Abstract: The present invention faces the issue of authorizing redirection services in PCC architecture and provides for a PCRF server adapted to determine redirection per service in an IP-CAN session, a PCEF device adapted to receive redirection information per service basis, to determine redirection per service request and to trigger the redirection; and a method of authorizing a redirection service in a PCC architecture, comprising: upon an IP-CAN session establishment or modification, a PCEF device requesting control rules; a PCRF server determining services requiring redirection and answering with control rules and redirection information per service basis; installing at the PCEF device the control rules and redirection information; upon a first request for a service, the PCEF device determining the service redirection and returning a redirection message with a redirection identifier; and upon completion of the service redirection, the first request for the service reaching the PCEF, the PCEF verifying the service

Abstract: For authorizing redirection services in a policy and charging control architecture, a policy and charging control rules function (PCRF) server determines control rules and redirection information per service in an internet protocol connectivity access network session, and a policy charging and enforcement function (PCEF) device receives control rules and redirection information per service basis, determines redirection per service request, and triggers the redirection. Upon a first request for a service, the PCEF device returns a redirection message with a redirection identifier; and upon completion of the service redirection, the first request for the service reaching the PCEF, the PCEF verifies the service is authorized and submits a service allowance toward the service server in charge of the service. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention faces the issue of authorizing redirection services in PCC architecture and provides for a PCRF server adapted to determine redirection per service in an IP-CAN session, a PCEF device adapted to receive redirection information per service basis, to determine redirection per service request and to trigger the redirection; and a method of authorizing a redirection service in a PCC architecture, comprising: upon an IP-CAN session establishment or modification, a PCEF device requesting control rules; a PCRF server determining services requiring redirection and answering with control rules and redirection information per service basis; installing at the PCEF device the control rules and redirection information; upon a first request for a service, the PCEF device determining the service redirection and returning a redirection message with a redirection identifier; and upon completion of the service redirection, the first request for the service reaching the PCEF, the PCEF verifying the service

Abstract: In scenarios where the quality of service is negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are actually carried through a bearer layer, application functions at the signalling layer are not always aware of how quality of service is individually accomplished at the bearer layer on a service basis. The invention provides a method and devices whereby events are detected on a service data flow basis at a detection device in the bearer layer and notified towards an application device in the signalling layer via a control device between the signalling and the bearer layer. The list of events to be notified is obtainable at the control device from the application device and is included in Quality of Service related rules, along with service data flow filters. This Quality of Service related rules are provided to the detection device for inspecting individual service data flows in order to detect and notify the indicated events.

Abstract: A method for enhanced policy and charging control when a telecommunications network is used by a User Equipment corresponding to a subscriber includes a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function and a first Online Charging System, configured to communicate via an online charging interface. The telecommunications network further includes a second Online Charging System being configured to communicate via an online charging interface. The method includes: communicating, by an interworking credit control function of the telecommunications network, relative to the subscriber of the telecommunications network and with regard to the same or overlapping traffic of the subscriber via a first online charging interface with the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, via a second online charging interface with the first Online Charging System, and via a third online charging interface with the second Online Charging System.

Abstract: In scenarios where the quality of service is negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are actually carried through a bearer layer, application functions at the signalling layer are not always aware of how quality of service is individually accomplished at the bearer layer on a service basis. The invention provides a method and devices whereby events are detected on a service data flow basis at a detection device in the bearer layer and notified towards an application device in the signalling layer via a control device between the signalling and the bearer layer. The list of events to be notified is obtainable at the control device from the application device and is included in Quality of Service related rules, along with service data flow filters. This Quality of Service related rules are provided to the detection device for inspecting individual service data flows in order to detect and notify the indicated events.

Abstract: In scenarios where the quality of service is negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are actually carried through a bearer layer, application functions at the signalling layer are not always aware of how quality of service is individually accomplished at the bearer layer on a service basis. The invention provides a method and devices whereby events are detected on a service data flow basis at a detection device in the bearer layer and notified towards an application device in the signalling layer via a control device between the signalling and the bearer layer. The list of events to be notified is obtainable at the control device from the application device and is included in Quality of Service related rules, along with service data flow filters. This Quality of Service related rules are provided to the detection device for inspecting individual service data flows in order to detect and notify the indicated events.

Abstract: At present some situations occur where a policy control at individual user level is not enough. For example, where a plurality of users surpasses a load limit in a certain location area, which could imply a risk of network congestion, policy control decisions in conventional architectures have to be made by submitting corresponding orders for each user affected by the decision, thus resulting in a higher signalling and processing load. To overcome these drawbacks, the present specification provides for new network entities and method to monitor and control a plurality of users, as dynamically determined according to different selection criteria, in order to compile users-related aggregated reports, to establish dynamic group of users whom specific policy control rules can be applied, and to map orders and information between group and user level.

Abstract: A method for operating an IP Multimedia Subsystem Application Server to facilitate a communication session between a first user and a second user at a required Quality of Service (QoS) is provided. The method calls for receiving a notification that a Policy and Charging Rules function (PCRF) associated with the first user has not authorized the required QoS. The notification includes an indication of additional QoS required by the first user in order to achieve the required QoS. Authorization for the additional QoS for the first user is then requested from a PCRF associated with the second user. The method then calls for receiving a notification that the PCRF associated with the second user has authorized the additional QoS, and notifying the PCRF associated with the first user that the additional QoS has been authorized for the first user.

