Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a service function chain of a mobile telecommunications network. A method for implementing a charging function in a service function chain of a mobile telecommunications network in which the service function chain includes a plurality of service functions in which each service function is configured to apply one or more services associated with a user packet traversing the service function chain towards a destination, and is configured to provide charging data related to the service function. A receiver receives collective charging data provided by the plurality of service functions, the collective charging data includes charging data for a plurality of services associated with a user packet. A charging controller controls charging for the plurality of services associated with the user packet based on the collective charging data.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, a method is carried out for assisting a first user terminal (1001) in benefiting from a data connectivity. A second user terminal (1002) indicates (s10), to a connectivity donation server (200), that it is willing to sponsor data connectivity of the first terminal (1001) and that, restriction(s) are imposed on how the sponsored connectivity can be used. The restriction(s) comprise: i) where the first terminal (1001) is to be located for benefiting from the sponsored connectivity; and ii) which access network(s) the first terminal (1001) has to connect to for benefiting from the sponsored connectivity. The connectivity donation server (200) then transmits a token to the second terminal (1002), which in turn transmits (s30) it to the first terminal (1001) using proximity-based means. Terminals, network nodes, and computer programs for use in the above method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes defining at an ANDSF server an ANDSF rule that includes a validity condition to be fulfilled. The validity condition includes a validity location area and a validity trajectory towards the validity location area, and the validity trajectory includes a list with one or more previous location areas. The method also includes transmitting the ANDSF rule from the ANDSF server to an ANDSF client of the UE; tracking, at the ANDSF client, a historical trajectory for the UE by storing a list with one or more successive location areas where the UE has been located; and upon matching a current location of the UE with the validity location area, and the tracked historical trajectory for the UE with the validity trajectory, determining that the validity condition is fulfilled and applying the ANDSF rule at the ANDSF client.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, a method is carried out for assisting a user terminal (100) in connecting to an access network. The user terminal (100) obtains (s20) information (50), i.e. “tag information”, from an electronic tag or a visual tag. The user terminal (100) transmits (s40), to a network node hosting an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF), i.e. to an “ANDSF node” (200), the tag information (50). The ANDSF node (200) then transmits (s60), to the user terminal (100), credentials (70) for allowing the user terminal (100) to connect to said access network. The invention also relates to methods carried out by a user terminal (100), to methods carried out by an ANDSF node (200), to user terminals (100), to ANDSF nodes (200), to computer programs, and to computer program products for assisting user terminals (100) in connecting to an access network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a service function chain of a mobile telecommunications network. A method for implementing a charging function in a service function chain of a mobile telecommunications network in which the service function chain includes a plurality of service functions in which each service function is configured to apply one or more services associated with a user packet traversing the service function chain towards a destination, and is configured to provide charging data related to the service function. A receiver receives collective charging data provided by the plurality of service functions, the collective charging data includes charging data for a plurality of services associated with a user packet. A charging controller controls charging for the plurality of services associated with the user packet based on the collective charging data.

Abstract: The present invention faces the issue of selectively preventing successive handovers for a UE and provides for a method of selecting an access network for a UE amongst a plurality of access networks. This method comprises defining at an ANDSF server an ANDSF rule for selection of an access network between a first and a second access network, the ANDSF rule comprising a validity condition to be fulfilled for the ANDSF rule to be applied, the validity condition comprising a validity location area and a validity trajectory towards the validity location area, and the validity trajectory comprising a list with one or more previous location areas.

