Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided by which a virtual network function is instantiated. The virtual network function comprises at least one virtual network function component. Each virtual network function component is described by a virtual deployment unit. At least one virtual deployment unit is indicated as an inactive virtual deployment unit. Upon instantiating a virtual network function, only a virtual network function component which is not described by an inactive deployment unit is instantiated when instantiating the virtual network function.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described by which a virtual network function is instantiated, wherein the virtual network function comprises at least one virtual network function component, each virtual network function component being described by a virtual deployment unit, and at least one virtual deployment unit being indicated as an inactive virtual deployment unit, wherein upon instantiating a virtual network function, only a virtual network function component is instantiated which is not described by an inactive deployment unit when instantiating the virtual network function.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing interaction between a network operator and entities managing resources and instances in a virtual radio access network. A radio access network resource manager comprises a database mapping cells to resources and instances associated with the cells, and one or more interfaces between the network operator and the entities managing resources and instances. The radio access network manager mediates commands and information received from the network manager and from the entities managing resources and instances, translating cell-level commands and information from the network manager to commands and information relating to associated resources and entities, and translating resource and instance-level information and requests from the entities managing resources and instances to cell-level information and requests to the network operator.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing interaction between a network operator and entities managing resources and instances in a virtual radio access network. A radio access network resource manager comprises a database mapping cells to resources and instances associated with the cells, and one or more interfaces between the network operator and the entities managing resources and instances. The radio access network manager mediates commands and information received from the network manager and from the entities managing resources and instances, translating cell-level commands and information from the network manager to commands and information relating to associated resources and entities, and translating resource and instance-level information and requests from the entities managing resources and instances to cell-level information and requests to the network operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an application server and a method. The application server comprises a resolver which reserves a subscriber number prefix for test target applications. The resolver associates an address of an application server with the prefix in a memory and resolves subscriber numbers containing the prefix into the address using the memory. A network element simulator listens to a port, which has a port number which is also used in communicating with the network element being simulated. A test target application communicates with the simulator instead of the network element being simulated via a protocol stack in the application server. An application layer binding is used to route incoming messages to the test target application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling communication. An apparatus, for example, a routing logic component may receive user control settings relating to a user may receive application control settings relating to an application; and may receive operator control settings relating to an operator. Communications between a device of said user and said application and between said application and said operator based on one or more of said user control settings, said application control settings and said operator control settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for maintaining the privacy of a user and/or user's mobile device when communicating with an application. Communications between a mobile device of a user and an application are controlled wherein the mobile device is identified by a first identifier for communications between a gateway and the mobile device and the mobile device is identified by a second identifier for communications between the gateway and the application. The methods and apparatus translate between the first identifier and the second identifier, and determine whether the communications between the mobile device and the application are enabled or disabled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for enabling location data for a user to be included in communication messages from the user. A communication message is received from a mobile device of the user wherein the communication message is addressed to or intended for a location based service. A request message is transmitted for a location data of the mobile device to a mobile operator of the user. A response message is received from the mobile operator wherein the response message includes the location data for the mobile device. The communication message is processed to include the received location data for the mobile device and the processed communication message is transmitted to the location based service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for enabling location data for a user 110 to be included in communication messages from the user 110. A communication message is received from a mobile device 103 of the user 110 wherein the communication message is addressed to or intended for a location based service 107. A request message is transmitted for a location data of the mobile device 103 to a mobile operator 105 of the user 110. A response message is received from the mobile operator 105 wherein the response message includes the location data for the mobile device 103. The communication message is processed to include the received location data for the mobile device 103 and the processed communication message is transmitted to the location based service 107.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for maintaining the privacy of a user 103, 105 and/or user's mobile device 104, 106 when communicating with an application 109, 110. Communications between a mobile device 104 of a user 103 and an application 109 are controlled wherein the mobile device 104 is identified by a first identifier for communications between a gateway 102 and the mobile device 104 and the mobile device 104 is identified by a second identifier for communications between the gateway 102 and the application 109. The methods and apparatus translate between the first identifier and the second identifier, and determine whether the communications between the mobile device 104 and the application 109 are enabled or disabled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling communication. An apparatus 102, for example, a routing logic component may receive user control settings relating to a user 103, 105, may receive application control settings relating to an application; and may receive operator control settings relating to an operator 107, 109. Communications between a device 104, 106 of said user 103, 105 and said application 112, 113 and between said application 112, 113 and said operator 107, 109 based on one or more of said user control settings, said application control settings and said operator control settings.