Abstract: A method comprises communicating a specification of a network slice instance (NSI) that identifies a network function (NF), and operating the identified NF in accordance with the specification.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method for session admission at a node in an infrastructure provider network. The method includes receiving a connection request from a user equipment not associated with a network with which the infrastructure provider network is associated and obtaining from the user equipment, an identification of a service provider with which the infrastructure provider network is associated. Access authorization is then requested from the identified service provider. Embodiments allow such a process to provide government mandated free access, or for some other service provider to pay for the service.

Abstract: A method and system for providing Customer Service Management (CSM) a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. The communication network provides at least one service involving one or more terminals serviced by the communication network. A CSM function is defined which is based upon said at least one service and customized to said at least one service, to provide service-customized CSM. CSM may provide service-based charging/billing, service-based context management, service-customized QoE control, service-customized network topology.

Abstract: A telecom connectivity service provider (TCSP) and a method for allocating an infrastructure resource to a virtual network operator (VNO). A TCSP control element sends to a downstream control element, a request for a portion of the infrastructure to be allocated to the TCSP by an infrastructure provider (InP) and receives a response from the downstream control element providing access to and control of the allocated infrastructure. The TCSP control element can pool the allocated infrastructure with other resources allocated to the TCSP and/or communicate with an upstream control element for providing access to and control of the allocated infrastructure to the VNO. The downstream control element is a local InP control element or a downstream TCSP control element. The upstream control element is a VNO control element or an upstream TCSP control element.

Abstract: A method of providing telecommunication communication services to a customer, comprising, at a network management function (MF) of a telecommunication service provider: receiving an order in accordance with an agreement as to terms of a telecommunications service offering; accessing network resources that satisfy the terms of the service offering; initializing an instance of the service offering using the resources accessible thereby, creating at least one interface by which the telecommunications service offering is made available to the customer; and exposing each of the at least one created interfaces to enable a network MF of the customer to use the telecommunication.service offering.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting customer charging in 5G networks are provided. Monitoring functions are instantiated at selected network locations for tracking access to network services. The monitoring functions provide charging information for use in customer billing. A customer can enter a service level agreement with a particular customized method of charging for service usage, and the monitoring functions can be customized to provide charging information according to the service level agreement. Charging can vary based on factors such as time of day, network congestion, service traffic characteristics, and geographic location.

Abstract: A network management system configured to: selectively expose network management data; receive a request for a network service, the request including service requirements and parameters in accordance with the exposed network management data, wherein the service comprises a selected one of: Communication as a Service (CaaS), Network Slice as a Service (NSaaS), Network Slice Subnet as a Service (NSSaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS); and responsive to the received request, negotiate a service level agreement based on the service requirements and parameters.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for mission critical communications. In an aspect, a computer-implemented method may be implemented for a node device on a network to facilitate communication between a sending device and an intended recipient device. The node device may receive from the sending device a mission critical (MC) communication directed to the intended recipient device. The node device may process the received MC communication to produce processed MC data and cache some or all of the processed MC data. The node device may transmit at least a portion of the received MC communication, the processed MC data, and/or the cached MC data to the intended recipient device.

Abstract: Spoofed radio control signaling instructions can be used to dynamically adapt management of the radio interface by radio control processors. More specifically, spoofed radio control signaling can be communicated to an accelerator application instantiated on a device-side of a radio control processor. The accelerator application can pre-process the spoofed radio control signaling before forwarding the instructions to a generic radio control processor. In one example, the generic radio control processor has a universal configuration that is capable of being adapted to different telecommunication protocols based on the spoofed radio control signaling. In another example, the spoofed radio control channel signaling is translated into control instructions at the accelerator application, which are forwarded to the generic radio control processor. The control instructions govern processing of downlink data channel transmissions and/or specify parameters of uplink transmissions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether to admit a virtual network using a set of communication network resources are provided. Different network resources can be owned by different infrastructure providers. Virtual network requests include a spatial profile of traffic requirements to be accommodated, and a determination is made as to whether the request can be accommodated based on available network resources. The resources include available backhaul link capacities. The resources can include computing resources for supporting service functions of the virtual network. Monitored network resource usage and traffic corresponding to the virtual network can be used to adjust future requests and accommodations. When a virtual network cannot be accommodated, a counter-offer can be made. Accommodation may incorporate monetary considerations. A feasibility computation of the admission procedure is formulated.

Abstract: A telecom connectivity service provider (TCSP) and a method for allocating an infrastructure resource to a virtual network operator (VNO). A TCSP control element sends to a downstream control element, a request for a portion of the infrastructure to be allocated to the TCSP by an infrastructure provider (InP) and receives a response from the downstream control element providing access to and control of the allocated infrastructure. The TCSP control element can pool the allocated infrastructure with other resources allocated to the TCSP and/or communicate with an upstream control element for providing access to and control of the allocated infrastructure to the VNO. The downstream control element is a local InP control element or a downstream TCSP control element. The upstream control element is a VNO control element or an upstream TCSP control element.

