Abstract: A technique for generating or updating a user profile based on a packet flow in a communications network from a user terminal to a destination address is described. A method implementation of this technique comprises receiving, by a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), at least one item of information indicative of at least one of the destination address and a service provided at the destination address to the user terminal. Based on this item of information, a user profile for a user associated with the user terminal is generated or updated.

Abstract: A policy and charging control method enables a privileged user of a multiple-user subscription of a telecommunication network to cause a change to a policy or charging applicable to a non-privileged user of the subscription. The method comprises: (i) accessing (s10), by a communication terminal of the non-privileged user, an authorization control manager (ACM) function, to request a change of policy or charging applicable to the non-privileged user; (ii) transmitting (s20), by the ACM function to a PCRF, the requested change; (iii) notifying (s30) a communication terminal of the privileged user, by the PCRF, of the requested change; and (iv) indicating (s40), by the communication terminal of the privileged user, to the ACM function, at least one of: (a) whether the requested change is approved, and (b) to which extent the requested change is approved. The invention also relates to network nodes, computer programs, and computer program products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting fraudulent traffic associated with a user of a telecommunications system. A system comprises a monitoring network node comprising a traffic monitor configured to monitor traffic transmitted to or from a user in the telecommunications system, a fraud detector configured to apply to the monitored traffic a fraud profile associated with the user to determine whether the monitored traffic comprises fraudulent traffic, a transmitter configured to transmit data to a receiver of a profiling network node notifying whether the monitored traffic comprises fraudulent traffic. The profiling network node further comprises a fraud profiler configured to determine an updated fraud profile associated with the user based at least on the received data and a transmitter configured to transmit data identifying the updated fraud profile to one or both of a receiver of a subscription profile repository and a receiver of the monitoring network node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the implementation of policy and/or charging control for an IP Connectivity Access Network session established for a user, that enables the user to select one of several Quality or Service levels, and an associated charging rate, that can be provided to the user for an identified traffic type that is being sent over the IP-CAN session. A set of Policy and Charging Control rules that apply the selected QoS level and the associated charging rate are then generated and applied to traffic of the identified type that is sent over the IP-CAN session.

Abstract: A Policy and Charging Rules Function server (PCRF) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture for deciding control rules applicable to user traffic flows to be inspected, in accordance with applicable telecommunication protocols for each traffic flow, by a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function server with Deep Packet inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of the PCC Architecture. The PCRF includes a database having a list of protocols used in the user tialYtc flow s The PCRF includes an interface unit which receives a query from the PCEF-DPI about applicable control rules for an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session established for a user at the PCEF-DPI The PCRF includes a processing unit which sends the applicable control rules for the IP-CAN session and the list of protocols through the interface unit to the PCEF-DPI. A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, server having Deep Packet Inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture.

Abstract: A method for classifying packets includes determining an execution indication indicating at least one amongst a service and application being executed on a user terminal and generating uplink packets; determining a marker on the basis of PCC rules available at the user terminal and at least one execution indication, the marker for identifying at least one of a service and an application associated to uplink packets; transmitting the marker and the uplink packets, to a PCEF network entity; determining an uplink classification, at the PCEF network entity, for received uplink packets based on the marker; storing, at said PCEF network entity, an association between information related to an uplink flow corresponding to the uplink packets and uplink classification; receiving, at said PCEF network entity, downlink packets corresponding to the uplink packets; determining a downlink classification, at the PCEF network entity, for received downlink packets based on the stored association.

Abstract: A policy and charging control method enables a privileged user of a multiple-user subscription of a telecommunication network to cause a change to a policy or charging applicable to a non-privileged user of the subscription. The method comprises: (i) accessing (s10), by a communication terminal of the non-privileged user, an authorization control manager (ACM) function, to request a change of policy or charging applicable to the non-privileged user; (ii) transmitting (s20), by the ACM function to a PCRF, the requested change; (iii) notifying (s30) a communication terminal of the privileged user, by the PCRF, of the requested change; and (iv) indicating (s40), by the communication terminal of the privileged user, to the ACM function, at least one of: (a) whether the requested change is approved, and (b) to which extent the requested change is approved. The invention also relates to network nodes, computer programs, and computer program products.

