Abstract: Apparatus for collecting subscription data for subscribers in a telecommunications system for use in metering usage of network resources includes a data storage device operatively arranged to store subscriber records, and a data processor. The subscriber records include a plurality of fields including a group field for storing data indicative of group membership of a subscriber. The data processor is operatively arranged to request access to a remotely accessible information source on the basis of identification data. Responsive to receipt of a response from the remotely accessible information source, the data processor performs a first storage action in respect of a response of a first type and performs a second storage action in respect of a response of a second type.

Abstract: System, method and computer program for enabling use of a plurality of advertisement brokers in order to obtain advertisements for use by a service provider. Data about a user requesting a service from the service provider and/or about pricing relating to advertisements provided by the advertisement brokers is obtained and based thereon, one of the advertisement brokers is selected to provide an advertisement to be associated with the service being requested by the user.

Abstract: System, method and computer program for enabling use of a plurality of information providers in order to obtain content and/or messages for use by a service provider. Data relating to a user requesting a service from the service provider and/or relating to resource requirements relating to messages provided by the information providers is obtained and based thereon, one of the information providers is selected to provide a message or content to be associated with the service being requested by the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a method and a system for scheduling the transmission of messages to a subscriber in a communications network on basis of communications events that are determined to have occurred from communications events generated by the communications network. The method includes identifying a communications event as one of a plurality of predetermined types of communications events on the basis of at least one said identified current or previous communications session, and, responsive to the identified communications event, triggering a scheduling process for scheduling transmission of a message to the subscriber, in which the scheduling process is dependent on the type of communications event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receivers such as multi-carrier and cellular receivers. Cellular receivers, in the form of portable radiotelephones are commonplace, and their design and operation is well understood. Such portable radiotelephones can be used for making and receiving telephone calls, sending and receiving messages, and even browsing world-wide computer network such as the Internet. Many standards exist for portable radiotelephones, including global system for mobile communications (GSM), general radio packet service (GPRS) Receivers capable of receiving digital television signals, such as signals according to the terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) standard are also commonplace. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for receiving and transmitting signals via multiple communication channels.

Abstract: Mechanisms and methodologies are provided that enable marketing, advertising and customer relations management campaign implementation that includes a combination advertising, marketing and direct marketing strategies implemented via a combination of communications via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other communication networks in a manner that establishes a long-term, engaging relationship between a customer or consumer and a promotion company or advertiser.

Abstract: A network includes a service provider, a plurality of transmitters and a receiving device. The receiving device identifies the frequencies at which broadcast services are provided by a transmitter local to the receiving device. A search is carried out until a signal is received by the receiving device (S4.1). Then, the receiving device looks-up the transmitter (step S4.2). This involves searching the table 29 and identifying the row 30 that includes data corresponding to the frequency of the found signal. Optionally, it is determined whether or not there is only one candidate transmitter (step S4.3), by determining how many rows 30 in the table 29 include data corresponding to the frequency of the found signal. If there is more than one row, then the transmitter is disambiguated (step S4.4.).

Abstract: System, method and computer program for associating displayable data, such as advertisements, with Web and WAP pages being delivered from Internet or mobile services to mobile or fixed terminals via a communications network. An intermediate box, which may take the form of, or be resident in, a router, a proxy, a gateway, a server or other network element involved in routing Internet communications, analyzes communications related to Web or WAP browsing being directed to the mobile or fixed terminals and modifies part of the communications to include associated advertisements on Web or WAP pages or to add additional Web or WAP pages for information requests, e.g., interstitial pages.

Abstract: A content delivery service is described for delivering content over a broadband digital broadcast network (7). A controller (27) allows the delivery of content to be made in accordance with activity in a public land mobile network 1. The delivery of content may therefore be effectively scheduled and n appropriate revenue level.

Abstract: Methodologies and mechanisms are provided that enable the monitoring of communication dialogs or sessions between a plurality of users or a user and a content service and a determination of content to be added to current and/or future messages sent in the communication dialog(s) or session(s) based on content of one or more previously sent messages. In embodiments of the invention the message and previous message comprising the dialogue(s) or session(s) are transmitted between a first party and a second party and the messages are intercepted en route for a respective party.

Abstract: Method and system for targeted advertising of goods and services to users of mobile terminals, based for example on the users' profile. Goods and services are marketed to particular target groups of users sharing a common profile which may be selected to increase the likelihood of the users responding to the advertisements and purchasing the advertised goods and services. The common profile of users may be based on the amount of pre-paid credit available to each user. An advantage of such targeted advertising is that only advertisements for goods and services which particular users can afford, are delivered to these users.

