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.

Abstract: Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for making a cache admission decision regarding a video chunk are described. For instance, a processing system including at least one processor may obtain a request for a first chunk of a first video, determine that the first chunk is not stored in a cache, and apply, in response to the determining that the first chunk is not stored in the cache, a classifier to predict whether the first chunk will be re-requested within a time horizon, where the classifier is trained in accordance with a set of features associated with a plurality of chunks of a plurality of videos. When it is predicted via the classifier that the first chunk will be re-requested within the time horizon, the processing system may store the first chunk in the cache.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining, from a first source of information, a first bandwidth prediction, wherein the first bandwidth prediction is based upon historical bandwidth data that had been provided by a plurality of devices; obtaining, from a second source of information, a second bandwidth prediction, wherein the second bandwidth prediction is based upon network measurements, and wherein the network measurements are other than the historical bandwidth data that had been provided by the plurality of devices; selecting as a source of a future bandwidth prediction one of the first source of information and the second source of information, wherein the selecting is based upon a comparison of each of the first bandwidth prediction and the second bandwidth prediction to an actually obtained bandwidth of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Network capacity planning based on application performance can include detecting a data session occurring on a network, identifying an application being used for the data session, where the application can include a video application, determining if a performance model for the video application exists, the performance model describing performance metrics and quality of service events associated with the video application, determining, based on the performance model, a capacity planning trigger for the video application, where the capacity planning trigger can include increasing network capacity based on the needs and a quality of service associated with the video application during the data session, and generating a command that, when executed by a network entity, causes the network entity to implement the capacity planning trigger on the network.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a communication device has initiated a first communication session with a video content server over a communication network, and identifying that the communication device is downloading short-form video content during the first communication session over a portion of the communication network. Further embodiments include determining a size and duration of pre-loaded short-form video content during the first communication session, and determining the communication device has initiated a second communication session with the video content server over the communication network. Additional embodiments include providing instructions to a network device according to the size and duration of the pre-loaded short-form video content to adjust network resources associated with the portion of the communication network. The network device adjusts the network resources associated with the portion of the communication network.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a communication device initiating a first communication session with a video content server, and determining the communication device is downloading video content during the first communication session from the video content server over a portion of a communication network resulting in first downloaded video content. Further embodiments include determining a video content service associated with the first downloaded video content, and identifying the first downloaded video content as short-form video content in response to determining a group of network traffic features associated with the first downloaded video content during the first communication session. Additional embodiments include providing first instructions to a network device to adjust a group of network resources associated with the portion of the communication network.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a communication session from each of a group of communication devices over a portion of a communication network resulting in a group of communication sessions. Each communication device of the group of communication devices is associated with a user. Further embodiments include determining each communication session comprises downloading of a group of short-form video content from a video content server over the portion of the communication network, and identifying a group of network traffic features associated with the group of communication sessions. Additional embodiments include providing first instructions to a network device based on the group of network traffic features. The network device adjusts a group of network resources according to the first instructions. Other embodiments are disclosed.