Abstract: The teachings herein describe methods and apparatuses for caching content at the “edge” of a wireless communication network, based on operating one or more RAN caches within the RAN portion of the network under the control of a gateway cache that operates at the packet data network interface level within the CN portion of the network. Each RAN cache operates as subordinate of the gateway cache, based on intercepting content requests from wireless devices operating within the RAN, providing corresponding proxied content requests to the gateway cache, and serving or not serving requested content from the RAN cache in dependence on control signaling from the gateway cache. Such operation permits all decision making to reside in the gateway cache, thereby retaining full visibility for critical billing and lawful intercept functions, while obviating in many instances the need to back haul such content.

Abstract: A method of congestion control (500) in a communications network is provided. The method comprises detecting congestion (501, 502) for data packets being transmitted along a data path between a sender and a receiver of the communications network, wherein the receiver accesses the communications network via a Radio Access Network (RAN), interrupting transmission (503, 505, 506) of data packets to the receiver during an idle period, and transmitting an indication (504) pertaining to the interruption of transmission to the RAN. Thereby, the RAN may use opportunities for switching to a lower radio state directly, or shortly after, the onset of the idle period, rather than triggered by an inactivity timer. In that way, utilization of air interface resources is improved and power consumption on the UE side is reduced. Further, a corresponding computer program, a corresponding computer program product, and a network node for congestion control in a communications network, are provided.

Abstract: A message, e.g., a SMS message, intended for a specific hardware item is provided from an application node to a message controller together with hardware identification data, e.g., IMSI or IMEISV. The message controller and a location updated subscriber database, e.g., an HLR, having stored information about the intended terminating hardware, interact and a further handling of the message is decided based on the provided hardware identification data and on data stored in the location updated subscriber database.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for simplifying data transmission between a mobile device and a static destination address. This is achieved by introducing a new network node referred to as a VPC connector. The VPC connector is associated with a gateway of the operator network such as a GGSN. The VPC connector has access to a static first mapping between a subscriber identity associated with the mobile device and a static destination address to which the data from the mobile device should be sent. In order for the gateway to be able to route data from the mobile device to the correct static destination address, the gateway sends a dynamic second mapping between a temporary IP address of the mobile device and the subscriber identity associated with the mobile device to the network node referred to as the VPC connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network node (14, 18, 21) and a method of a network node of controlling data delivery to a mobile terminal (11, 12, 13) in case of data rate throttling after having reached a data download cap. The method comprises the steps of acquiring (S101) the data to be delivered to the mobile terminal, receiving (S102) an indication that a data download cap for the mobile terminal has been reached, and buffering (S103) the acquired data. The method further comprises the step of delivering (S104) the buffered data to the mobile terminal in bursts.

Abstract: A method (300) of a network node for delivering a plurality of simultaneous sessions to a client via a Radio Access Network (RAN) is provided. The method comprises identifying (301) a streaming session, reshaping (302) the streaming session into a sequence of bursts and silent periods, identifying (303) at least one non-time-critical session, reshaping (304) the at least one non-time-critical session into respective sequences of bursts and silent periods, and transmitting (305) the sequences of bursts and silent periods to the RAN. The reshaping (304) of the non-time-critical sessions is performed such that bursts, or silent periods, or both, of the at least one non-time-critical session are aligned with bursts, silent periods, or both, respectively, of the streaming session. By timely aligning the respective bursts and silent periods with each other, the duration of common silent periods may be increased, thereby utilizing air interface resources more efficiently.

Abstract: A method of allowing a data connection between a first node attached to a private IP network and a second node external to the private IP network and connected to a public IP network. The method comprises allocating a private network IP address, a hostname, and a service name to said first node, the service name associated with a service provided by the first node. A gateway allocates a unique public network side port number to the first node. A mapping between the private network IP address and public network side port is included in a connection table. Records are installed in a Domain Name System of the public IP network that include: a service record defining said hostname and public network side port number as the location for said service name; and an address record defining a public IP address of said gateway as the location for said hostname.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for authenticating user equipment access to a device over a communications network. The method comprises: sending a first message to the user equipment, the first message requesting the user to power off the device; detecting that the device is not available; sending a second message to the user equipment, the second message requesting that the user power on the device; detecting that the device is available; and if both detections are positive, then authenticating user equipment access to the device.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for streaming content to one or more user equipment devices in a telecommunications network, wherein the content is available for streaming at one of a plurality of different quality representations. The method comprises the step of receiving a request from a user equipment device, wherein the request is for delivery of a segment of the content at a first quality representation. It is determined whether the user equipment device is connected to a cell of the telecommunications network in which a congestion level of the cell is above a threshold level. If so, a fairness function is performed to determine if the segment of content should be streamed to the user equipment device at the requested first quality representation or a second quality representation. The segment of content is streamed to the user equipment device at the first quality representation or the second quality representation based on a result of performing the fairness function.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for providing updated information on the availability of multimedia options to terminal users. A first terminal (A) is initially engaged in a voice call with a second terminal (B) by using a first access admitting simultaneous multimedia communication. At least one available multimedia option is indicated based on capabilities of the first and second terminals. A change of connection is then detected from the first access to a second access not admitting simultaneous multimedia communication. In response thereto, a multimedia disabling notification is sent to the second terminal, and said at least one multimedia option is indicated as being no longer available. Preferably, the multimedia disabling notification is sent as an SMS message.

