A system and methodology that can facilitate communication between home and roaming radio access networks by employing IP-based messaging is provided. The system employs a Distributed Roaming Master (DRM) that facilitates authentication and/or authorization of roaming UEs (user equipment) by employing information, which can be downloaded from a home carrier-DRM over an IP network, in advance or in real time. Further, the DRM can utilize the downloaded information to route data packets between authorized roaming UEs and end-destinations, over the IP network. Furthermore, the system can implement Distributed Roaming Servers (DRS), which can be distributed at strategic points in the radio access networks and can perform a subset of functions performed by the DRM. Additionally, the system can include a Distributed Roaming Configuration Server (DRCS) that facilitates management and configuration of the DRM and/or DRSs based on one or more records stored in a Distributed Roaming Security Catalog (DRSC).