Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunication systems providing multiple services which could require possible adaptations based on the capabilities of the terminal used to access those services. Master databases in the telecommunication system take the responsibility to map between terminal and user identifiers. Applications and services are thus able to query terminal related capability information based on a user identity. In accordance with the invention, a Terminal Capabilities database (TC-DB) is introduced in order to establish a temporary relationship between a user and a terminal operated by such user. When a user attaches to the network, a terminal identifier is sent to the network that forwards that identity to the TC-DB. For retrieval of terminal capabilities the application servers send a request message to the TC-DB by using the user identity as a correlating key.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunication systems providing multiple services which could require possible adaptations based on the capabilities of the terminal used to access those services. Master databases in the telecommunication system take the responsibility to map between terminal and user identifiers. Applications and services are thus able to query terminal related capability information based on a user identity. In accordance with the invention, a Terminal Capabilities database (TC-DB) is introduced in order to establish a temporary relationship between a user and a terminal operated by such user. When a user attaches to the network, a terminal identifier is sent to the network that forwards that identity to the TC-DB. For retrieval of terminal capabilities the application servers send a request message to the TC-DB by using the user identity as a correlating key.

Abstract: A method of controlling load within a cellular telecommunications network due to packet data traffic, where packet data traffic associated with subscribers roaming in said network is broken out to respective access gateways in the subscribers home networks. The method comprises, within said cellular telecommunications network, identifying peer networks whose subscribers are currently roaming in the network. Upon detection of a congestion event within the network, a notification is caused to be sent to one or more of said peer networks. Upon receipt of the notification at the or each peer network, a reduction in the packet data traffic bandwidth available to those of said roaming subscribers belonging to the peer network is caused, wherein the packet data traffic associated with those subscribers in said cellular telecommunications is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a mechanism whereby a roaming user can select a visited network allowed for roaming by the home network operator among a plurality of visited networks accessible through an access network. Therefore, the present invention provides a new method, a new roaming device likely embedded in another network entity and enhanced user equipment whereby the home network, upon a user equipment indication, may submit towards the user equipment a list of allowed or preferred visited networks as well as selection criteria for selecting one visited network from the list.

Abstract: A method of handling packets within a packet-based communication system implementing a policy and charging control architecture. The method comprises, at one or more policy and charging enforcement functions within a packet switched access network or networks, monitoring packet flows to determine user usage on a per service class basis, and periodically reporting the determined usage from the policy and charging enforcement functions to a policy and charging rules function. At the policy and charging rules function, the received usage information is used in order to generate one or more one or more rule sets, each rule comprising one or more packet properties and one or more actions for handling a packet. The or at least one rule set is sent to the or each policy and charging enforcement function where they are applied in order to determine an action or actions for handling a packet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for advertising a route for transmitting data packets in a network. A first network element obtains a metric indicative of a cost for routing packets from the first network element to a second network element. The first network element compares the obtained metric with a metric received in a route advertisement message advertising a second route towards the second network element. The first network element sends route advertisement messages, advertising a first route towards the second network element through said first network element, only if the obtained metric indicates a lower cost than a received metric. When two or more network elements are advertising routes towards the same destination, the invention provides a solution allowing an optimized usage of transmission resources between these network elements and said destination.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a mechanism whereby a roaming user can select a visited network allowed for roaming by the home network operator among a plurality of visited networks accessible through an access network. Therefore, the present invention provides a new method, a new roaming device likely embedded in another network entity and enhanced user equipment whereby the home network, upon a user equipment indication, may submit towards the user equipment a list of allowed or preferred visited networks as well as selection criteria for selecting one visited network from the list.

Abstract: A method of handling packets within a packet-based communication system implementing a policy and charging control architecture. The method comprises, at one or more policy and charging enforcement functions within a packet switched access network or networks, monitoring packet flows to determine user usage on a per service class basis, and periodically reporting the determined usage from the policy and charging enforcement functions to a policy and charging rules function. At the policy and charging rules function, the received usage information is used in order to generate one or more one or more rule sets, each rule comprising one or more packet properties and one or more actions for handling a packet. The or at least one rule set is sent to the or each policy and charging enforcement function where they are applied in order to determine an action or actions for handling a packet.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a mechanism whereby a roaming user can select a visited network allowed for roaming by the home network operator among a plurality of visited networks accessible through an access network. Therefore, the present invention provides a new method, a new roaming device likely embedded in another network entity and enhanced user equipment whereby the home network, upon a user equipment indication, may submit towards the user equipment a list of allowed or preferred visited networks as well as selection criteria for selecting one visited network from the list.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function to control a communication session of a user terminal. The method comprises receiving an initial decision from a first decision function (C1), the initial decision requiring a redirection of a user interface of the user terminal to a primary address associated with the first decision function, notifying a second decision function of said initial decision (C6), receiving a supplementary decision from the second decision function (C7), the supplementary decision requiring that that the first decision function should communicate with a secondary address associated with the second decision function, and sending a redirection instruction to the user terminal to redirect the user interface to said primary address, the instruction including said secondary address (C10).

Abstract: A method of controlling load within a cellular telecommunications network due to packet data traffic, where packet data traffic associated with subscribers roaming in said network is broken out to respective access gateways in the subscribers home networks. The method comprises, within said cellular telecommunications network, identifying peer networks whose subscribers are currently roaming in the network. Upon detection of a congestion event within the network, a notification is caused to be sent to one or more of said peer networks. Upon receipt of the notification at the or each peer network, a reduction in the packet data traffic bandwidth available to those of said roaming subscribers belonging to the peer network is caused, wherein the packet data traffic associated with those subscribers in said cellular telecommunications is reduced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for advertising a route for transmitting data packets in a network. A first network element obtains a metric indicative of a cost for routing packets from the first network element to a second network element. The first network element compares the obtained metric with a metric received in a route advertisement message advertising a second route towards the second network element. The first network element sends route advertisement messages, advertising a first route towards the second network element through said first network element, only if the obtained metric indicates a lower cost than a received metric. When two or more network elements are advertising routes towards the same destination, the invention provides a solution allowing an optimized usage of transmission resources between these network elements and said destination.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a mechanism whereby a roaming user can select a visited network allowed for roaming by the home network operator among a plurality of visited networks accessible through an access network. Therefore, the present invention provides a new method, a new roaming device likely embedded in another network entity and enhanced user equipment whereby the home network, upon a user equipment indication, may submit towards the user equipment a list of allowed or preferred visited networks as well as selection criteria for selecting one visited network from the list.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunication systems providing multiple services which could require possible adaptations based on the capabilities of the terminal used to access those services.