Abstract: Methods and apparatus for congestion mitigation in telecommunications networks. In an exemplary apparatus, a network node (314, 500; 302, 400) in a telecommunications network is provided, the node comprising: a receiver (504; 404) configured to receive congestion data identifying a congested area (A-H) and one or more user equipments, UE, (a-j; 312) affected by the congested area; an alternative network determiner (516; 420) configured to determine one or more switchable UEs, amongst the identified UEs, that may be offloaded to an alternative access network (1-3); and a network switcher (518; 422) configured to control a transmitter (502; 402) to transmit an instruction for one or more of the switchable UEs to switch to an alternative access network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for congestion mitigation in telecommunications networks. In an exemplary apparatus, a network node (314, 500; 302, 400) in a telecommunications network is provided, the node comprising: a receiver (504; 404) configured to receive congestion data identifying a congested area (A-H) and one or more user equipments, UE, (a-j; 312) affected by the congested area; an alternative network determiner (516; 420) configured to determine one or more switchable UEs, amongst the identified UEs, that may be offloaded to an alternative access network (1-3); and a network switcher (518; 422) configured to control a transmitter (502; 402) to transmit an instruction for one or more of the switchable UEs to switch to an alternative 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: 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: 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: 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.