Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a flow of data packets between first and second network addresses of a network, with each packet including respective header and payload portions. The identified flow of data packets is monitored over a number of sample periods to obtain a number of monitored results. A data-flow activity record is generated, having a number of symbols corresponding to the number of monitored results, the symbols including an active symbol value indicative of a presence of an exchange of data and an idle symbol value indicative of an absence of an exchange of data. A suitability of the identified data flow is inferred for estimating a throughput of the network according to the data-flow activity record without interpreting contents of each respective packet payload portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining media content from a content provider via a communication network that includes cells each associated with user equipment devices (UEs); obtaining information from a network element of the communication network, where the information includes cell load data for each of the cells and mapping data for the cells and associated UEs, and is collected by the network element in real time; determining that a cell is congested based on the information; performing, for a UE of the congested cell, a congestion shaping (CS) procedure that includes a shaping level for a media content flow associated with that UE; and adjusting the CS procedure based on additional information provided by the network element in real time or near-real time. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system obtains information from a network element of a communication network that includes cells each associated with user equipment devices (UEs); the information includes mapping data for each of the cells and the UEs associated with the respective cells, and the network element is in communication with the processing system via the communication network. The method also includes generating a historical record of cell load data representing content distributed to the cells from the processing system; determining that a cell is congested, based on the historical record; and performing a congestion shaping (CS) procedure for each of the UEs associated with the congested cell. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, adjusting bandwidth allocated for a first group of communication devices communicatively coupled to a first communication network from a bandwidth limited allocation to a no bandwidth limited allocation, and measuring a first group of metrics associated with the first group of communication devices associated with the first communication network. Further embodiments include computing a second group of metrics associated with a second group of communication devices communicatively coupled to a second communication network according to the first group of metrics, the second group of communication devices have the no bandwidth limited allocation, and allocating a first group of network resources for the second group of communication devices according to the second group of metrics. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Measuring and using interactivity in video conferencing can include identifying two or more client devices to be added to the video conference and establishing the video conference with the two client devices. Medica content can be generated, exchanged, and received via a video conferencing service, and quality of experience metric data associated with the video conference can be obtained. The quality of experience metric data can define interactivity associated with the video conference based on observable behavior associated with the video conference. Based on the quality of experience metric data, a projected quality of experience can be compared to a defined quality of experience measure, and if the projected quality of experience does not satisfy the defined quality of experience measure, a change to improve the projected quality of experience can be determined and a command can be generated and sent to cause a recipient to make the change.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system obtains information from a network element of a communication network that includes cells each associated with user equipment devices (UEs); the information includes mapping data for each of the cells and the UEs associated with the respective cells, and the network element is in communication with the processing system via the communication network. The method also includes generating a historical record of cell load data representing content distributed to the cells from the processing system; determining that a cell is congested, based on the historical record; and performing a congestion shaping (CS) procedure for each of the UEs associated with the congested cell. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a playlist identifying a plurality of video files to be played back during a video streaming session on an endpoint device, obtaining, from an operator of a communications network over which the video files are to be downloaded, a maximum throughput for the video streaming session, selecting a subsequent video file that is scheduled in the playlist for playback after a playback of a currently playing video file, wherein the subsequent video file includes a plurality of chunks, selecting, based on the maximum throughput and for each of the chunks, a variant, such that a plurality of variants is selected in which each variant corresponds to one chunk of the plurality of chunks, wherein the variants are selected to maximize a utility function that is constrained by the maximum throughput, and downloading the plurality of variants to a local buffer of the endpoint device.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, adjusting bandwidth allocated for a first group of communication devices communicatively coupled to a first communication network from a bandwidth limited allocation to a no bandwidth limited allocation, and measuring a first group of metrics associated with the first group of communication devices associated with the first communication network. Further embodiments include computing a second group of metrics associated with a second group of communication devices communicatively coupled to a second communication network according to the first group of metrics, the second group of communication devices have the no bandwidth limited allocation, and allocating a first group of network resources for the second group of communication devices according to the second group of metrics. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a playlist identifying video files and an order in which the video files are to be played back during a video streaming session on an endpoint device, obtaining, from an operator of a communications network over which the video files are to be downloaded, a maximum value of a streaming parameter for the video streaming session, selecting a subsequent video file that is scheduled for playback after a playback of a currently playing video file, wherein the subsequent video file includes a plurality of chunks, selecting, for each chunk, a variant, such that a plurality of variants is selected in which each variant corresponds to one chunk of the plurality of chunks, wherein the selecting the variant is based on both the maximum value and a measured value for the streaming parameter, and downloading the plurality of variants to a local buffer of the endpoint device.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a playlist identifying a plurality of video files to be played back during a video streaming session on an endpoint device, obtaining, from an operator of a communications network over which the video files are to be downloaded, a maximum throughput for the video streaming session, selecting a subsequent video file that is scheduled in the playlist for playback after a playback of a currently playing video file, wherein the subsequent video file includes a plurality of chunks, selecting, based on the maximum throughput and for each of the chunks, a variant, such that a plurality of variants is selected in which each variant corresponds to one chunk of the plurality of chunks, wherein the variants are selected to maximize a utility function that is constrained by the maximum throughput, and downloading the plurality of variants to a local buffer of the endpoint device.