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, session managing node and arrangement for providing a network service address of at least one network service of a first operator IMS network to a third party service provider (3PSP) are disclosed, wherein the 3PSP has no business agreement with the first operator. A first application of a mobile station communicates with a second application via a first network, resulting in the setup of an IMS session between the mobile station and the 3PSP. A network service address of at least one network service, provided by the first operator IMS network, is inserted into a SIP message of the IMS session in a session managing node of the first operator IMS network and delivered to the 3PSP, where it is forwarded to the second application. If required, the second application may access the one or more network services via the first network, using the retrieved network address.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, an application node (104, 26, 300), a policy node (108, 24, 400), a system for service delivery control related to access technology types and in particular for service delivery control based on allowed access technology types. Based on radio access technology types as defined by an application node related to a service provider as communicated to the policy node over the inter node interface Rx (106), and an radio access technology type with which a mobile phone (102, 22) communicates on at the moment, a determination is made as to whether the radio access technology type with which the mobile phone communicate son is among the allowed radio access technology types or not. If it is not, the current access technology type may be updated such that there is a match between the allowed radio access technology type and the current radio access rate.

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 comprises methods and arrangement in an user equipment for receiving the address of the serving policy decision point and sending to the Home Agent a registration request comprising the local IP address of the user equipment so that the home agent can register the local IP address. The registration request will also comprise the address (ASPDP1) of the serving policy decision point (SPDP1) so that the Home Agent can forward the address of the serving policy decision point to the anchor Policy Decision Point and so that the anchor Policy Decision Point can contact the serving policy decision point by using said address of the serving Policy Decision Point.

Abstract: A method, session managing node and arrangement for providing a network service address of at least one network service of a first operator IMS network to a third party service provider (3PSP) are disclosed, wherein the 3PSP has no business agreement with the first operator. A first application of a mobile station communicates with a second application via a first network, resulting in the setup of an IMS session between the mobile station and the 3PSP. A network service address of at least one network service, provided by the first operator IMS network, is inserted into a SIP message of the IMS session in a session managing node of the first operator IMS network and delivered to the 3PSP, where it is forwarded to the second application. If required, the second application may access the one or more network services via the first network, using the retrieved network address.

Abstract: A method, a session managing node and an arrangement for providing a network-service address of at least one network-service of an IMS network (401) of a first operator to a third party service provider (403), wherein the third party service provider has no business agreement with the first operator. A first application (404) of a mobile station is communicating with a second application (405) via a first network (406), resulting in the set-up of an IMS-session, between the mobile station and the third party service provider. A network-service address of at least one network-service, provided by the IMS network of the first operator, is inserted into a SIP message of the IMS-session in a session managing node (600) of the IMS network of the first operator and delivered to the third party service provider, where it is forwarded to the second application. If required, the second application may access the one or more network-services via the first network, using the retrieved network-address.

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 authentication function, e.g. an AAA-server, receives the address (ASPDP1) of the serving Policy Decision Point (SPDP1) associated to the user equipment, and stores the address of the serving policy decision point together with the local address of the user equipment. The authentication function sends the address of the serving policy Decision Point to the Home Agent so that the Home Agent can forward the address of the serving policy decision point to the anchor Policy Decision Point and so that the anchor Policy Decision Point can contact the serving policy decision point by using said address of the serving Policy Decision Point.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in a service assurance module for controlling service level agreements for communication services in a mobile services access network. A network performance rule is created for a service level agreement, and is based on an associated performance indicator indicating the current network performance with respect to the fulfillment of the service level agreement. The performance indicator is then monitored, and the network performance rule is evaluated on a regular basis based on the performance indicator. If the network performance rule is not satisfied, an agreement violation is registered and/or measures are taken to improve the network performance.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for establishing a packet-switched multimedia session for a mobile terminal (A) in communication with another party (B), wherein a primary PDP (Packet Data Protocol) context has been activated in a mobile network for the mobile terminal. Information on the forthcoming session is received which has been negotiated and agreed between the communicating parties. It is then determined whether any network resources providing a required QoS are needed for the session, and whether a secondary PDP context is to be activated for the mobile terminal and the forthcoming session. If network resources are needed and a secondary PDP context is to be activated, the activation of said secondary PDP context is triggered.

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 authentication function, e.g. an AAA-server, receives the address (ASPDP1) of the serving Policy Decision Point (SPDP1) associated to the user equipment, and stores the address of the serving policy decision point together with the local address of the user equipment. The authentication function sends the address of the serving policy Decision Point to the Home Agent so that the Home Agent can forward the address of the serving policy decision point to the anchor Policy Decision Point and so that the anchor Policy Decision Point can contact the serving policy decision point by using said address of the serving Policy Decision Point.

