Abstract: A request is received to install control rules before having received a corresponding QoS Authorization, especially where the QoS Authorization requires a prior reservation of resources. The request for a bearer resource is pre-authorized before having received a QoS authorization for said request, by receiving a request for a bearer resource; determining that a QoS authorization has, not been received yet; pre-authorizing said request for the bearer resource by installing initial control rules; and updating the previously installed initial control rules with final control rules upon receipt of the QoS authorization. This pre-authorization and the submission of initial control rules are carried out from a PCRF server towards a PCEF device, before having received the QoS authorization. In particular, the pre-authorization may be triggered from a P-CSCF at the originating or destination side, or at both.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus concerning access policy and charging control. In particular it relates to enhanced service information for access policy and charging control. A media stream management of a service session between a first and a second electronic communication device comprise obtaining identity address data related to the first electronic communication device step, obtaining policy information associated with the second electronic communication device step, and performing a media stream management control step involving the identity address data related to the first electronic communication device and the policy information related to the second electronic communication device such that media streams between the first electronic communication device and the second electronic communication device can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide an enhanced mechanism for conflict resolution between authorized services in respect of selective authorization criteria, such as service incompatibilities, subscribed bandwidth QoS assigned per subscriber and pre-emption priority value assigned per service. To this end, the present invention provides for a new method that allows the authorization of a subsequent service as a result of applying a selective authorization criterion for the subscriber at a policy control rules server to determine those previously authorized services to be put on hold, notifying about said previously authorized services to be on hold towards application devices handling such services, and inactivating at a policy enforcement device those control rules applicable to the media associated with said previously authorized services.

Abstract: In scenarios where service requirements are negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are carried out through a bearer layer, control rules are created at a control server logically interposed between the signalling and bearer layers. These control rules are based on service requirements received from an entity in the signalling layer, and are installed in an entity in the bearer layer for a bearer established therein. However, not all the service requirements negotiated through the signalling layer can be supported at the bearer layer by any user's equipment. The invention provides for a method and devices whereby the control server can create control rules based on the service requirements received from the signalling layer and also based on capabilities of the user's equipment currently used by the user, and whereby the control rules are installed for a currently established bearer or for a new subsequent bearer further established, depending on these control rules.

Abstract: Being aware of a loss of signalling bearer transport through an IP Connectivity Access Network is an important issue. Therefore, the present invention relies on amending the Policing and Charging Control model with means to provide the IMS infrastructure with subscriptions to and notifications about signalling session events detected on the signalling IP flow transported through the bearer layer. To this end, a P-CSCF, or AF included therein, is amended to allow the establishment of a signalling session for subscription to notification of bearer level events for a signalling IP flow. Apart from that, new processing rules are required at the AF and PCRF for handling the signalling session, the notification of events and the termination of the signalling session.

Abstract: In scenarios where the quality of service is negotiated through a signalling layer whereas the services are actually carried through a bearer layer, application functions at the signalling layer are not always aware of how quality of service is individually accomplished at the bearer layer on a service basis. The invention provides a method and devices whereby events are detected on a service data flow basis at a detection device in the bearer layer and notified towards an application device in the signalling layer via a control device between the signalling and the bearer layer. The list of events to be notified is obtainable at the control device from the application device and is included in Quality of Service related rules, along with service data flow filters. This Quality of Service related rules are provided to the detection device for inspecting individual service data flows in order to detect and notify the indicated events.