Abstract: A network node (240) communicating cell congestion information to a mobile communication device (210) after receiving a request for content from the mobile communication device, wherein the network node compares an identity of the mobile communication device with stored mobile communication device identities, and notifies the mobile communication device of cell congestion, if the mobile communication device identity matches a stored mobile communication device identity.

Abstract: A method (400) of controlling resource usage of adaptive streaming sessions for transmission via a Radio Access Network (RAN) is provided. The method comprises identifying (401) at least one adaptive streaming session, determining (402) available bitrates for the identified adaptive streaming sessions, determining (403) a resource allocation of the RAN, determining (404) a target bitrate for each of the identified adaptive streaming sessions, and throttling (405) each of the identified adaptive streaming sessions having a current bitrate which is larger than their respective target bitrate. The respective target bitrates are determined (404) based on the available bitrates and the current resource allocation of the RAN. In this way, an improved distribution of shared air interface resources of the RAN may be achieved. Further, a network node for controlling resource usage of adaptive streaming sessions for transmission via a RAN is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus (100), such as a portable electronic device, for navigating on a touch sensitive screen (110) of the apparatus (100). The method comprises sensing the amount of pressure exerted on the touch sensitive screen (100) by means of a pressure sensor (140). A pressure signal indicative of the exerted amount of pressure is generated. The pressure signal is then used to trigger navigation in a z-direction, i.e. a direction perpendicular to the plane of the touch sensitive screen if the pressure signal is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The teachings herein describe methods and apparatuses for caching content at the “edge” of a wireless communication network, based on operating one or more RAN caches within the RAN portion of the network under the control of a gateway cache that operates at the packet data network interface level within the CN portion of the network. Each RAN cache operates as subordinate of the gateway cache, based on intercepting content requests from wireless devices operating within the RAN, providing corresponding proxied content requests to the gateway cache, and serving or not serving requested content from the RAN cache in dependence on control signaling from the gateway cache. Such operation permits all decision making to reside in the gateway cache, thereby retaining full visibility for critical billing and lawful intercept functions, while obviating in many instances the need to back haul such content.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for supporting connectivity of a wireless device to a network infrastructure. An infrastructure provider associates a set of device identification numbers to a first radio access provider in a subscription database of the infrastructure provider. The infrastructure provider also sets the first radio access provider as a preferred roaming partner in a SIM that comprises a subscriber identifier with a network identifier of the infrastructure provider. The SIM is provided for use in the device, to enable access to the network infrastructure over a radio access network of the first radio access provider based on the subscriber identifier and the preferred roaming partner in the SIM.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for delivering from a storage node to an end device, a subset of data stored in the storage node and relates to an identity that uniquely identifies the identity module comprised in the end device. The storage node receives from the end device a request for the subset of the data, the request comprises the identity. The storage node identifies the data related to the identity and filters the identified data to obtain the requested subset of the data. The storage node further sends the subset of the data to the end device.

Abstract: A method of ordering the delivery of a media stream to a client terminal coupled to an IP network is described. The method comprises identifying, at a user terminal (e.g. a mobile device), destination address information for the client terminal. The user terminal is authenticated to an application server of an IP Multimedia Subsystem network, and the destination address information is sent from the user terminal to the application server. The media stream is then sent to the client terminal. This enables the media to be delivered to the client terminal on the basis of the authentication of the user terminal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sending a large Multimedia Message, such as a MMS from a first terminal (10) to at least one second terminal (14) via a first network node (12) comprised in a communication network. The first network node (12) receives (30) the Multimedia Message from the first terminal (10) and divides (31) the Multimedia Message into a first part and at least one additional part. Next the first network node (12) adds (32) to the first part a reference to the at least one additional part and sends (33) the first part to the at least one second terminal (14). The first network node (12) then sends (34) the at least one additional part to the at least one second terminal (14) when requested by the at least one second terminal.

Abstract: A technique for operating a media distribution network is presented. In the media distribution network media data are transmitted via an access network in media bursts to a media client. Each media burst is followed by an idle period in which no media data are transmitted. A method aspect of this technique comprises receiving, from an access network node, a control message and adjusting, responsive to the control message, at least one of a media data volume of a media burst and a duration of an idle period following the media burst. The control message may be indicative of a load status of the access network, and the adjustment may be performed taking into account that load status.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for supporting connectivity of a wireless device to a network infrastructure. An infrastructure provider associates a set of device identification numbers to a first radio access provider in a subscription database of the infrastructure provider. The infrastructure provider also sets the first radio access provider as a preferred roaming partner in a SIM that comprises a subscriber identifier with a network identifier of the infrastructure provider. The SIM is provided for use in the device, to enable access to the network infrastructure over a radio access network of the first radio access provider based on the subscriber identifier and the preferred roaming partner in the SIM.