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, a session managing node and an arrangement for providing a network-service address of at least one network-service of an IMS network (401) of a first operator to a third party service provider (403), wherein the third party service provider has no business agreement with the first operator. A first application (404) of a mobile station is communicating with a second application (405) via a first network (406), resulting in the set-up of an IMS-session, between the mobile station and the third party service provider. A network-service address of at least one network-service, provided by the IMS network of the first operator, is inserted into a SIP message of the IMS-session in a session managing node (600) of the IMS network of the first operator and delivered to the third party service provider, where it is forwarded to the second application. If required, the second application may access the one or more network-services via the first network, using the retrieved network-address.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, an application node (104, 26, 300), a policy node (108, 24, 400), a system for service delivery control related to access technology types and in particular for service delivery control based on allowed access technology types. Based on radio access technology types as defined by an application node related to a service provider as communicated to the policy node over the inter node interface Rx (106), and an radio access technology type with which a mobile phone (102, 22) communicates on at the moment, a determination is made as to whether the radio access technology type with which the mobile phone communicate son is among the allowed radio access technology types or not. If it is not, the current access technology type may be updated such that there is a match between the allowed radio access technology type and the current radio access rate.

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 comprises methods and arrangement in an user equipment for receiving the address of the serving policy decision point and sending to the Home Agent a registration request comprising the local IP address of the user equipment so that the home agent can register the local IP address. The registration request will also comprise the address (ASPDP1) of the serving policy decision point (SPDP1) so that the Home Agent can forward the address of the serving policy decision point to the anchor Policy Decision Point and so that the anchor Policy Decision Point can contact the serving policy decision point by using said address of the serving Policy Decision Point.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in a service assurance module for controlling service level agreements for communication services in a mobile services access network. A network performance rule is created for a service level agreement, and is based on an associated performance indicator indicating the current network performance with respect to the fulfillment of the service level agreement. The performance indicator is then monitored, and the network performance rule is evaluated on a regular basis based on the performance indicator. If the network performance rule is not satisfied, an agreement violation is registered and/or measures are' taken to improve the network performance.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for establishing a packet-switched multimedia session for a mobile terminal (A) in communication with another party (B), wherein a primary PDP (Packet Data Protocol) context has been activated in a mobile network for the mobile terminal. Information on the forthcoming session is received which has been negotiated and agreed between the communicating parties. It is then determined whether any network resources providing a required QoS are needed for the session, and whether a secondary PDP context is to be activated for the mobile terminal and the forthcoming session. If network resources are needed and a secondary PDP context is to be activated, the activation of said secondary PDP context is triggered.

Abstract: A method and system in a heterogeneous environment, capable of locating at least one optimal access area or point for supporting one or more access technologies requested by the user. The determination of the optimal access areas or points is based in part on the location of the device, the specified user preferences, service/application requirements and the capabilities of available access network connections. The optimal access points, and alternative options, are mapped in accordance with the resulting location, combined requirements and service/application requirements of the communication device. This mapping and other information/recommendations related to the access points are then provided to the communication device for action by the user.

Abstract: In a multimedia environment, end-users are provided with the ability to effectively access, manipulate and share one or more multimedia objects, or select portions thereof, independent of the terminal and/or network capabilities that are associated with the terminals employed by each end-user. This may be accomplished, for example, by identifying a set of multimedia data that is stored in a multimedia database that is accessible by each end-user. The set of multimedia data is then adapted in accordance with an information adaptation service and modified in accordance with a transcoder/scalability service. The functions provided by both of these services are based on a number of user preferences and based on a number of terminal and communication (e.g., network) connection capabilities associated with the terminals corresponding to each of the end-users that are to have access to the modified set of multimedia data.

Abstract: In a transcoder means are provided for implementing a simultaneous change in rate and in resolution. In a preferred embodiment means are also provided for transferring incoming motion vectors or the like directly to the output encoder. The transcoder architecture is both suited for implementation in the spatial as well as in the frequency domain.

Abstract: In a multimedia environment, end-users are provided with the ability to effectively access, manipulate and share one or more multimedia objects, or select portions thereof, independent of the terminal and/or network capabilities that are associated with the terminals employed by each end-user. This may be accomplished, for example, by identifying a set of multimedia data that is stored in a multimedia database that is accessible by each end-user. The set of multimedia data is then adapted in accordance with an information adaptation service and modified in accordance with a transcoder/scalability service. The functions provided by both of these services are based on a number of user preferences and based on a number of terminal and communication (e.g., network) connection capabilities associated with the terminals corresponding to each of the end-users that are to have access to the modified set of multimedia data.