Abstract: A way for managing use of a mobile wireless device in a tethering configuration is described. The disclosed mobile wireless system is configured to receive a message packet issued from a device tethered to the mobile wireless device. The system determines whether the mobile wireless device is permitted to pass messages on behalf of tethered devices by referencing a profile with which the mobile device is associated. The mobile wireless system discards the received message packet in response to determining from the profile that the mobile wireless device is not permitted to pass messages on behalf of tethered devices. Moreover, a number of ways for monetizing the supported tethering mode are described such that a service provider is adequately compensated for the increased demand on the mobile wireless network resources arising from support for the tethering mode of operation for a mobile wireless device.

Abstract: Managing data resource utilization in a wireless network environment comprising a first data network and a second data network is described herein. The described management infrastructure and method incorporates monitoring data usage of a wireless network subscriber over the first data network, determining that the data usage over the first data network meets a specified threshold, and, in response to the determination that usage has reached the specified threshold, administratively disconnecting the wireless network subscriber from the first data network so as to cause a data session of the wireless network subscriber to be reassigned to the second data network.

Abstract: Upon receiving (101) a user node request for communication services, which request requires system authentication, a network entity can initiate (104) provision of the requested services while intentionally delaying (105) any attempt to seek such authentication. Following that intentional delay, the network element can then transmit (106) an authentication request (for example, to an authentication entity such as an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting server) for that user node. When that authentication request is denied, the network entity can respond by terminating (108) the previously initiated communication service.

Abstract: A method and system of consolidating mobile IP messages within a network is provided. The method and system applies to the transfer of datagrams between home and foreign agents and mobile IP devices. The system provides for a temporary capture and storage of small non-real-time datagrams within a queue by a home agent or packet data serving node. Upon a queue full condition, the datagrams are consolidated into larger datagrams and transferred from the home agent to a packet data serving node or from a packet data serving node to a home agent. Real-time datagrams can be prioritized higher than non-real-time datagrams and transferred immediately to and from mobile IP devices without queuing. Optionally, a watchdog timer may be employed by the home agent and packet data serving nodes to prompt the assembling and sending of consolidated datagrams to limit latency encountered by a queued data.

Abstract: A network access element (100) having an ability (11) of support communication sessions for a multi-stack Internet Protocol device is further preferably provided with an ability (12) to use a hang time in conjunction with at least one of the communication sessions. In a preferred approach, a network access element having an ability to support communication sessions for a multi-stack Internet Protocol device is further provided with an ability to update (38) corresponding accounting information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing direct routing. An Internet Protocol (IP) packet sent from a first mobile node to a second mobile node is received at a foreign agent for a foreign network, wherein both the first and second mobile nodes are visiting the foreign network. It is determined that the second mobile node is visiting the foreign network. The packet is routed to the second mobile node over a communication path that does not include a home agent associated with the second mobile node.