Abstract: A device manager (200; 300; 400) and associated method for controlling one or more devices (203a-c; 403a-c). The device manager comprises a receiver (304) configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors (202a-d; 402a-d). The device manager comprises a device controller (314) configured to determine device control data for controlling the operation of one or more devices based on the received sensor data and one or more policy rules stored in a memory (306). The device manager comprises a transmitter (302) configured to transmit the device control data to the one or more devices. The receiver is further configured to receive, from a network node (212, 214; 412) of a telecommunications network, user equipment, UE, data relating to one or more UEs (426a-c) associated with the one or more devices. The device controller is further configured to determine the device control data based on the received UE data.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, a method is carried out for assisting a first user terminal (1001) in benefiting from a data connectivity. A second user terminal (1002) indicates (s10), to a connectivity donation server (200), that it is willing to sponsor data connectivity of the first terminal (1001) and that, restriction(s) are imposed on how the sponsored connectivity can be used. The restriction(s) comprise: i) where the first terminal (1001) is to be located for benefiting from the sponsored connectivity; and ii) which access network(s) the first terminal (1001) has to connect to for benefiting from the sponsored connectivity. The connectivity donation server (200) then transmits a token to the second terminal (1002), which in turn transmits (s30) it to the first terminal (1001) using proximity-based means. Terminals, network nodes, and computer programs for use in the above method are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of ensuring that an identifier for a subscriber of an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) is available to a third-party service provider that can provide a service to the subscriber. The method comprises, at an application server of the third-party service provider, receiving a service request message from the subscriber, the service request message requesting access to the service, obtaining a source IP address and source port number from the service request message, generating an identity request message including the source IP address and source port number, the identity request message requesting a subscriber identifier associated with the source IP address and source port number, sending the identity request message to a node of the IP-CAN, and receiving an identity response message from the node of the IP-CAN, the response including a subscriber identifier that the IP-CAN associates with the subscriber.

Abstract: A system for generating by an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function, ANDSF, access network discovery information, ANDI, for transmission to a User Equipment, UE, of a network subscriber. The system includes an ANDI repository storing, for each of a plurality of access networks, an ANDI data entry having ANDI for the respective access network. An ANDI generating policy repository stores a plurality of ANDI generating policies. An association component is configured to associate each of a plurality of network subscriber identifiers with at least one of the ANDI generating policies. An identification component is configured to identify the at least one ANDI generating policy corresponding to a network subscriber identifier associated with the UE. An ANDSF component is configured to apply the at least one identified policy to the ANDI data entries stored in the ANDI repository to generate the ANDI for transmission to the UE.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, a method is carried out for assisting a user terminal (100) in connecting to an access network. The user terminal (100) obtains (s20) information (50), i.e. “tag information”, from an electronic tag or a visual tag. The user terminal (100) transmits (s40), to a network node hosting an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF), i.e. to an “ANDSF node” (200), the tag information (50). The ANDSF node (200) then transmits (s60), to the user terminal (100), credentials (70) for allowing the user terminal (100) to connect to said access network. The invention also relates to methods carried out by a user terminal (100), to methods carried out by an ANDSF node (200), to user terminals (100), to ANDSF nodes (200), to computer programs, and to computer program products for assisting user terminals (100) in connecting to an access network.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mitigating service interruption that occurs due to a change in the IP address of a UE that is receiving a service under control of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) architecture. According to these methods, a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) of the PCC architecture is configured to determine when a change in the IP address of the UE is imminent, and to take temporary actions to mitigate the service interruption perceived by the user of the UE. The PCRF is also configured to trigger a notifications intended for at least one of the UE and any Application Function (AF) that is providing the service to the UE that a change in the IP address of the UE will occur imminently. The UE and AF are therefore also able to anticipate the change in the IP address and take action to mitigate the service interruption perceived by the user prior to the change in the IP address taking place.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving a signal indicating that a first access network is unable to provide a desired quality level for data communication with the terminal; determining, in response to receiving a signal indicating that the first access network is unable to provide the desired quality level of data communication with the terminal, at least one further access network for providing a data flow of the data communication with the terminal; generating a set of policies for the data communication, the set comprising a plurality of policies wherein each policy specifies one or more access networks for one or more data flows of the data communication, and at least one policy specifies the at least one further access network for providing one or more data flows to the terminal; and providing the generated set of policies to the terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a method of ensuring that an identifier for a subscriber of an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) is available to a third-party service provider that can provide a service to the subscriber. The method comprises, at an application server of the third-party service provider, receiving a service request message from the subscriber, the service request message requesting access to the service, obtaining a source IP address and source port number from the service request message, generating an identity request message including the source IP address and source port number, the identity request message requesting a subscriber identifier associated with the source IP address and source port number, sending the identity request message to a node of the IP-CAN, and receiving an identity response message from the node of the IP-CAN, the response including a subscriber identifier that the IP-CAN associates with the subscriber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling and distributing data traffic among neighboring access networks within a geographic area. Subscribers may be given different priorities. Requests of services by subscribers may be prioritized. Data traffic within a congested access network may be offloaded to alternate access networks based on criteria such as service types and Quality of Service requirements associated with the data traffic, subscriber priorities associated with the subscribers, software and hardware capabilities associated with the user terminals of the subscribers, and resource availabilities in the alternate access networks.

