Abstract: Periodic requests for to Packet Flow Description, PFD, data updates on all Application Ids generate a constant background load in several network function nodes, even if applications have not been updated. There is provided a mechanism to optimize PFD management updates in a telecommunication network, whereby PFD data for a selected number of applications are stored and updated permanently, whilst PFD data for other applications are only temporarily stored so that storage and updates are released when these other applications are not in use. A list of permanent Application Ids is configured for the most frequently used applications. When a control rule specifies an Application Id not included in the list of permanent Application Ids, the specified Application Id is included in a list of temporary Application Ids, which are periodically checked and, when not used, are removed from the list of temporary Application Ids.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function. The CP function creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the URR CRPL to the UP function.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to Sx protocol extension to support node PDR. In one embodiment, there proposes a method (500) in a first network node (301) configured as control plane function (CPF). The first network node (301) is coupled to a second network node (302) configured as user plane function (UPF) via an Sx interface. The method (500) comprising transmitting (S501) a message associated with a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) to the second network node (302) via the Sx interface, wherein the PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session. With embodiments herein, the CPF-UPF signaling throughput can be minimized significantly, and the memory footprint per Sx session can be decreased.

Abstract: A method performed in a CP node. The method comprises setting a TQM in a URR to which its corresponding SDFs are applicable for envelope reporting, setting at least one reporting trigger in the URR, to instruct the UP function to generate a usage report upon closure of an envelope, setting a measurement method in the URR, to instruct the UP function to collect usage of volume, time and/or event, sending the set URR to the UP function, receiving one or more usage reports from the UP function, in response to the sent URR, wherein the received usage report(s) comprises at least a usage report trigger set to envelope closure, determining a starting time and/or an ending time for each envelope, based on the received usage report(s), and storing each envelope, with the determined starting time and/or ending time, for online or offline charging.

Abstract: A method performed by a user plane, UP. The method includes determining whether a redirect message should be sent to a user equipment, UE, that has transmitted a first message intended for a first server, wherein the determining comprises: i) receiving a message transmitted by the first server and determining, based on the message, whether a redirect message should be sent to the UE or ii) detecting a timeout with respect to the first server; and, as a result of determining that redirect message should be sent to the UE, sending to the UE the redirect message, wherein the redirect message is configured to cause the UE to send a second message to a second server.

Abstract: Periodic requests for to Packet Flow Description, PFD, data updates on all Application Ids generate a constant background load in several network function nodes, even if applications have not been updated. There is provided a mechanism to optimize PFD management updates in a telecommunication network, whereby PFD data for a selected number of applications are stored and updated permanently, whilst PFD data for other applications are only temporarily stored so that storage and updates are released when these other applications are not in use. A list of permanent Application Ids is configured for the most frequently used applications. When a control rule specifies an Application Id not included in the list of permanent Application Ids, the specified Application Id is included in a list of temporary Application Ids, which are periodically checked and, when not used, are removed from the list of temporary Application Ids.

Abstract: A method for supporting envelope reporting in a radio communication network having a control plane, CP, function separated from a user plane, UP, function, is presented.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function. The CP function creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the URR CRPL to the UP function.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function (401) for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function (401) creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function (405). The CP function (401) creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function (405) to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function (401) provides the URR CRPL to the UP function (405).

Abstract: A method for supporting envelope reporting in a radio communication network having a control plane, CP, function separated from a user plane, UP, function, is presented.

Abstract: A packet core system includes a User Plane, UP, a Control Plane, CP and an Online Charging System, OCS. The UP and CP are split, and the UP and CP allow communication over one or more SX interfaces. The UP is adapted for initially receiving a message such as a Sx/PFCP Session Establishment Request from the CR and responding with a message such as a Sx/PFCP Session Establishment Response to the CP, and receiving a message such as a Sx/PFCP Session Modification Request from the CP and responding with message such as a Sx/PFCP Modification Response to the CP. At least one of the Sx/PFCP Session Establishment Request and the SX/PFCP Session Modification Request includes a Generic Buffering Information Element indicating a generic buffering action.

