Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for providing a user of a terminal with broadcast services. A terminal controller is configured to use data forming the whole of or part of an electronic service guide, and store information concerning the accessibility of services. That information is used to then generate a list of selectable services available to the user. A user interface presents at least part of the list in a selectable manner. Service accessibility display options are included either as a setting in the terminal or as a user input. Subscribed services are presented to the user on a display differently than non-subscribed services. If a non-subscribed service is selected, payment data is retrieved from the terminal and a suitable subscription is purchased without significant user involvement. The purchase of a subscription results in the terminal receiving subscription data, which is then stored for future use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and method for implementing multicasting in IP networks, in which multicast packets are transmitted by means of a multicast tree from one transmitter through several multicast controllers to several recipients. In the method at least one multicast tree intended for control messages is generated in the network from a network multicast controller to cell-level multicast controllers. The network multicast controller transmits along the multicast tree control messages to the cell-level multicast controllers. The control messages contain information on the network multicast and a command to connect to the network multicast tree intended for multicasts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for transmitting files over a datacast network while maintaining meta-data associated with the files. The system employs devices programmed to operate according to a protocol that preserves a file's properties such as, for example, its name, type, length, and hierarchical relationship, i.e. the file's absolute or relative location.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing multicast channel handover in a mobile device within a mobile network. First and second transmitters within first and second cells broadcast datagrams associated with a logical identifier according to link-level access parameters common to the first and second transmitters. A mobile device receives the broadcast datagrams for the logical identifier from the first transmitter by configuring the common link-level access parameters. As part of handover from the first cell to the second cell, the mobile device continues receiving the broadcast datagrams from the second transmitter by maintaining the common link-level access parameters. In one embodiment, the datagrams are IP datagrams transmitted in an MPEG2 transport stream. The link-level access parameters may include time slice parameters associated with burst transmissions from the first and second transmitters according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A network access sequence for a mobile node (MN) in one or more foreign domains (FD). A foreign domain sends (A1) service advertisement messages (M1), each of which comprises an identifier (41) of the message, network address information (43) and a detailed service offering (42). The mobile node stores (A2) the detailed service offerings and selects one of them. Then it sends a service request message (M2) to the foreign domain which sent the selected service offering (62). The service request indicates (55) the selected service offering (62) and the mobile node's credentials (54). The foreign domain conveys the credentials to the mobile node's home domain (HD) for authentication and authorization and checks (A4) if the selected service offering (62) can be supported. Next the foreign domain (FD) allocates communication resources for supporting the selected service offering and indicates (M9) to the mobile node the availability of the requested service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the distribution of MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages, and systems and methods for receiving such messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods that employ multicast delivery techniques in the distribution of MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages, and systems and methods for receiving such messages.

Abstract: A system and method for the reception of content items, including the ability to handle a plurality of service announcement formats and the ability to select, for a plurality of network access points, the best access point for receiving items.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multicast broadcast handover in a wireless data network are disclosed. Each cell broadcasts administrative announcements over a logical channel to mobile terminals. The announcements indicate which multicast broadcasts are available in specified cells, as well as connection information for each cell. The mobile terminals may tune to a multicast broadcast as defined by the administrative announcements. While tuned to the multicast, the mobile terminal continues to receive administrative announcements. As the broadcast fades out or is otherwise interrupted, the mobile terminal can retune to the same multicast broadcast in another cell, based on the cell connection information included in the previously received administrative announcements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and accessing announcement information identifying available services. Services are provided on the network over a plurality of communication channels, such that each channel is associated with at least one service. At least one of the plurality of communication channels is dedicated as an all-announcement channel, which includes a service announcement for each one of the services available on the plurality of communication channels. Redirection information is also present on the plurality of communication channels and is used to redirect the mobile terminal to the all-announcement channel to obtain information concerning the available services.

Abstract: A method for sending a data packet (DP), which directly or indirectly indicates a quality-of-service requirement (QoS), to a mobile node (MN) from a correspondent node (MCN) via a multi-bearer network, or MBN, which provides at least one interface unit (IU) to each of multiple alternative bearer networks (BN) between the MBN and the mobile node. The method comprises selecting an optimal bearer network (BN) for sending a data packet (DP) between the MBN and the mobile node (MN) based on 1) the quality-of-service requirement (QoS) of the data packet (DP) in question; 2) traffic load data (41) related to the multiple bearers; 3) interface unit availability information (PIU, 42); and 4) bearer type preference information (PBT, 43).

Abstract: Problems currently exist in determining which traffic policies should be applied to data packets from different origins or destinations in networks. Since there can be different traffic classification policy for different users, a network boundary node needs to find out which classification policy is to be applied to each data packet. Currently this is achieved through large look-up tables which must contain details of all users. The present invention aims to overcome these problems.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a service to several subscribers in a packet data network capable of individual and group transmissions. The method comprises the steps of 1) collecting requests for the service from the several subscribers (MN1, MN2), 2) evaluating the popularity of the service, 3) forming a group (G) of the subscribers that have requested the service, and 4) transmitting the service over a group transmission if the popularity of the service at least equals or is likely to equal a predetermined threshold level. The mobile node (MN) subscribers may be reached via several different access networks (AN), in which case an optimal access network can be selected. The method is preferably implemented by means of a group forming unit (GFU) which can be integrated or co-located with a gateway (GW) which connects the service provider's network (SNW) with the Internet.