Abstract: A PUE in communication with an ANDSF server through an access network includes a network interface unit of the PUE from which a registration request is sent to the ANDSF server through the access network and which receives a successful authentication result and a set of configuration instructions from the ANDSF server. The PUE includes a processing unit of the PUE which determines one or more observation triggers from the set of configuration instructions. Upon fulfillment of the observation trigger, the processing unit activates one or more interfaces supported by the PUE, which the set of configuration instructions requires to be monitored. The processing unit determines consolidated areas, wherein each consolidated area includes those geographical points with given network characteristics for one or more accessible networks. The consolidated areas data are stored in the memory and submitted by the network interface unit to the ANDSF server through the access network.

Abstract: A system for generating by an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function, ANDSF, access network discovery information, ANDI, for transmission to a User Equipment, UE, of a network subscriber. The system includes an ANDI repository storing, for each of a plurality of access networks, an ANDI data entry having ANDI for the respective access network. An ANDI generating policy repository stores a plurality of ANDI generating policies. An association component is configured to associate each of a plurality of network subscriber identifiers with at least one of the ANDI generating policies. An identification component is configured to identify the at least one ANDI generating policy corresponding to a network subscriber identifier associated with the UE. An ANDSF component is configured to apply the at least one identified policy to the ANDI data entries stored in the ANDI repository to generate the ANDI for transmission to the UE.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a telecommunications network to determine a language to be used for a message that is to be sent to a terminal of a user of the network. The method comprises the steps of inspecting packets sent over the network to and/or from a terminal used by the user in order to identify one or more languages specified within application layer protocol information contained in the packets; and selecting an identified language as the language that is to be used for the message.

Abstract: An access network connection controller is disclosed for ordering a mobile terminal to switch from a connection to a first access network to a connection to a second access network in order to ensure that a good connection to the mobile terminal is maintained when the mobile terminal enters an area in which connection to the first access network may be restricted and the second access network may be beneficial. The access network connection controller is operable to receive movement information representative of the movement of the mobile terminal connected to a first access network; to determine from the movement information whether the mobile terminal is approaching a restricted area wherein connection to a second access network may be beneficial and to generate a command ordering the switching of the connection mobile terminal from the first access network to the second access network before the mobile terminal enters the restricted area.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mitigating service interruption that occurs due to a change in the IP address of a UE that is receiving a service under control of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) architecture. According to these methods, a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) of the PCC architecture is configured to determine when a change in the IP address of the UE is imminent, and to take temporary actions to mitigate the service interruption perceived by the user of the UE. The PCRF is also configured to trigger a notifications intended for at least one of the UE and any Application Function (AF) that is providing the service to the UE that a change in the IP address of the UE will occur imminently. The UE and AF are therefore also able to anticipate the change in the IP address and take action to mitigate the service interruption perceived by the user prior to the change in the IP address taking place.