Abstract: Example embodiments provide a method and/or network element capable of mitigating one or more effects of operating at full capacity. According to an example embodiment, a network element may address load capacity by identifying that a first network element (e.g., a femto) is operating at a threshold capacity. If a communication from a second network element intended for the first network element is received, an operation is performed that informs the second network element of at least one of (i) that the first network element is operating at a threshold capacity and (ii) that the communication cannot be delivered to the first network element while the first network element is operating at a threshold capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a correlation module for correlating IP layer traffic and wireless layer network elements in a network. According to an example embodiment, the correlation module includes an RNC analyzer, a Gn snoop unit, and/or a mapping unit. The RNC analyzer is configured to collect wireless layer network element information from at least one RNC. The Gn snoop unit is configured to collect wireless layer network element information and IP layer traffic information from at least one Gn interface between a serving GPRS support node and a gateway GPRS support node. The mapping unit is configured to map the IP layer traffic and the wireless layer network elements in the network based on the collected IP layer traffic information and the collected wireless layer network element information. A method of correlating IP layer traffic and wireless layer network elements in a network is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a wireless telecommunications network, there is included: a macro cell (10) having a first coverage area; and at least one metro cell (20a, 20b, 20c) having a second coverage area, the metro cell being located within the first coverage area of the macro cell. Suitably, the macro cell is configured to: determine whether or not the macro cell is congested; determine whether or not the metro cell is uncongested; and, if it is determined the macro cell is congested and that the metro cell is uncongested, then the macro cell determines that an attempted application of Cell Association Bias (CAB) for the metro cell is warranted. Suitably, if CAB is in fact applied, the macro cell also implements enhanced Inter Cell Interference Coordination (eICIC) using Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) and informs its other neighboring metro cells of this configuration.

Abstract: In a wireless telecommunications network, there is included: a macro cell (10) having a first coverage area; and at least one metro cell (20a, 20b, 20c) having a second coverage area, the metro cell being located within the first coverage area of the macro cell. Suitably, the macro cell is configured to: determine whether or not the macro cell is congested; determine whether or not the metro cell is uncongested; and, if it is determined the macro cell is congested and that the metro cell is uncongested, then the macro cell determines that an attempted application of Cell Association Bias (CAB) for the metro cell is warranted. Suitably, if CAB is in fact applied, the macro cell also implements enhanced Inter Cell Interference Coordination (eICIC) using Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) and informs its other neighboring metro cells of this configuration.

Abstract: A method of preventing a customer programmable device from causing security threats to itself or to a communication system is provided. The method includes establishing one or more thresholds by programming or configuring of the device, detecting whether one or more of the thresholds have been exceeded using one or more detection mechanisms, and taking action in response to each threshold that has been exceeded.

Abstract: A method of load-based billing for customers in a communication network, wherein each customer has a calling plan. The method comprises monitoring utilization of the network in real-time via a switching center in the network; detecting at the switching center a Usage Level Event based upon the occurrence of a predetermined event trigger; informing a usage level application of the Usage Level Event; recording at the usage level application the Usage Level Event; and determining at the usage level application whether action should be taken based upon the Usage Level Event. When it is determined that action should be taken, the usage level application reports the Usage Level Event to a set of network elements via the usage level application and the switching center, where the set of network elements includes a customer billing platform and a broadcast message application.

Abstract: In a wireless telecommunications network, there is included: a macro cell (10) having a first coverage area; and at least one metro cell (20a, 20b, 20c) having a second coverage area, the metro cell being located within the first coverage area of the macro cell. Suitably, the macro cell is configured to: determine whether or not the macro cell is congested; determine whether or not the metro cell is uncongested; and, if it is determined the macro cell is congested and that the metro cell is uncongested, then the macro cell determines that an attempted application of Cell Association Bias (CAB) for the metro cell is warranted. Suitably, if CAB is in fact applied, the macro cell also implements enhanced Inter Cell Interference Coordination (eICIC) using Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) and informs its other neighboring metro cells of this configuration.

Abstract: A network infrastructure device of an apparatus in one example comprises a first external interface and a second external interface. The network infrastructure device communicates with a first telecommunication network through the first external interface. The network infrastructure device communicates with a second telecommunication network through the second external interface. The network infrastructure device allows a mobile communication device that has a first registration in the first telecommunication network and a second registration in the second telecommunication network to receive, through the second telecommunication network, a call directed to the first registration. The first telecommunication network is unable to directly query the second telecommunication network for a status of the second registration.

Abstract: Systems are presented in which a network database is populated and updated with delay values representing measured network delays in routing calls between call control entities of a communications network. The network entities can query the database to make informed decisions regarding call routing based on the delay values, and the database entries are provided by the network elements, which measure actual or pseudo calls routed in the network.