Abstract: A method performed by a user plane, UP. The method includes determining whether a redirect message should be sent to a user equipment, UE, that has transmitted a first message intended for a first server, wherein the determining comprises: i) receiving a message transmitted by the first server and determining, based on the message, whether a redirect message should be sent to the UE or ii) detecting a timeout with respect to the first server; and, as a result of determining that redirect message should be sent to the UE, sending to the UE the redirect message, wherein the redirect message is configured to cause the UE to send a second message to a second server.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function (401) for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function (401) creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function (405). The CP function (401) creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function (405) to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function (401) provides the URR CRPL to the UP function (405).

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to Sx protocol extension to support node PDR. In one embodiment, there proposes a method (500) in a first network node (301) configured as control plane function (CPF). The first network node (301) is coupled to a second network node (302) configured as user plane function (UPF) via an Sx interface. The method (500) comprising transmitting (S501) a message associated with a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) to the second network node (302) via the Sx interface, wherein the PDR is applicable to more than one Sx session. With embodiments herein, the CPF-UPF signaling throughput can be minimized significantly, and the memory footprint per Sx session can be decreased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method performed by a network node of managing online charging, and a network node performing the method. In an aspect of the invention, a method performed by a network node of managing online charging of sponsored data connectivity is provided. The method comprises receiving (S101) a user request for service related to the sponsored data connectivity, estimating (S102) a number of users that are expected to use said service, and acquiring (S103), from an Online Charging System authorizing access to the sponsored data connectivity, authorisation for the estimated number of users that are expected to use said service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method performed by a network node of managing online charging, and a network node performing the method. In an aspect of the invention, a method performed by a network node of managing online charging of sponsored data connectivity is provided. The method comprises receiving (S101) a user request for service related to the sponsored data connectivity, estimating (S102) a number of users that are expected to use said service, and acquiring (S103), from an Online Charging System authorizing access to the sponsored data connectivity, authorisation for the estimated number of users that are expected to use said service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) and a method of the PCEF in a communications network of indicating to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) charging information of a 5 subscriber received from an Online Charging System (OCS). The invention further relates to a PCRF and a method of the PCRF in a communications network of acquiring OCS charging information of a subscriber. In a first aspect, a method of a PCEF (20) in a communications network (10) of indicating to a PCRF (15) charging information of a subscriber (16) received from an OCS (21) is provided. The method comprises receiving (S102), from the OCS, the charging information of the subscriber requesting a service in the communications network, and submitting (S103), over Gx reference point to the PCRF, a Rule-Failure-Code associated with the charging information received from the OCS.

Abstract: Methods of pre-emptive credit control, as well as corresponding network elements and a computer program are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method is performed in a network element comprising receiving, from an online charging system, at least one pre-emptive credit control directive for a subscriber, the credit control directive applying to at least one rating group; storing the at least one pre-emptive credit control directive in the network element and applying the at least one pre-emptive credit control directive at content or service delivery start, prior to any service or content received from, or addressing, the subscriber and belonging to the at least one rating group being forwarded from the network element.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a Packet Domain Network Gateway (PGW), and corresponding methods therein, for service usage reporting and quota management in a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) based network. Example embodiments presented herein are also directed towards an Online Charging System (OCS) for receiving service usage reporting and quota management in a PCC based network. Quota reporting and quota management is performed on a pre-rating group basis.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to the field of Credit Control. More particularly the disclosure relates to methods of pre-emptive credit control, as well as to corresponding network elements and to a computer program. According to one aspect the disclosure relates to a method performed in a network element comprising receiving, from an online charging system, at least one pre-emptive credit control directive for a subscriber, the credit control directive applying to at least one rating group; storing the at least one pre-emptive credit control directive in the network element and applying the at least one pre-emptive credit control directive at content or service delivery start, prior to any service or content received from, or addressing, the subscriber and belonging to the at least one rating group being forwarded from the network element.