b/serviceproviders.2.dtd
> > > > > index d150a99..a0c5a31 100644
> > > > > --- a/serviceproviders.2.dtd
> > > > > +++ b/serviceproviders.2.dtd
> > > > > @@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
> > > > > 
> > > > >                 password?,
> > > > >                 dns*)>
> > > > >  
> > > > >  <!ATTLIST apn value CDATA #REQUIRED>
> > > > > 
> > > > > +<!ATTLIST apn type (mms|prepaid|wap) #IMPLIED>
> > > > 
> > > > I would propose "internet", "mms" and "wap" as types. That is really
> > > > what we care about. What can you do with this context.
> > > > 
> > > > The only tricky part is that in some cases some providers use the same
> > > > APN for Internet access and MMS. We could just list the context twice
> > > > in that case or have a list of types per context.
> > > > 
> > > > Android seems to use comma separated string for this. Where there also
> > > > have some custom defined types like special Assisted GPS contexts. That
> > > > seems to be Nokia specific detail in some countries with a total
> > > > different billing concept.
> > > > 
> > > > In addition to the actual type of the APN, I like to see an attribute
> > > > for the "plan". So we can differentiate between "broadband", "prepaid"
> > > > and others.
> > > 
> > > How would you describe the association between MMS and internet APNs? For
> > > example in the UK Vodafone has the following APN usage:
> > > 
> > > Contract Plan (MMS retrieval bandwidth is zero rated)
> > > ========
> > > internet access is via 'internet' APN
> > > MMS retrieval is via 'wap.vodafone.co.uk' APN
> > > 
> > > Prepay Plan (MMS retrieval bandwidth is charged too)
> > > =======
> > > internet access is via 'pp.internet' APN
> > > MMS retrieval is via 'pp.internet' APN
> > > 
> > > So it's important to select the correct APN for your plan even when
> > > retrieving MMS as either it won't function with your SIM, or you'll get
> > > charged for bandwidth when you shouldn't
> > 
> > that is exactly my point in separating these:
> > 
> > 	wap.vodafone.co.uk ==> type="mms" plan="contract"
> > 	pp.internet        ==> type="mms" plan="prepaid"
> > 
> > So you can define a type with different plan details.
> > 
> In your example is 'contract' a well known type or a unique identifier of 
> another APN? So would that handle the situation where there are two prepaid 
> plans and each has a respective MMS APN?

it would be a well known plan type to differentiate between pre-paid and
post-paid plans.

Keep in mind that we are mainly looking into the possibility to
automatically provision SIM cards the best we can. And this without any
user interaction. Obviously that only works so far, but just knowing
that you are on a post-paid vs pre-paid plan should give us pretty much
a good idea. That said, there are always weird operator setups and
products (aka plans) from some operators that screw this up.

Regards

Marcel