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a playlist identifying video files and an order in which the video files are to be played back during a video streaming session on an endpoint device, obtaining, from an operator of a communications network over which the video files are to be downloaded, a maximum value of a streaming parameter for the video streaming session, selecting a subsequent video file that is scheduled for playback after a playback of a currently playing video file, wherein the subsequent video file includes a plurality of chunks, selecting, for each chunk, a variant, such that a plurality of variants is selected in which each variant corresponds to one chunk of the plurality of chunks, wherein the selecting the variant is based on both the maximum value and a measured value for the streaming parameter, and downloading the plurality of variants to a local buffer of the endpoint device.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a playlist identifying video files and an order in which the video files are to be played back during a video streaming session on an endpoint device, obtaining, from an operator of a communications network over which the video files are to be downloaded, a maximum value of a streaming parameter for the video streaming session, selecting a subsequent video file that is scheduled for playback after a playback of a currently playing video file, wherein the subsequent video file includes a plurality of chunks, selecting, for each chunk, a variant, such that a plurality of variants is selected in which each variant corresponds to one chunk of the plurality of chunks, wherein the selecting the variant is based on both the maximum value and a measured value for the streaming parameter, and downloading the plurality of variants to a local buffer of the endpoint device.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a playlist identifying a plurality of video files to be played back during a video streaming session on an endpoint device, obtaining, from an operator of a communications network over which the video files are to be downloaded, a maximum throughput for the video streaming session, selecting a subsequent video file that is scheduled in the playlist for playback after a playback of a currently playing video file, wherein the subsequent video file includes a plurality of chunks, selecting, based on the maximum throughput and for each of the chunks, a variant, such that a plurality of variants is selected in which each variant corresponds to one chunk of the plurality of chunks, wherein the variants are selected to maximize a utility function that is constrained by the maximum throughput, and downloading the plurality of variants to a local buffer of the endpoint device.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining predicted available bandwidths for an end user device, monitoring buffer occupancy of a buffer of the end user device, determining bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy, and adjusting bit rates for portions of media content according to the predicted available bandwidths and according to the buffer occupancy during streaming of the media content to the end user device over a wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system obtains information from a network element of a communication network that includes cells each associated with user equipment devices (UEs); the information includes mapping data for each of the cells and the UEs associated with the respective cells, and the network element is in communication with the processing system via the communication network. The method also includes generating a historical record of cell load data representing content distributed to the cells from the processing system; determining that a cell is congested, based on the historical record; and performing a congestion shaping (CS) procedure for each of the UEs associated with the congested cell. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system generates a mapping record including static mapping data for cells in a communication network and user equipment devices associated with those cells. The method also includes obtaining cell load data representing video content distributed to the cells from the processing system; determining, based on the cell load data, that a cell is congested; identifying user equipment devices associated with the congested cell; and performing, for each of the user equipment devices associated with the congested cell, a congestion shaping (CS) procedure that includes a shaping level for a video content flow associated with that user equipment device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes obtaining media content from a content provider via a communication network that includes cells each associated with user equipment devices (UEs); obtaining information from a network element of the communication network, where the information includes cell load data for each of the cells and mapping data for the cells and associated UEs, and is collected by the network element in real time; determining that a cell is congested based on the information; performing, for a UE of the congested cell, a congestion shaping (CS) procedure that includes a shaping level for a media content flow associated with that UE; and adjusting the CS procedure based on additional information provided by the network element in real time or near-real time. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, adjusting bandwidth allocated for a first group of communication devices communicatively coupled to a first communication network from a bandwidth limited allocation to a no bandwidth limited allocation, and measuring a first group of metrics associated with the first group of communication devices associated with the first communication network. Further embodiments include computing a second group of metrics associated with a second group of communication devices communicatively coupled to a second communication network according to the first group of metrics, the second group of communication devices have the no bandwidth limited allocation, and allocating a first group of network resources for the second group of communication devices according to the second group of metrics. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, adjusting bandwidth allocated for first communication devices of a first communication network from a first bandwidth limit to no bandwidth limit, measuring first metrics of the first communication devices, computing second metrics of second communication devices of a second communication network, in which there is no bandwidth limit allocated to the second communication devices, determining a first allocation of first network resources for the second communication devices.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a flow of data packets between first and second network addresses of a network, with each packet including respective header and payload portions. The identified flow of data packets is monitored over a number of sample periods to obtain a number of monitored results. A data-flow activity record is generated, having a number of symbols corresponding to the number of monitored results, the symbols including an active symbol value indicative of a presence of an exchange of data and an idle symbol value indicative of an absence of an exchange of data. A suitability of the identified data flow is inferred for estimating a throughput of the network according to the data-flow activity record without interpreting contents of each respective packet payload portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.