Abstract: Methods, devices, and a system for prediction of Radio Access Network performance. A device for training a prediction model for predicting Radio Access Network performance obtains information associated with at least one network element; determines a tag for the at least one network element, wherein the tag is based on a network environment property of the at least one network element; and determines, based on the tag, a cluster to be associated with the at least one network element. The device determines a performance indicator value for the at least one cluster, creates a training set comprising the performance indicator value of at least one cluster; and trains a prediction model using the training set. The prediction model trained by the device can be used by a device for prediction of Radio Access Network performance.

Abstract: A calibrator is employed to adjust the output of a network simulator that functions to simulate an operational network, such that the adjusted output better matches reality. The calibrator is a machine learning system. For example, the calibrator may be the generative model of a GAN.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adapting a service level for a service consumed by a terminal user in a communication network, using a service level control system (308,312,400). A service usage analyzer (308,402) collects information on service usage of the user, and estimates the user with respect to his/her service usage based on features of a usage pattern extracted from the collected service usage information. A subscription policy manager (312,412) then adapts the service level for service usage based on the user estimation, by adjusting or introducing a corresponding rule or policy in the user's subscription profile (304). The user will then consume the service with the new adapted service level.

Abstract: It is presented a method for controlling an autonomous device (4) of a cellular network (5). The method is performed by a network device (20) and comprises the steps of: predicting (43) a need to increase coverage of the cellular network or a need to increase capacity of the cellular network, comprising the steps of: inputting live data features into a trained classifier (80); and outputting a launch class from the classifier (80); and activating (45) an autonomous device (4) of the cellular network, to improve the cellular network. Corresponding network devices, computer program and computer program product are also presented.

Abstract: A pattern analysing device (27) in a pattern processing node {21} of a data collection system (10) comprises a pattern updating unit equipped with a pattern collecting element configured to obtain an existing pattern of historical data according to at least one existing data model, where the existing pattern relates to an entity (11) associated with the data collection system and obtain a further pattern of newer data according to a further data model, where the further pattern also relates to the entity, <<pattern updating element configured to compare the patterns with each other, determine if the existing data model can be mapped on the further data model and update the existing pattern with the further pattern in relation to the historical data if the existing data model can be mapped on the further data model.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus in a multimedia network node (312), for providing a relevant service level for a first subscriber (A) in a multimedia session with a second subscriber (B). A service level policy has been defined for each subscriber. A session negotiation message (3:1) sent by the first subscriber is first obtained. A required service level of the first subscriber is then detected from a service level parameter that the first subscriber has added to the negotiation message. The policy is updated (3:2a) for the second subscriber if the required service level cannot be allowed in the first subscriber's receive direction according to the original policy of the second subscriber, to allow that network resources are reserved (3:3) for the session such that the first subscriber will receive media (3:4) with the required service level.

Abstract: It is presented a method for controlling an autonomous device (4) of a cellular network (5). The method is performed by a network device (20) and comprises the steps of: predicting (43) a need to increase coverage of the cellular network or a need to increase capacity of the cellular network, comprising the steps of: inputting live data features into a trained classifier (80); and outputting a launch class from the classifier (80); and activating (45) an autonomous device (4) of the cellular network, to improve the cellular network. Corresponding network devices, computer program and computer program product are also presented.

Abstract: Method and a recommendation system (200) for making a media item recommendation to a user. A weighted graph is created (2:2) that comprises item nodes representing media items and edges linking the item nodes. Weights are also assigned to the edges based on weights of contributors shared by the linked item nodes. When an initial media item of interest to the user is identified (2:4), the recommendation system determines (2:5) a set of media items which are linked to the initial media item in a weighted graph. At least one of the determined set of media items is also selected based on the assigned weight of edges linking the media items to the initial media item. The recommendation system then provides (2:6) the media item recommendation with the at least one selected media item to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for requesting a transport policy for a bearer of a session in a communications system (100) A transport policy requesting node (500) according to the invention comprises an event handling mechanism (505) adapted to detect a triggering event triggering the selection of a transport policy for the bearer of a service; a transport policy selection mechanism (525) adapted to select a transport policy and transmit a policy request indicative of the transport policy to a policy decision function, and a context information handling mechanism (515, 520) adapted to receive information relating to a context relevant to the service. The context information can be used as a trigger for the selection of a transport policy, and/or as a basis for the selection of a transport policy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling user services in a communication network with a plurality of terminal users. An initiating user terminal (200) executes a group discovery process with the terminals (202) to form a user group. Capabilities are exchanged with the terminals, including at least one of: functional resources, available services, equipment information, applications or data programs, and current traffic or connection characteristics When a group service request (R) is received from a user terminal (D) in the group, functions and actions required for the requested service are assigned to functional resources in the terminals based on the exchanged terminal capabilities. The requested group service can then be consumed by means of these functional resources without involving an operator controlled group management server.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in a router of an IP network, for providing a relevant and expected service level for a first subscriber (A) in a peer-to-peer session with a second subscriber (B). When a session setup message (PATH) sent from the first subscriber is received (2:2) at the router, a required service level is detected from a service level indicator in the received message, and a service level definition of an operator of the first subscriber is obtained (2:3) for interpreting the service level indicator. Communication resources required for data transmission during the session are determined (2:4) according to the detected service level as interpreted by the service level definition. The determined communication resources are then booked (2:4) in the router, and the session setup message is forwarded (2:7) to a next hop node in the transmission path towards the second subscriber.

