Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed at a Policy and Charging Rule Function, PCRF, entity for provisioning policy information. The method comprises preparing policy information for provision to a PCEF entity and then provisioning the policy information to the PCEF entity. The method also comprises indicating a recurring time interval for applying a policy associated with the policy information to the PCEF entity such that the policy can be applied at the PCEF repeatedly at the recurring time interval without further provisioning of the policy information to the PCEF entity. Correspondingly, there is also provided a method performed at a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, PCEF, entity for applying a policy. Apparatuses embodied at the PCRF and PCEF are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed at a Policy and Charging Rule Function, PCRF, entity for provisioning policy information. The method comprises preparing policy information for provision to a PCEF entity and then provisioning the policy information to the PCEF entity. The method also comprises indicating a recurring time interval for applying a policy associated with the policy information to the PCEF entity such that the policy can be applied at the PCEF repeatedly at the recurring time interval without further provisioning of the policy information to the PCEF entity. Correspondingly, there is also provided a method performed at a provisioning the policy information to the PCEF entity Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, PCEF, entity for applying a policy. Apparatuses embodied at the PCRF and PCEF are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus and computer program product for facilitating location based services and/or location based policy control. A method at a first network node comprises receiving a message from a terminal connected to the first network node via non-3GPP access, the message including a local IP address or both the local IP address and a port number of the terminal; and sending geographical location related information of the terminal to an IMS network via at least a network node for policy control function of the IMS network. Methods at other network nodes and corresponding apparatus are also provided. With the embodiments, location based services and/or policy control may be provided to non-3GPP access devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a Voice over LTE (Long Term Evolution) (VoLTE) call in a communication network are provided. After a request for establishing a VoLTE call is received, a user equipment (UE) involved in the VoLTE call that is in LTE coverage can be identified. One or more dummy messages are send to the identified UE after the VoLTE call enters into ringing phase. An interval between successive dummy messages is shorter than a first time period set for determining whether to release radio resource for supporting the VoLTE call in LTE coverage. Sending the dummy message can be stopped if the VoLTE call is answered or is cancelled. As a consequence, time spending on establishing a VoLTE call is shortened and good performance characteristics is achieved, and signallings on networks are reduced.

Abstract: A method in a communication network for facilitating handover of a user equipment (UE) from access via a source access path to access via a target access path is provided. An internet protocol (IP) access is provided to the UE via the source access path and an indication that the UE has configured a communication interface for the target access path is obtained. Switching from providing IP access via the source access path to providing IP access to the UE via the target access path is performed. Further, instructions for releasing communication resources for the source access path are sent after the indication that the communication interface has been configured for the target access path is obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a Voice over LTE (Long Term Evolution) (VoLTE) call in a communication network are provided. After a request for establishing a VoLTE call is received, a user equipment (UE) involved in the VoLTE call that is in LTE coverage can be identified. One or more dummy messages are send to the identified UE after the VoLTE call enters into ringing phase. An interval between successive dummy messages is shorter than a first time period set for determining whether to release radio resource for supporting the VoLTE call in LTE coverage. Sending the dummy message can be stopped if the VoLTE call is answered or is cancelled. As a consequence, time spending on establishing a VoLTE call is shortened and good performance characteristics is achieved, and signallings on networks are reduced.

Abstract: The application relates to session mobility between 3GPP, such as UMTS and LTE, networks and non-3GPP, such as WLAN, access networks and in particular network-based mobility where the PDN gateway PDN GW acts as the user-plane anchor between the two. This topic is discussed in 3GPP, ongoing work item Study on S2a Mobility based On GTP & WLAN access to EPC, SaMOG, TR 23.852; and TS 23.402. Within the SaMOG Rel-12 study, a number of solutions for handover with IP address preservation have been proposed, see 3GPP TR 23.852 section 8.2. However, the current standards do not prevent that that in case of handover, the UE interface for the source path might be released before the configuration for the target path interface has been configured and the UE might not have any interface at all. Hence, the application proposes that release of the source path resources is delayed until the relevant network node has received an indication that the UE has configured its communication interface for the target path.