Abstract: A method (100) for managing resource usage across domains in a communication network is disclosed. The communication network comprises a radio access domain, a core domain and a transport domain providing connectivity between the radio access domain and the core domain. The method comprises receiving from the core domain an indication of load status of gateway nodes in the core domain (110), receiving from the transport domain an indication of load status of transport resources in the transport domain (120), normalising across the core and transport domain a cost of using resources in each domain (130), calculating, on the basis of the normalised costs, optimal chains of resources in the core and transport domains for providing a service from different radio access nodes to different possible Access Point Names (APNs) (140), and sending to the core and transport domains information about the calculated optimal resource chains (150).

Abstract: A network management architecture referred to as the Control/Orchestration/Management/Policy/Analytics, COMPA, architecture. The COMPA architecture functions to simplify and automate the operations (both management and business process) of a network. In one aspect, the COMPA architecture provides controlled access to functionality provided by different responsibility domains using cooperating service access control, SAC, agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching from a first IPTV channel arranged to be delivered to a plurality of nodes, such as a broadcast or a unicast, to a second unicast IPTV channel. The first IPTV channel is received at an IPTV receiving node, such as a User Equipment. If it is determined that the first IPTV channel is no longer available, then an IPTV content provider capable of providing the same IPTV channel in a unicast as the first IPTV channel is identified. A message is then sent to an IPTV AS, the message including an instruction to switch to a unicast IPTV channel and an address for the identified IPTV content provider node. The IPTV receiving node then receives the IPTV channel unicast.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for synchronizing first and second data sets stored in a data repository. A method includes triggering, by the data repository, in response to a commit order relating to an ongoing transaction requested by a client and instructing the data repository to apply data modification(s) on the first data set, transmission of a notification event message relating to the ongoing transaction to a data consistency controller. The method includes receiving, by the data repository, a notification event response message relating to the ongoing transaction from the data consistency controller, the notification event response message indicating to the data repository whether (i) to commit the data modification(s) instructed by the commit order on the first data set and corresponding data modification(s) on the second data set, or (ii) to roll back the data modification(s) instructed by the commit order on the first data set.

Abstract: A method is proposed for providing a mobile terminal associated with a user with access to a visited Internet Protocol based mobile communication network. The mobile terminal generates a network information element that comprises a home network identifying element that identifies a home network of the user, and a domain name of the visited IP based mobile communication network as a base domain identifier. The mobile terminal then provides this special network information element to visited IP based mobile communication network, which executes a subscription generating procedure for generating a subscription for the user upon recognizing the special network information element and provides the mobile terminal access based on the generated subscription.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a data back end node in a data layered architecture network. A database of subscriber data is maintained at a database such that the data is organized into at least one data group. The data associated with each subscriber is associated with a data group. A virtual Home Location Register identifier is assigned to the data group. At least a part of the subscriber data and the virtual HLR identifier is sent to an HLR front end node. In the event of a reset by a Core Network node, only subscriber data associated with the identified data group will need to be rebuilt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending Network Aware data between a node in a radio network and a node in a service network. A first node generates a Protocol Data Unit, the Protocol Data Unit comprising Network Aware data. The Protocol Data Unit is then sent towards a second node using a transport bearer. This has the advantage that the second node is made aware of the Network Aware data and can, if necessary, adjust its behavior accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to operate as a Backup system in a Data Layered Architecture Public Land Mobile Network. The apparatus comprises an interface for enabling a data exchange between the apparatus and a plurality of Authentication Centre Front Ends, and a memory for storing subscriber authentication data. The apparatus further comprises a processor for detecting a failure of a Data Back End and for receiving a redirected authentication data set request from an Authentication Centre Front End via the interface. The processor is further configured, in the event of a detected failure of Data Back End, to generate one or more authentication data sets in response to the request using the data stored in the memory, and send the generated data set(s) to the Authentication Centre Front End via the interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching from a first IPTV channel arranged to be delivered to a plurality of nodes, such as a broadcast or a unicast, to a second unicast IPTV channel. The first IPTV channel is received at an IPTV receiving node, such as a User Equipment. If it is determined that the first IPTV channel is no longer available, then an IPTV content provider capable of providing the same IPTV channel in a unicast as the first IPTV channel is identified. A message is then sent to an IPTV AS, the message including an instruction to switch to a unicast IPTV channel and an address for the identified IPTV content provider node. The IPTV receiving node then receives the IPTV channel unicast.