Abstract: A method of processing a call by proxy in a network is provided. The method comprises: receiving a request from a first party for a proxy call on behalf of a second party at a first call control entity, whether or not an active call exists between the first and second parties; signaling the proxy call through the network; and establishing the proxy call to an appropriate destination, such as an emergency call center near the second party.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a gateway component that provides an identifier of a service provider to a sender of a message through employment of a user address associated with the recipient of the message.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a method and/or network element capable of mitigating one or more effects of operating at full capacity. According to an example embodiment, a network element may address load capacity by identifying that a first network element (e.g., a femto) is operating at a threshold capacity. If a communication from a second network element intended for the first network element is received, an operation is performed that informs the second network element of at least one of (i) that the first network element is operating at a threshold capacity and (ii) that the communication cannot be delivered to the first network element while the first network element is operating at a threshold capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and article for porting a directory number for a duration of time. A portability component automatically updates one or more provisioning components to port the directory number for the duration of time. The value for the duration of time may be one or more of a period of time, a date in the future, or a permanent status. Upon the expiration of the duration of time, the portability component initiates one or more notifications of the expiration of the duration of time to a management component and/or the provisioning components to remove and/or alter the port of the directory number.

Abstract: To address the need to have new techniques that are able to improve handoff decision-making, the network may employ a method such as that depicted in diagram 200 or 300. In one method, the network receives (201) a user handoff approval indication from a UE regarding handoff of the UE to a target cell and then determines (202) whether to allow the handoff based on this user handoff approval indication. In another method, the network compares (301) attributes of a target cell to stored user handoff policies associated with a UE to determine a user policy approval indication regarding handoff to the target cell and then determines (302) whether to allow the handoff based on this policy approval indication. These methods afford users greater control in managing handoffs in the more varied and less uniform networking landscapes that technologies such as femto cell technology are creating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the HLR for a user who has been ported in to an IMS network. A call request is received for a mobile unit that has been ported. The communication system determines a Home Location Register (HLR) for the mobile unit. The communication system receives a temporary directory number associated with the mobile unit. The call request is completed to the mobile unit using the temporary directory number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for multiple leg call processing, in which the timing of a plurality of outgoing call legs is determined according to a plurality of parameters in order to achieve near simultaneous notification of a group of member directory numbers. The parameters can include static information obtained from a network database such as end user device technology type, call forwarding disposition, answering machine or voicemail service, geographic distance to the member directory number, and/or signaling type and carrier or other local information. Actual setup times may be measured for use in determining the timing of the outgoing call leg processing, which may be used alone or in combination with the local and static information parameters to determine the outgoing call schedule for routing the call to multiple member directory numbers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a correlation module for correlating IP layer traffic and wireless layer network elements in a network. According to an example embodiment, the correlation module includes an RNC analyzer, a Gn snoop unit, and/or a mapping unit. The RNC analyzer is configured to collect wireless layer network element information from at least one RNC. The Gn snoop unit is configured to collect wireless layer network element information and IP layer traffic information from at least one Gn interface between a serving GPRS support node and a gateway GPRS support node. The mapping unit is configured to map the IP layer traffic and the wireless layer network elements in the network based on the collected IP layer traffic information and the collected wireless layer network element information. A method of correlating IP layer traffic and wireless layer network elements in a network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for network-based coordination of a plurality of devices using precise timing methods is provided. The method includes registering a device for an event that utilizes precise timing. The method continues with identifying a list of devices that will participate in the event, downloading a set of tools that enable the devices to perform the event, and initiating the event for the list of devices coordinated by precise timing. The system for network-based precision includes a timing source that provides precise timing for the devices, a subscription handler that organizes the devices and event application server that provides a list of registered subscribers and initiates the group event. The method and system disclosed may be used to coordinate mobile devices for collecting data and/or provide coordination for mobile devices to display video and play audio in a group coordinated manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a zip code of where a user is at the moment is provided. The apparatus comprises: a core network; an access server operatively connected to the core network providing network access for the communication device; and a zip code location database server operatively connected to the core network, wherein the zip code location database server is adapted to store zip code location information for one or more IDs in the core network.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing ported number data within a telecommunications network in which a number portability administration center has received a request from a subscriber having a directory number (DN) to port is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a Number Portability data manager sending a subscription request to the NPDB to receive future notifications about subscriber ports to/from specific Location Routing Number(s); the NPDB honoring these subscriptions when a user ports their DN. If this is the initial LRN assigned to the DN, then the NPDB derives the LRN of the code holder. If the LRN from which the subscriber ported has a subscription, then the NPDB sends a notification message to the NP data manager with which the LRN is associated indicating that the DN ported out. If the LRN to which the subscriber ported has a subscription, then the NPDB sends a notification message to the NP data manager with which the LRN is associated indicating that the DN ported in.