Abstract: A policy and charging control method includes creating by a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), first policy and charging control (PCC) rules at establishment of a user plane session associated with the UE. The first PCC rules are installed at a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) and the service is initiated in accordance with these rules. During the lifetime of the user plane session, a quality-of-service (QoS) change request is transmitted by the UE upon activation of a user interface command. The PCRF creates second PCC rules based on the request, and installs them at the PCEF by replacing the first PCC rules by the second PCC rules. The service is continued in accordance with the second PCC rules. PCRF and PCEF servers as well as computer programs are also defined.

Abstract: The present invention improves control rules requests between reporting periods, and provides for enhanced PCRF and PCEF carrying out a method of controlling usage of network resources. This method comprises: determining at the PCEF events requiring control rules; requesting control rules and providing information about usage of network resources during the reporting period from the PCEF to the PCRF; determining at the PCRF first control rules by using the information about usage of network resources; determining at the PCRF second control rules by using an initial value for usage of network resources during a next reporting period; submitting from the PCRF to the PCEF the first and second control rules; enforcing at the PCEF the first control rules received from the PCRF; and upon starting the next reporting period for the user, inactivating the first control rules and enforcing at the PCEF the second control rules received from the PCRF.

Abstract: A method of delivering data to user terminals connected to an Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network, IP-CAN, wherein the IP-CAN implements a Policy and Charging Control, PCC, architecture. The method comprises caching data within an IP-CAN cache server upon a decision made by a Policy and Charging Rules Function, PCRF, of the PCC architecture. The cached data is then identified to a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, PCEF, of the PCC architecture. At the PCEF, data requests made by user terminals are monitored and a determination made as to whether or not a request relates to cached data. If a request does relate to cached data, then that cached data is delivered from the IP-CAN cache server to the requesting user terminal.

Abstract: It is provided a policy and charging control method carried out in a communication network. The communication network comprises a first network entity (100), PCFR, including a policy and charging rules function and a second network entity (200), PCEF, including a policy and charging enforcement function for enforcing policy and charging rules in at least two groups of cells, each group of cells including at least one cell. The method comprises configuring (S110), on the second network entity, for a first one group of the at least two groups of cells, an event subscription dependent on a location of the user equipment, the event subscription being specific to the first group of cells.

Abstract: The present invention is related to handling redundancy of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) in a wireless communication network having an active PCRF, a standby PCRF and a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) by replicating accumulative quota usage of the active PCRF in a memory of the standby PCRF every time an update request is received at the active PCRF. The present invention is directed to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) active in a wireless communication network having a standby PCRF and a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), wherein the PCRF includes a memory in which accumulative quota usage is stored. The PCRF includes a network interface unit which receives update requests.

Abstract: A method for enhanced policy and charging control when a telecommunications network is used by a User Equipment corresponding to a subscriber includes a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function and a first Online Charging System, configured to communicate via an online charging interface. The telecommunications network further includes a second Online Charging System being configured to communicate via an online charging interface. The method includes: communicating, by an interworking credit control function of the telecommunications network, relative to the subscriber of the telecommunications network and with regard to the same or overlapping traffic of the subscriber via a first online charging interface with the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, via a second online charging interface with the first Online Charging System, and via a third online charging interface with the second Online Charging System.

Abstract: A method for operating an IP Multimedia Subsystem Application Server to facilitate a communication session between a first user and a second user at a required Quality of Service (QoS) is provided. The method calls for receiving a notification that a Policy and Charging Rules function (PCRF) associated with the first user has not authorised the required QoS. The notification includes an indication of additional QoS required by the first user in order to achieve the required QoS. Authorization for the additional QoS for the first user is then requested from a PCRF associated with the second user. The method then calls for receiving a notification that the PCRF associated with the second user has authorised the additional QoS, and notifying the PCRF associated with the first user that the additional QoS has been authorised for the first user.

Abstract: It is provided a method for handling policy and charging information, PCI, relating to a user, wherein the method is carried out in a communications network comprising a first and a second site at least (S1, S2). Each of these sites comprises at least a policy and charging rules, PCR, network entity. The method comprises sending (SI1O) from a first network entity of a first site (110; AF-1; PCEF-1) to a PCR network entity of said first site (PCRF-1) a request to obtain PCI dependent on a user profile; generating—if it is determined that said user profile is not accessible at the first site (PCRF-1)—a redirection message comprising an identity of the PCR network entity of the first site (PCRF-1); forwarding said redirection message to a PCR network entity of said second site (PCRF-2).

Abstract: For authorizing redirection services in a policy and charging control architecture, a policy and charging control rules function (PCRF) server determines control rules and redirection information per service in an internet protocol connectivity access network session, and a policy charging and enforcement function (PCEF) device receives control rules and redirection information per service basis, determines redirection per service request, and triggers the redirection. Upon a first request for a service, the PCEF device returns a redirection message with a redirection identifier; and upon completion of the service redirection, the first request for the service reaching the PCEF, the PCEF verifies the service is authorized and submits a service allowance toward the service server in charge of the service. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an IP Multimedia Subsystem Application Server to facilitate a communication session between a first user and a second user at a required Quality of Service.

Abstract: Means and methodology for a Policy and Charging Rule Function, in a network visited by a roaming terminal, to determine its role and mode of operation in concurrence with a Policy and Charging Rule Function in the home network of that terminal. The role is determined base on the fact the terminal is roaming, a roaming agreement exists between both networks or can be established and visitor network's operator rules. Determining mode of operation comprises negotiation and possible rule transfer between visited network and home network Policy and Charging Rule Functions.