Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors apply a WWAN-specific differential traffic control policy to Internet data service provided using the WWAN modem. Based on the applied policy, an application program interface (API) can indicate to particular applications that Internet data service available via the WWAN modem to other applications is not available to those particular applications.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving information identifying a first Internet data service of two or more Internet data services accessible to a user of an end-user communications device via a wireless network; generating instructions based on the information, the instructions for causing the end-user communications device to generate a first measure of the first Internet data service and for causing the end-user communications device to report the first measure to a network-attached server, the first measure expressing data usage only for the first Internet data service of the two or more Internet data services; providing the instructions to the end-user communications device; and determining whether the first measure is consistent with a second measure of the first Internet data service, the second measure generated independently from generation by the end-user communications device of the first measure.

Abstract: An end-user mobile device has a cellular network modem that is capable of communication over multiple carrier access networks. Prior to activation of the device with any cellular carrier, a secure credential memory stores a set of pre-activation credentials. One or more device agents detect an attempt by a user to use the device in a manner that would require a cellular connection to communicate Internet data, where such attempt is not allowed by a pre-activation service policy. Such an occurrence triggers the device agents to guide a device activation sequence that uses the pre-activation credentials to connect via a carrier access network to an activation server, which downloads service options to the device for multiple cellular service carriers. When the user selects one of the options, the activation sequence further guides the device to receive and securely store permanent credentials. The device subsequently uses the permanent credentials to access the network of the selected service carrier.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. A memory stores a network service activity control policy set that includes multiple differential traffic control policy elements applicable respectively to different end-user applications. One or more processors are configured to implement an application program interface (API) to control application access to Internet data services communicated through the modems. The API selectively blocks or allows Internet access activities by each of the end-user applications based on their respective traffic control policy elements and based on the modem to be used for the Internet access activities.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors classify when an application is interacting in the device foreground with a user. For a time period when data for Internet service activities is communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy to selectively block and allow network access for an application based on whether the application is classified as interacting in the device foreground with a user. The processors provide a network access condition to the application through an application program interface (API), and thus can indicate that Internet data service is unavailable to that particular application based on the classification. A different policy may apply to WLAN modem usage and/or to different WWAN networks.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors determine when an application is running in a background state or as a foreground application. The processors control application access for Internet service activities through an application program interface (API). At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy to selectively block and allow network access for an application based on the determination as to whether the application is running in a background state or as a foreground application. A different policy may apply to WLAN modem usage.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer-readable medium for enabling a mobile end user device to access one or more Internet data services via a mobile communications network, obtain one or more usage value updates, each usage value update reflecting a used amount of the one or more Internet data services by a first application on the mobile end user device, establish that a notification condition associated with the first application has been met or a user has requested a notification of data usage by the first application, and, in response to the establishing, presenting, through a user interface of the mobile end user device, a notification message comprising an estimate of an amount of the one or more Internet data services used by or still available to the first application, the estimate being based on at least one of the one or more usage value updates.

Abstract: A method performed by a network system communicatively coupled to a device over a wireless access network, the method comprising transmitting a traffic flow to, or receiving the traffic flow from, a software application on the device, the traffic flow comprising one or more related data transfers over the wireless access network, the traffic flow being routed between the software application and the network system through an assisting element comprising a control application or a proxy agent on the device, wherein the traffic flow has a characteristic associating the traffic flow with the first software application, the characteristic preserving the association between the traffic flow and the software application when the traffic flow is routed by the one or more assisting elements; identifying the characteristic; and implementing at least a portion of a control, accounting, or notification service policy based on the identified characteristic.

Abstract: A method performed by a network system communicatively coupled to a device over a wireless access network, the method comprising transmitting a traffic flow to, or receiving the traffic flow from, a software application on the device, the traffic flow comprising one or more related data transfers over the wireless access network, the traffic flow being routed between the software application and the network system through an assisting element comprising a control application or a proxy agent on the device, wherein the traffic flow has a characteristic associating the traffic flow with the first software application, the characteristic preserving the association between the traffic flow and the software application when the traffic flow is routed by the one or more assisting elements; identifying the characteristic; and implementing at least a portion of a control, accounting, or notification service policy based on the identified characteristic.

Abstract: A method performed by a wireless end-user hardware device that is configured to connect to a wireless access network via associated device circuitry, the method including monitoring at a service interface layer attempts by the plurality of end-user applications to communicate over the wireless access network, determining that connectivity to the wireless access network is available and that a data service plan is not active, communicating with an activation server over the wireless access network and either i) opening an interface through which the end-user may enroll, subscribe or otherwise activate the data service plan and communicating with the activation server to activate the data service plan or ii) executing an application that automatically exchanges previously entered credentials with the activation server to activate the data service plan.

Abstract: A method performed by a network system operated by or on behalf of a service provider, the network system capable of communicating with a user device over a wireless access network, the method comprising establishing, in cooperation with software running on the user device, a secure link between the network system and the software, the secure link for preventing unauthorized access to communications between the software and the network system; providing, to the software over the secure link, first information enabling the software to assist a user of the user device to view, select, or change an aspect of a service plan associated with the user device; and providing, to the software over the secure link, second information, the second information enabling the software to present, through a user interface of the user device, a notification about a past or current service usage by the user device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a network device implements a service profile for assisting control of a communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings for the communications device; monitors use of the service by the communications device based on the service profile; and modifies a service policy setting to achieve a service usage goal.

Abstract: A method performed by a first client-side device agent, instantiated on a hardware device that is configured to connect to a data-handling network via associated device circuitry, comprising receiving configuration data in the form of non-executable data, configuring the first client-side device agent such that the first client-side device agent has a first configuration specifying a first application on the hardware device, monitoring substantially in real-time a flow of packets between the of applications and a server-side device, selecting packets based on their association with the application, modifying or appending packet header information for the selected packets, and transmitting modified or appended packets configured such that they are routed based on the modified or appended packet header information.

Abstract: A system operated by a network operator monitors traffic over a wireless network communicatively coupling the system to a device that includes a plurality of applications, a first application of the plurality of applications enabling the device to access a particular network end point that is outside of the wireless network; identifies, within the traffic, data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application; obtains an offset based on a use of the wireless access network for the data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application; and allocates at least a portion of the offset to an account associated with a sponsor responsible for paying for or subsidizing at least a portion of the use of the wireless access network for the data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application.

Abstract: A technique involves modular storage of network service plan components and provisioning of same. A subset of the capabilities of a service design system can be granted to a sandbox system to enable customization of service plan offerings or other controls.

Abstract: Enterprise and consumer billing allocation for wireless communication device service usage activities is provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings, and the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; and monitors use of the service based on the service profile.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings, and the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; and monitors use of the service based on the service profile.

Abstract: A method performed by a network system operated by a network operator, the method comprising monitoring traffic over a network communicatively coupling the network system to a device that includes an application enabling the device to access, over the network, a particular end point that is outside of the network and operated by or on behalf of an entity other than the network operator; identifying, within the traffic, data transfers associated with access to the particular end point by the application; obtaining an offset based on the data transfers associated with access to the particular end point by the application; allocating at least a portion of the offset to an account associated with a sponsor, wherein the sponsor is not a user or a subscriber associated with the device; and sending information to the device to assist in causing a user interface of the device to present a notification.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service policy for assisting billing for the communications device use of a service on a network; and monitors use of the service based on the service policy, in which a local service usage is synchronized with a network based service usage.