Abstract: A method of reserving credit for a mobile subscriber in respect of an IP multimedia service. The method comprises, following initial registration of the subscriber to the IP Multimedia service but prior to invocation of an IP Multimedia service, using the early session establishment procedure to reserve a credit amount at a charging control node and to notify an IP Multimedia Serving Element of the credit reservation, whereupon, at invocation of said IP multimedia service, the IP Multimedia Serving Element is able to proceed immediately with the session establishment.

Abstract: A method of transporting image or video information between end user terminals via a packet switched network whilst a circuit switched connection is established between the end users includes establishing a circuit switched connection between a plurality of end user terminals for carrying voice traffic. The method also includes using the. Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP) to encapsulate image or video information transmitted between end user terminals via a packet switched network, where MSRP related traffic is routed between said end user terminals via one or more MSRP enabled nodes. Additionally, the method includes installing service policies into the or at least one MSRP node from a session initiation protocol (SIP) application server (AS) located in the control-plane of an IMS network and checking multimedia service requests against the installed policies to control end user terminal access to certain packet based services.

Abstract: Method, devices and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).

Abstract: A method of reserving credit for a mobile subscriber in respect of an IP multimedia service. The method comprises, following initial registration of the subscriber to the IP Multimedia service but prior to invocation of an IP Multimedia service, using the early session establishment procedure to reserve a credit amount at a charging control node and to notify an IP Multimedia Serving Element of the credit reservation, whereupon, at invocation of said IP multimedia service, the IP Multimedia Serving Element is able to proceed immediately with the session establishment.

Abstract: A method of processing service related accounting requests at an Online Charging System of an IP Multimedia Subsystem. The method comprises receiving a service related accounting request from an IP Multimedia Subsystem Serving Element, the request containing an identification of the chargeable events measuring methods supported by the Serving Element. A charging model appropriate to the chosen service is then selected, and one or more of the supported measuring methods are selected on the basis of the selected charging model. An amount of granted service units for the or each selected measuring method are determined and an accounting response, containing the amount(s) of granted service units and an identification of the corresponding measuring method(s), sent to the Serving Element.

Abstract: A method of transporting information between end user terminals via a packet switched network whilst a circuit switched connection is established between the end users, the method comprising: using the Message Session Relay Protocol, MSRP, to encapsulate information transmitted between users.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of charging for a combinational multimedia service making use of circuit switched and packet switched services between participating user terminals and an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, responsible for setting-up and controlling packet switched sessions, the method comprising: sending packet switched data generated by a first of the terminals, from a gateway node of a packet switched access network to the or each other terminal via a routing node having an IP address/port-number known a priori; and configuring a charging function associated with said gateway node to zero-rate data destined for said fixed IP address/port-number.

Abstract: Method, devices and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).

Abstract: Method, devices, and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1), MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).

Abstract: Method, devices, and computer programs for routing a message to a first network server (MSC1) in a server pool (CNSP) of a mobile communication system are disclosed. The mobile communication system comprises a controller (BSC2) of an access network (AN) connectable to the first network server (MSC1) and at least one further network server (MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP), wherein service points are defined (S100) and one or more of the service points are allocated (S110) uniquely to each of the network servers (MSC1), MSC2) in the server pool (CNSP). At least one of the network servers (MSC1, MSC2) has allocated (S110) at least two of the service points. A temporary identity is assigned (S150) by the first network server (MSC1) to a mobile device (MS). The temporary identity includes a selected service point which is selected (S140) from the one or more service points allocated to the first network server (MSC1).