Abstract: A Parental Control Manager “PCM” server of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture with the Parental Control Manager “PCM” server, a Policy Control Enforcement Function device with Deep Packet Inspection capabilities “PCEF-DPI device”, and a Policy Control Rules Function “PCRF” server. The PCM server includes a user interface unit for receiving a logon from a user, and for receiving from the user monitoring criteria on Internet traffic types to be monitored for the user, and corresponding actions to be carried out when any monitoring criteria fit a given Internet traffic type. The PCM server includes a network interface unit for submitting the monitoring criteria and corresponding actions received from the user to a PCRF server. A PCRF server of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, a PCEF-DPI device, and the PCRF server. A PCEF-DPI device of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, the PCEF-DPI device, and a PCRF server.

Abstract: In a mobile network comprising a gateway for establishing a packet data connection with a user equipment, user communication is implemented on the basis of a client interface script to be executed in a browser application of the user equipment. For this purpose, the gateway receives data destined to the browser application of the user equipment. The gateway modifies the received data to provide the user equipment with the client interface script, e.g., by including an identifier of the client interface script in to the data. The gateway sends the modified data to the user equipment, thereby enabling the browser application of the user equipment to execute the client interface script. Execution of the client interface script in the browser application may for example implement a user dialogue for customizing functions of the mobile network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the implementation of policy and/or charging control for an IP Connectivity Access Network session established for a user, that enables the user to select one of several Quality or Service levels, and an associated charging rate, that can be provided to the user for an identified traffic type that is being sent over the IP-CAN session. A set of Policy and Charging Control rules that apply the selected QoS level and the associated charging rate are then generated and applied to traffic of the identified type that is sent over the IP-CAN session.

Abstract: A Policy and Charging Rules Function server (PCRF) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture for deciding control rules applicable to user traffic flows to be inspected, in accordance with applicable telecommunication protocols for each traffic flow, by a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function server with Deep Packet inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of the PCC Architecture. The PCRF includes a database having a list of protocols used in the user tialYtc flow s The PCRF includes an interface unit which receives a query from the PCEF-DPI about applicable control rules for an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session established for a user at the PCEF-DPI The PCRF includes a processing unit which sends the applicable control rules for the IP-CAN session and the list of protocols through the interface unit to the PCEF-DPI. A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, server having Deep Packet Inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture.

Abstract: A technique for generating or updating a user profile based on a packet flow in a communications network from a user terminal to a destination address is described. A method implementation of this technique comprises receiving, by a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), at least one item of information indicative of at least one of the destination address and a service provided at the destination address to the user terminal. Based on this item of information, a user profile for a user associated with the user terminal is generated or updated.

Abstract: A Parental Control Manager “PCM” server of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture with the Parental Control Manager “PCM” server, a Policy Control Enforcement Function device with Deep Packet Inspection capabilities “PCEF-DPI device”, and a Policy Control Rules Function “PCRF” server. The PCM server includes a user interface unit for receiving a logon from a user, and for receiving from the user monitoring criteria on Internet traffic types to be monitored for the user, and corresponding actions to be carried out when any monitoring criteria fit a given Internet traffic type. The PCM server includes a network interface unit for submitting the monitoring criteria and corresponding actions received from the user to a PCRF server. A PCRF server of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, a PCEF-DPI device, and the PCRF server. A PCEF-DPI device of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, the PCEF-DPI device, and a PCRF server.

Abstract: In a policy and charging control method, a network node including a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) establishes a user plane session with a user and obtains a profile of the user. Upon receiving a packet, the PCEF determines, through a deep inspection of the packet, whether the packet indicates that content of a particular type, referred to as original content, is to be received by the user. If it is determined that the packet indicates that the original content of the particular type is to be received by the user, the PCEF obtains, based on the user profile and the particular type of the original content, information regarding operations to be performed in relation to the original content. The PCEF then performs the operations in relation to the original content. The invention further relates to network nodes implementing a PCEF and to computer programs.