Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a broadcast services platform includes a memory that stores operational instructions. A processor executes the operational instructions to: receive user data, the user data including a list of users and performance metric data corresponding to individual ones of the users; sort the list of the users in order of the performance metric data to generate a sorted list of the users; partition the sorted list of the users to generate a plurality of user groups; and generate network resource allocation data that allocates network resources to provide broadcast services to the users. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining predicted available bandwidths for an end user device, monitoring buffer occupancy of a buffer of the end user device, determining bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy, and adjusting bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy during streaming of the media content to the end user device over a wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture disclosed herein can be used to identify an internet domain to which an encrypted network communication is targeted. A disclosed method includes collecting a plurality of unencrypted communications with a domain name server, and identifying, by executing an instruction with a processor, network traffic patterns associated with the unencrypted communication based on a combination of routing information, internet protocol flow data, and internet transactions associated with the plurality of unencrypted communications with the domain name server. An example disclosed method further includes determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, and based on the network traffic patterns associated with the unencrypted communications, the internet domain to which the encrypted communication is to be delivered.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example performing, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor, wireless telephony communications via a first wireless interface, transmitting information associated with media-related activities to a server, receiving from the server a media recommendation that is generated according to the information associated with media-related activities, initiating communications with a network via a second wireless interface, downloading a media content item of the media recommendation from a content provider via the second wireless interface, and presenting the media content item at a display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example performing, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor, wireless telephony communications via a first wireless interface, transmitting information associated with media-related activities to a server, receiving from the server a media recommendation that is generated according to the information associated with media-related activities, initiating communications with a network via a second wireless interface, downloading a media content item of the media recommendation from a content provider via the second wireless interface, and presenting the media content item at a display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a deadline for completion of the transfer of the data content item to the mobile device. A set of locations of the mobile device is determined between the first time and the deadline, a candidate plurality of wireless base stations is identified, based on the forecasted plurality of locations, to wirelessly transfer a portion of the data content item to the mobile device during the time period. A utilization of a wireless base station of the candidate set of wireless base stations is forecasted during the time period, a transfer time is determined within the time period based on the forecasted utilization and the deadline, and the transfer time is provided to the mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Network traffic usage information for a set of registered devices is monitored, analyzed, and reported within a cellular service provider portion of a communications network. The network traffic usage information can relate to data traffic, voice traffic, and/or short message service traffic. Reporting the network traffic usage information is customizable such that parameters associated with the network traffic usage can be changed, depending on the parameters that are of current interest to an organization affiliated with the set of registered devices.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture disclosed herein can be used to identify an internet domain to which an encrypted network communication is targeted. A disclosed method includes collecting a plurality of unencrypted communications with a domain name server, and identifying, by executing an instruction with a processor, network traffic patterns associated with the unencrypted communication based on a combination of routing information, internet protocol flow data, and internet transactions associated with the plurality of unencrypted communications with the domain name server. An example disclosed method further includes determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, and based on the network traffic patterns associated with the unencrypted communications, the internet domain to which the encrypted communication is to be delivered.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining predicted available bandwidths for an end user device, monitoring buffer occupancy of a buffer of the end user device, determining bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy, and adjusting bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy during streaming of the media content to the end user device over a wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a data request to transfer data for a mobile device across a mobile network. The data request occurs within a time interval of a number of time intervals, each having a duration greater than a data transfer time across the mobile network. A volume is determined of the data requested, and compared to a data transfer capacity of the wireless access terminal. A transfer of the data is scheduled within the time interval, responsive to the volume of data requested being less than the data transfer capacity. The transfer of the data is deferred to another time interval, responsive to the volume of data requested being greater than the data transfer capacity, and the deferring of the data to another time includes resubmitting the data request in another time interval of the plurality of time intervals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for detecting a tethering function being performed by an endpoint device in a communications network are disclosed. For example, the method analyzes a data packet directed towards the endpoint device, detects a signature based upon analyzing the data packet, and identifies the endpoint device as performing the tethering function based upon detecting the signature.