Abstract: Method and system for targeted advertising of goods and services to users of mobile terminals, based for example on the users' profile. Goods and services are marketed to particular target groups of users sharing a common profile which may be selected to increase the likelihood of the users responding to the advertisements and purchasing the advertised goods and services. The common profile of users may be based on the amount of pre-paid credit available to each user. An advantage of such targeted advertising is that only advertisements for goods and services which particular users can afford, are delivered to these users.

Abstract: System and method for delivering upon request credits having monetary value to a mobile device using a communications network. An account of available credit for the user of the mobile device is maintained and authorization to issue credit is generated when a request for credit for the mobile device is received and there is available credit in the account associated with the mobile device equal to or greater than the requested credit. Credit may be sponsored by one or more sponsors and issued to the user, upon authorization, to enable the user to use the mobile device to purchase items, e.g., at a point of sale terminal.

Abstract: Methodologies and system functionality are provided to determine mobile device capabilities and/or configuration setting and user abilities and/or inclinations as a precursor to or as part of the management, delivery and/or assessment of the efficacy of promotional material. The determination of the mobile device capabilities and/or configuration settings and user abilities and/or inclinations may be performed, for example, when provisioning a new service or after such a service has been utilized by a mobile device user. Further, such a determination may be performed in connection with a mobile device service that provides free or subsidized service to mobile device users.

Abstract: Methodologies and system functionality are provided to determine mobile device capabilities and/or configuration setting and user abilities and/or inclinations as a precursor to or as part of the management, delivery and/or assessment of the efficacy of promotional material. The determination of the mobile device capabilities and/or configuration settings and user abilities and/or inclinations may be performed, for example, when provisioning a new service or after such a service has been utilized by a mobile device user. Further, such a determination may be performed in connection with a mobile device service that provides free or subsidized service to mobile device users.

Abstract: System and method for managing distribution of content such as television programs to portable multi-media devices which are capable of using such content and communicating includes a broadcast management system arranged to manage delivery of content from content sources to the devices, an account management system arranged to manage requests for use of the content from the devices and manage communications to and from the devices, and a processing system coupled to the account management system and arranged to analyze requests to use content relative to information about users of the devices in order to determine whether delivery of the content to the users can be offset against a preallocated amount of resource usage. If so, a message is delivered to that user's device and the device presents the message to the user as a condition for use of the content.

Abstract: System and method for managing distribution of content such as television programs to portable multi-media devices which are capable of using such content and communicating includes a broadcast management system arranged to manage delivery of content from content sources to the devices, an account management system arranged to manage requests for use of the content from the devices and manage communications to and from the devices, and a processor coupled to the account management system and arranged to analyze requests to use content relative to information about users of the devices in order to determine whether use of the content by the users can be sponsored. If so, an advertisement is delivered to that user's device and the device presents the advertisement to the user as a condition for use of the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems analyze the efficacy of mobile marketing and advertising taking into account more than those attributes which were originally selected for the selected target profile(s) associated with a mobile marketing or marketing or advertising campaign. More specifically, the analysis includes consideration of profile attributes that need not be subsets of the specified profile attributes. The analysis results may then be used to manage future mobile marketing or marketing or advertising campaigns or campaign phases more effectively.

Abstract: A method of recording allocation of resources in response to a request for a data item to be transmitted to a device in the network where the request comprises data indicative of one or more requested items. The device is typically a mobile device and the requested items can be key words making up a search request or can be web site names indicating web sites of interest to the user. In response to the request, data listings having items generating a match with the requested data item are identified and data indicative of a network location corresponding to the or each matched data item are retrieved. In addition data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location are retrieved and these data, together with a network subscription associated with device and the amount of data, are used to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data.

Abstract: A monitoring device makes decision on whether a service requested by a consumer is a sponsored service to the specific consumer or not based on sponsoring rules, i.e. the delivery of the requested service to the consumer can be sponsored if a sponsoring value of the consumer is sufficient in relation to a charge of delivery of the requested service. The sponsoring rules contain various pieces of information for recognizing a sponsored service and for determining the sponsoring value and the cost of the delivery. The sponsoring of different services to different consumers can be controlled, created, deleted, maintained or modified by means of the sponsoring rules. The sponsor, such an advertiser is able to control the cost of sponsoring by affecting the sponsoring value.