Abstract: Various techniques for routing a request message, which requests a service requiring a data operation on data which is stored in a data backend system, are discussed. The request message is received by a first application front end entity of an application layer. Based on the received request message, a data operation message is sent from the first application front end entity to a first data repository of the data backend system. The first data repository returns routing information to the first application front end entity, which enables the first application front end entity to route the request message to a second application front end entity of the application layer. The second application front end entity communicates with a given data repository which stores the data.

Abstract: A method and node in a communication network for facilitating access by a client terminal to an IMS service from a non-Session Initiation Protocol (non-SIP) compliant access network such as a circuit-switched network. The node receives a request from the client terminal and in response, allocates to the terminal, a Terminal Adapter from a plurality of Terminal Adapters. The node then sends a message to the client terminal reporting the address of the allocated Terminal Adapter.

Abstract: A method of indicating IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services and IMS applications to which a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message relates. An IMS communication service identifier and an IMS application reference are added to the SIP message. The identifier and the reference may be added as Feature Tags. The reference may also be added as an a-line augmenting an m-line in a Session Description Protocol (SDP) part of the SIP message.

Abstract: A system and method for time-shifting and chase-play for an IPTV system. A control channel is established between an originating user's set top box (STB) and an IPTV Application Server (IPTV-AS) utilizing SIP signaling over an IP Multimedia Subsystem. For time-shifting, the STB sends a start time-shifting command to the IPTV-AS over the control channel, and the IPTV-AS sends a start recording command to a Network Private Video Recorder (N-PVR). When the user is ready to resume viewing, the STB sends a start chase-play command to the IPTV-AS to establish a unicast channel. The IPTV-AS sends a playback command to the N-PVR to begin playback of the time-shifted content.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network node for indicating the IMS services and IMS applications to which a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message relates. An IMS communication service identifier and an IMS application reference are added to the SIP message. The identifier and the reference may be added as Feature Tags. The reference may also be added as an a-line augmenting an m-line in a Session Description Protocol (SDP) part of the SIP message.

Abstract: A method and application server for handling a supplementary services message in a communication network. A subscriber's Home Location Register (HLR) sends an Interrogation marker to the subscriber's Mobile-services Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) instructing the MSC/VLR to forward all supplementary services messages from the subscriber to the HLR. When the subscriber's user terminal sends a supplementary services message to the MSC/VLR requesting a supplementary service, the MSC/VLR forwards the message to the subscriber's HLR. The HLR retrieves an address of an IP Multimedia Application Server associated with the subscriber, and sends the supplementary services message to the addressed Application Server for handling the supplementary services request.

Abstract: A node in an IMS network receives circuit switched signalling relating to a communication session sent from a terminal over a circuit switched access network, and also receives packet switched signalling relating to the communication session sent from the terminal over a packet switched access network. The packet switched signalling comprises an identifier, and the node uses the identifier to correlate the circuit switched signalling with the packet switched signalling. This allows terminals using ICS to send signalling over both packet switched and circuit switched access networks, and a receiving node to correlate those signals.

Abstract: A method, application server, and Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) for allocating a SIP Application Server to a subscriber in an IP Multimedia Subsystem. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) identifies for the subscriber, a set of provisioned initial filter criteria, which contains at least one generic SIP Application Server identity. The HSS sends the filter criteria to an S-CSCF allocated to the subscriber. The S-CSCF resolves the generic SIP Application Server identity into a plurality of application server addresses, with one of the addresses being allocated to the subscriber for use in provisioning a service to the subscriber. The S-CSCF caches the address allocated to the subscriber for subsequent use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services to which a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message relates. One or more communication service identifiers are added to the SIP message as a Feature Tag.

Abstract: An IMS-enabled control channel for an IPTV service is provided by receiving at a Serving Call/State Control Function (S-CSCF) a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) REGISTER message, the SIP REGISTER message identifying the originating user, receiving at the originating user a response from the S-CSCF indicating that the originating user has been authorized, and sending a SIP INVITE message from the S-CSCF to establish an open channel connection with a selected IPTV Application Server (AS). This open channel connection can then be used for the transmission of control messages, such as for starting play, starting recording, stopping play, etc., between the STB and the IPTV applications server, as well as for the delivery of personalized content, such as advertisements, voting responses, personalized voting triggers and targeted interactive events. By maintaining an open control channel with the IPTV AS, this offers a substantial reduction in the setup delay times for different applications.

Abstract: A method of distributing application server addresses in an IP Multimedia Subsystem. Upon allocation of an application server to a subscriber, the allocated or another application server sends at least one application server address to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). The HSS stores the address(es) in association with the subscriber identity and sends the address(es) to a Serving Call/Session State Control Function (S-CSCF) allocated to the subscriber. The S-CSCF caches the address(es) in association with the subscriber identity and uses the address(es) to send subscriber-related messages to the allocated application server.