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a content source, a portion of a particular chunk of media content a particular quality level during adaptive bit rate media streaming of the media content. The method includes receiving, at the device, network data related to network conditions associated with the device in response to receipt of the portion. The method also includes, in response to a determination to download the particular chunk at a first quality level different than the particular quality level, the determination based on the particular quality level and the network data: sending a request from the device for the particular chunk at the first quality level to the content source, and replacing the portion with the particular chunk at the first quality level.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining predicted available bandwidths for an end user device, monitoring buffer occupancy of a buffer of the end user device, determining bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy, and adjusting bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy during streaming of the media content to the end user device over a wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Wireless video download rates are optimized by receiving, at a system with a computer that includes a processor and memory, a request to provide a piece of video content over a wireless network. The processor of the computer is used to determine whether to provide the video content at a first option that is as soon as possible or at a second option over a specified interval T. The interval T is calculated as a time for a destination device to download the video content at a rate level higher than encoding for the video content requires. Upon determining to provide the video content over the interval T, the video content is provided over the wireless network over the interval T to a client device that requested the piece of video content.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a content source, a portion of a particular chunk of media content a particular quality level. The method includes receiving, at the device, network data about network conditions associated with the device in response to receipt of the portion. The method includes making, at the device, a determination based on the network data whether to download the particular chunk at a first quality level that is higher than the particular quality level based on the particular quality level and the data. The method includes, in response to the determination indicating to download the particular chunk at the first quality level: sending, to the content source from the device, a request for the particular chunk at the first quality level, and replacing the portion with the particular chunk at the first quality level.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a deadline for completion of the transfer of the data content item to the mobile device. A set of locations of the mobile device is determined between the first time and the deadline, a candidate plurality of wireless base stations is identified, based on the forecasted plurality of locations, to wirelessly transfer a portion of the data content item to the mobile device during the time period. A utilization of a wireless base station of the candidate set of wireless base stations is forecasted during the time period, a transfer time is determined within the time period based on the forecasted utilization and the deadline, and the transfer time is provided to the mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for detecting a tethering function being performed by an endpoint device in a communications network are disclosed. For example, the method analyzes a data packet directed towards the endpoint device, detects a signature based upon analyzing the data packet, and identifies the endpoint device as performing the tethering function based upon detecting the signature.

Abstract: Wireless video download rates are optimized by receiving, at a system with a computer that includes a processor and memory, a request to provide a piece of video content over a wireless network. The processor of the computer is used to determine whether to provide the video content at a first option that is as soon as possible or at a second option over a specified interval T. The interval T is calculated as a time for a destination device to download the video content at a rate level higher than encoding for the video content requires. Upon determining to provide the video content over the interval T, the video content is provided over the wireless network over the interval T to a client device that requested the piece of video content.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a deadline for completion of the transfer of the data content item to the mobile device. A set of locations of the mobile device is determined between the first time and the deadline, a candidate plurality of wireless base stations is identified, based on the forecasted plurality of locations, to wirelessly transfer a portion of the data content item to the mobile device during the time period. A utilization of a wireless base station of the candidate set of wireless base stations is forecasted during the time period, a transfer time is determined within the time period based on the forecasted utilization and the deadline, and the transfer time is provided to the mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A crowd-sourced mobile messaging spam detection and defense system includes an application running on a mobile device. The application uses an unwanted message detection algorithm to analyze and classify messages as potential unwanted messages. The potential unwanted messages are presented to a user for confirmation that the messages are unwanted messages. In response to confirmation, the mobile device transmits a notification to a virtual machine associated with the user. The virtual machine uses the notification to update the unwanted message detection algorithm which may then be transmitted to the mobile device. The virtual machine may also transmit the notification to a global virtual machine. The global virtual machine may use the notification to update a set of classification rules maintained by the global virtual machine and transmit the set of classification rules as necessary to the multiple virtual machines for use in updating the unwanted message detection algorithm.