Abstract: A technique for providing a service availability indication to a user terminal is described. In a method realization, the technique comprises providing a data structure representative of user terminals and of inter-terminal relationships derived from one or more communication parameters pertaining to communications between the user terminals. Additionally, for at least some of the user terminals service utilization information for each of a plurality of services is provided. The technique further includes selecting, for at least one user terminal and from the plurality of services, a service not used by the at least one user terminal, wherein the service selection is based on the service utilization information provided for user terminals having a predefined association with the at least one user terminal as determined by the inter-terminal relationships, and sending a message indicative of the selected service to the at least one user terminal.

Abstract: A method for operating a system to provide temporal context for recommending items for consumption by a user device is described. The method comprises maintaining a record of items consumed by the user device or a group of devices within a reference period, together with the time of consumption of each item, and a content descriptor associated with each item. Temporal consumption periods are identified within the reference period, each consumption period spanning the consumption of one or more items with similar content descriptors, and each consumption period is associated with its respective content descriptor. An aggregated list is created of consumption periods recorded over a plurality of reference periods. Clusters of similar consumption periods are identified in the aggregated list, and recurring temporal patterns for user device behavior are identified in each cluster.

Abstract: A technique for providing a service availability indication to a user terminal is described. In a method realization, the technique comprises providing a data structure representative of user terminals and of inter-terminal relationships derived from one or more communication parameters pertaining to communications between the user terminals. Additionally, for at least some of the user terminals service utilization information for each of a plurality of services is provided. The technique further includes selecting, for at least one user terminal and from the plurality of services, a service not used by the at least one user terminal, wherein the service selection is based on the service utilization information provided for user terminals having a predefined association with the at least one user terminal as determined by the inter-terminal relationships, and sending a message indicative of the selected service to the at least one user terminal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in a router (200) of an IP network, for providing a relevant and expected service level for a first subscriber (A) in a peer-to-peer session with a second subscriber (B). When a session setup message (PATH) sent from the first subscriber is received (2:2) at the router, a required service level is detected from a service level indicator in the received message, and a service level definition of an operator of the first subscriber is obtained (2:3) for interpreting the service level indicator. Communication resources required for data transmission during the session are determined (2:4) according to the detected service level as interpreted by the service level definition. The determined communication resources are then booked (2:4) in the router, and the session setup message is forwarded (2:7) to a next hop node in the transmission path towards the second subscriber.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses for controlling a peer-to-peer communication involving media communication between a subscriber (A) and one or more opposite peers (B, C, D). When a policy node (300) detects that the peer-to-peer communication is activated for the subscriber, session parameters are determined (3:4) for the media communication based on predefined peer-to-peer service rules configured (3:1) at the policy node. The session parameters are then implemented (3:6) in an access gateway (304) that controls network resources for the media communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for offering a service to at least one client in a communication network for a specific client context, by means of a service provisioning unit. A history of client activities involving service usage in associated client contexts, is recorded in an activity database. Service templates are composed for associated client contexts based on the recorded history of client activities. When a context detector detects that the specific client context prevails, a service configurator selects a service template for the detected client context and configures a customised service from the selected service template. The customised service can then be offered to the at least one client.

Abstract: A recommendation apparatus for determining, for a user, a set of one or more recommended paths through an information space in response to receiving from the user a path request message. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the path recommender apparatus determines a recommended path by analyzing a set of paths, where each path in the set was traversed by a person who is in a “social graph” belonging to the user (e.g., each path in the set was traversed by one of the user's Facebook friends). In this way, paths can be recommended to the user based on paths that are popular with the user's friends.

Abstract: Application servers and methods of operating the same are provided for generating a personalized recommendation of items to a first user. An updated rating value N(t) of an initial rating value N(0) is determined for each rated item based on an age of each rating. The updated rating value N(t) is based on a difference between the value of the initial rating N(0) and a neutral rating value R, and on a predetermined half-life of the ratings. The updated rating value N(t) converges towards the neutral rating value R with an increase in the age t for each rating.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and arrangements for Policy Decision Point discovery in a roaming or handover scenario in an IP network (IN) comprising a plurality of network elements. The invention introduces a Re-direct Policy Decision (RPDF) Function which can deliver addresses to PDPs associated to a certain Mobile Terminal. The RPDF comprises a memory for storing addresses (APDPA, SPDPA1) of Policy Decision Points and Mobile Terminals. The RPDF makes it possible for a network element, e.g. an application function, a policy enforcement point or another policy decision point, to find a Policy Decision Point associated to the Mobile Terminal.