Abstract: Apparatus configured to operate as a WAC of a WAN. The apparatus comprises a database unit, a transceiver, and a resource request processor. The database unit maintains a database of a plurality of user equipment (UEs) connected to the WAN, resource usage by each of the UEs, and available resources of the WAN. The transceiver communicates with a gateway between the WAN and a telecommunications network. The resource request processor receives a resource request from the gateway, the resource request identifying a UE and indicating a required change in resource usage; and determines whether the required change in resource usage is possible based on the available resources of the WAN. If the required change in resource usage is possible, the resource request processor updates database records for resource usage by the UE and available resources of the WAN and sends a resource response to the gateway.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to operate as a WAC of a WAN. The apparatus comprises a database unit, a transceiver, and a resource request processor. The database unit maintains a database of a plurality of user equipment (UEs) connected to the WAN, resource usage by each of the UEs, and available resources of the WAN. The transceiver communicates with a gateway between the WAN and a telecommunications network. The resource request processor receives a resource request from the gateway, the resource request identifying a UE and indicating a required change in resource usage; and determines whether the required change in resource usage is possible based on the available resources of the WAN. If the required change in resource usage is possible, the resource request processor updates database records for resource usage by the UE and available resources of the WAN and sends a resource response to the gateway.

Abstract: Real-Time Traffic Steering (RTTS) techniques are used to steer multi-mode user terminals between different communication networks employing different radio access technologies. In one exemplary embodiment, the real-time traffic steering techniques are applied to steer a user terminal between a cellular network and a WLAN. According to one aspect of the disclosure, AAA signaling between the WLAN and AAA server is modified to serve as a transport mechanism to carry information supporting RTTS. The steering controller may send access control attributes to an access control node in the first communication network to control access by the user terminal to the first communication network.

Abstract: Real-Time Traffic Steering (RTTS) techniques are used to steer multi-mode user terminals between different communication networks employing different radio access technologies. In one exemplary embodiment, the real-time traffic steering techniques are applied to steer a user terminal between a cellular network and a WLAN. According to one aspect of the disclosure, AAA signaling between the WLAN and AAA server is modified to support RTTS. In general, the AAA signaling between the WLAN and AAA server is modified to serve as a transport mechanism to carry information supporting RTTS. The access control node in the first communication network may use the modified AAA signaling send performance data or other network selection data to the steering controller and may receive access control commands from the steering controller embedded in AAA signaling.