Abstract: A multimedia provider multicasts a main multimedia stream comprising a mixture of intra and inter frames and multicasts an associated auxiliary stream comprising intra frames. At least a portion of the intra frames in the auxiliary stream are generated based on same multimedia data as at least a portion of the inter frames of the main stream. The provider also transmits a stream information channel comprising information descriptive of time instances of intra frames in the main and auxiliary streams. This information allows a set top box to selectively connect, in connection with session set-up and channel switch, to the main or auxiliary stream to receive an intra frame with as a low delay as possible.

Abstract: A method for re-transmitting missing packets in an improved manner in association with transmitting an MPEG transport stream between a client and a server of a communication network is provided. New type of customized control packets are introduced which are periodically embedded into the transport stream at the server from which the MPEG transport stream is distributed, wherein each of the embedded control packets is provided with package identification data. A client receiving the MPEG transport stream, including the embedded customized control packets, will, on the basis of the package identification data obtained from a customized control packet be able to identify each of n packets which were inserted by the server into the transport stream subsequent to the respective customized control packet.

Abstract: A method for re-transmitting missing packets in an improved manner in association with transmitting an MPEG transport stream between a client and a server of a communication network is provided. New type of customized control packets are introduced which are periodically embedded into the transport stream at the server from which the MPEG transport stream is distributed, wherein each of the embedded control packets is provided with package identification data. A client receiving the MPEG transport stream, including the embedded customized control packets, will, on the basis of the package identification data obtained from a customized control packet be able to identify each of n packets which were inserted by the server into the transport stream subsequent to the respective customized control packet.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for controlling service traffic in a communication network including an online charging system performing the steps of receiving a request for service traffic control, the request including at least data identifying a first communication network account; determining, based on the received data and a predefined set of rules, a first network traffic policy profile associated with the first account; transmitting to a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF a first policy control command including an identifier identifying the first network traffic policy profile stored in an network traffic policy profile entity, to be applied in controlling the service.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a Reliable Transmission Protocol switch node to provide an IPTV multicast is provided. According to an embodiment of the invention, IP packets transporting an encrypted media stream are received from an IPTV Head-end. The media stream contains complete image frames. Unencrypted identifiers identifying packets containing complete image frame data are also received. The received packets are stored in a buffer, and on receipt of a request from a media renderer to provide the IPTV multicast, the packet(s) containing the last complete image frame in the media stream and all subsequent packets are sent to the media renderer.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for controlling service traffic in a communication network comprising in an online charging system performing the steps of receiving a request for service traffic control, the request including at least data identifying a first communication network account; determining, based on the received data and a predefined set of rules, a first network traffic policy profile associated with the first account; transmitting to a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF a first policy control command including an identifier identifying the first network traffic policy profile stored in an network traffic policy profile entity, to be applied in controlling the service.

Abstract: A multimedia provider multicasts a main multimedia stream comprising a mixture of intra and inter frames and multicasts an associated auxiliary stream comprising intra frames. At least a portion of the intra frames in the auxiliary stream are generated based on same multimedia data as at least a portion of the inter frames of the main stream. The provider also transmits a stream information channel comprising information descriptive of time instances of intra frames in the main and auxiliary streams. This information allows a set top box to selectively connect, in connection with session set-up and channel switch, to the main or auxiliary stream to receive an intra frame with as a low delay as possible.