Abstract: A network management entity configured to: deactivate a Network Slice Instance without releasing network resources previously allocated to the Network Slice Instance; and subsequent to deactivating the Network Slice Instance, activating the Network Slice Instance using the network resources previously allocated to the Network Slice Instance. A Network Slice Management Function (NSMF) perform slice specific Lifecycle Management (LCM) for a Network Slice Instance (NSI) based on Communication Service Instance (CSI) requirements is also disclosed. Customer Service Management Function (CSMF) for receiving service requirements from a Service Manager (SM) and transmitting the CSI requirements a Network Slice Management Function (NSMF) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing Customer Service Management (CSM) a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. The communication network provides at least one service involving one or more terminals serviced by the communication network. A CSM function is defined which is based upon said at least one service and customized to said at least one service, to provide service-customized CSM. CSM may provide service-based charging/billing, service-based context management, service-customized QoE control, service-customized network topology.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is to provide a Connectivity Management (CM) function for use in networks such as a wireless network. The CM function can support both User Equipment (UE) and Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in the network. In one embodiment of the first aspect, there is provided methods and systems for CM for a plurality of different types of devices that may evaluate tracking criteria to determine where and when wireless resources will need to be allocated to a wireless device. In some embodiments, these tracking criteria include location tracking and/or activity tracking. Another aspect provides for the instantiation of virtual CM functions established at appropriate physical nodes to provide device specific or service specific CM.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for transmitting data to users. The system includes nodes interconnected by at least one data network. The nodes are organized hierarchically to comprise a root node and at least two child nodes. The data transmission characteristics of communication with each of the child nodes are different. The root node is configured to: receive data transmission preferences of a particular user; receive data to be transmitted to the particular user; and transmit a selected subset of the data to at least one of the child nodes. The subset selected based on at least the received data transmission preferences and the data transmission characteristics, to permit the particular user to obtain data from the child nodes according to the data transmission preferences. The at least one of the child nodes being configured to: receive data from the root node; and transmit at least part of the received data to the user.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of network slice management performed by a Communication Service Management Function (CSMF). The method includes receiving service requirements and receiving capability exposure information. The method further includes transmitting network slice requirements in accordance with the service requirements and capability exposure information. In some embodiments the capability exposure information is received from a Network Slice Management Function (NSMF). In some embodiments the network slice requirements are transmitted to the NSMF. Other aspects are directed to methods implemented by an NSMF and a Network Sub-Slice Management Function (NSSMF). Other aspects are directed to the network functions themselves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for management of network slices in a communication network such as a 5th generation wireless communication network are provided. Management planes may be provided which are separate from the plurality of network slices. A connection manager residing in a management plane receives an indication that a mobile device is to be associated with the communication network. The connection manager may reside at an access node or in the core network. A network slice is determined, and the connection manager transmits instructions, to one or more network nodes, to associate the mobile device with the network slice. The instructions may be provided to a local connection manager. The slice may be requested explicitly by the mobile device, or determined based on device and/or network requirements.

Abstract: A method for User Equipment (UE) power management in a wireless communication system is provided. A connection manager of the communication system receives a power management policy from a third party entity. The policy directs setting of a power management scheme according to status information of the UE. The third party entity is functionally separate from the UE and a network domain associated with the connection manager. Status information is received from the UE. A power management instruction is transmitted towards the UE to modify power management parameters stored in the UE.

Abstract: Predicting mobile station migration between geographical locations of a wireless network can be achieved using a migration probability database. The database can be generated based on statistical information relating to the wireless network, such as historical migration patterns and associated mobility information (e.g., velocities, bin location, etc.). The migration probability database consolidates the statistical information into mobility prediction functions for estimating migration probabilities/trajectories based on dynamically reported mobility parameters. By example, mobility prediction functions can compute a likelihood that a mobile station will migrate between geographic regions based on a velocity of the mobile station. Accurate mobility prediction may improve resource provisioning efficiency during admission control and path selection, and can also be used to dynamically adjust handover margins.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for providing customized virtual networks based on SONAC. In an embodiment, a network management entity for providing a customized VN includes a SONAC module executed by a computing device that is connected to a wireless network, the SONAC module configured to receive service requirement data from the wireless network and create a service customized VN according to the service requirement data, the service requirement data describing one or more service requirements, wherein the SONAC module comprises an interface to interact with: an SDT component, the SDT component used by the SONAC module to determine a service customized logical topology; an SDRA component that maps the logical topology to physical network resources within the wireless network; and a SDP component that determines an end-to-end data transport protocol for communication between a first device and a second device via the wireless network.