Abstract: A method for improving availability of a type of network element in a mobile network includes receiving a first message from a source network element at a first network element instance that belongs to a network element anycast set. The first message is addressed to an anycast address that is assigned to the network element anycast set. The first network element instance processes the first message and accesses an anycast set data store in relation to processing the first message. The method also includes receiving a second message from the source network element at a second network element instance that also belongs to the network element anycast set. The second message is also addressed to the anycast address and can be received when the first network element instance is unavailable. The second network element instance processes the second message and accesses the anycast set data store in relation thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an augmented Service Capability Exposure Function (A-SCEF). The A-SCEF may receive upstream or downstream traffic and direct or process that traffic in accordance with policy profiles. The policy profiles may be associated with various entities that may have interrelationships. The policy profiles may allow a network operator to better control multiple entities on the network while simplifying use of the network for the customers, such as those associated with a large number of internet of things (IOT) devices.

Abstract: A method for improving availability of a type of network element in a mobile network includes receiving a first message from a source network element at a first network element instance that belongs to a network element anycast set. The first message is addressed to an anycast address that is assigned to the network element anycast set. The first network element instance processes the first message and accesses an anycast set data store in relation to processing the first message. The method also includes receiving a second message from the source network element at a second network element instance that also belongs to the network element anycast set. The second message is also addressed to the anycast address and can be received when the first network element instance is unavailable. The second network element instance processes the second message and accesses the anycast set data store in relation thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of charging packets in a mobile network using a combined packet gateway (PGW) and serving gateway (SGW) which includes receiving a data packet; determining at least one of a rating group and a service rule associated with the data packet; and determining a state of a user device associated with the data packet. When the determined state of the user device comprises a connected state, the method includes charging the data packet, including updating an amount of credit in an account associated with the user device based on the at least one of the rating group and the service rule, and sending the data packet to an enodeB. When the determined state of the user device comprises an idle state, the method includes preventing delivery of the data packet to the enodeB such that the data packet is not charged.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for using Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the internet. The devices and methods may dynamically switch from using communication interfaces associated with Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) to communication interfaces that support greater amounts of bandwidth in response to detecting an increase in data traffic. The devices and methods may dynamically establish communication interfaces for transmitting data packets in response to determining that a data transfer rate for the data packets exceeds a threshold. The devices and methods may switch to the newly established communication interface for sending the data packets.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for using Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the internet. The devices and methods may dynamically switch from using communication interfaces associated with Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) to communication interfaces that support greater amounts of bandwidth in response to detecting an increase in data traffic. The devices and methods may dynamically establish communication interfaces for transmitting data packets in response to determining that a data transfer rate for the data packets exceeds a threshold. The devices and methods may switch to the newly established communication interface for sending the data packets.

Abstract: A system for storing and managing subscription information for a plurality of subscribers in a mobile communications network is provided. The system comprises a first database, a second database, and one or more processors. The processors are configured to receive a request relating to a subscriber, determine that the first database lacks a desired record relating to the subscriber, retrieve the desired record from the second database, write the retrieved desired record to the first database, and perform one or more functions related to the desired record according to the request. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are configured to predict a time of a potential occurrence of one or more future connections related to the plurality of subscribers and before the predicted time, copy one or more records related to the plurality of subscribers from the second database to the first database.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a selection module associated with a control plane node implementing CUPS functionality can identify a user plane element for assigning user plane functionalities based on static and/or dynamic selection criteria. Dynamic criteria can include, for example, load information, latency, and hardware acceleration support. In some embodiments, a control plane node can determine whether to implement a CUPS or a non-CUPS session. If a non-CUPS session is determined, the CUPS control plane node can assume user plane functionalities in addition to control plane functionalities.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of charging packets in a mobile network using a combined packet gateway (PGW) and serving gateway (SGW) which includes receiving a data packet; determining at least one of a rating group and a service rule associated with the data packet; and determining a state of a user device associated with the data packet. When the determined state of the user device comprises a connected state, the method includes charging the data packet, including updating an amount of credit in an account associated with the user device based on the at least one of the rating group and the service rule, and sending the data packet to an enodeB. When the determined state of the user device comprises an idle state, the method includes preventing delivery of the data packet to the enodeB such that the data packet is not charged.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an augmented Service Capability Exposure Function (A-SCEF). The A-SCEF may receive upstream or downstream traffic and direct or process that traffic in accordance with policy profiles. The policy profiles may be associated with various entities that may have interrelationships. The policy profiles may allow a network operator to better control multiple entities on the network while simplifying use of the network for the customers, such as those associated with a large number of internet of things (TOT) devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving efficiency in a mobile communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method for conserving network resources comprises releasing network resources related to a User Equipment (“UE”) session at one or more network nodes without notifying the UE. A subset of the session information that can be used to connect with the UE is stored at a network node. If data is received for the UE, the stored subset of information can be used to 1) establish network resources related to the UE that were previously released and 2) deliver the data to the UE. In another embodiment, shared data resources are granted to one or more subscribers associated with a Designated User Group (“DUG”). An online charging session is assigned to the DUG that identifies policy data for granting shared data resources to the Designated User Group.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a selection module associated with a control plane node implementing CUPS functionality can identify a user plane element for assigning user plane functionalities based on static and/or dynamic selection criteria. Dynamic criteria can include, for example, load information, latency, and hardware acceleration support. In some embodiments, a control plane node can determine whether to implement a CUPS or a non-CUPS session. If a non-CUPS session is determined, the CUPS control plane node can assume user plane functionalities in addition to control plane functionalities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving efficiency in a mobile communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method for conserving network resources comprises releasing network resources related to a User Equipment (“UE”) session at one or more network nodes without notifying the UE. A subset of the session information that can be used to connect with the UE is stored at a network node. If data is received for the UE, the stored subset of information can be used to 1) establish network resources related to the UE that were previously released and 2) deliver the data to the UE. In another embodiment, shared data resources are granted to one or more subscribers associated with a Designated User Group (“DUG”). An online charging session is assigned to the DUG that identifies policy data for granting shared data resources to the Designated User Group.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an augmented Service Capability Exposure Function (A-SCEF). The A-SCEF may receive upstream or downstream traffic and direct or process that traffic in accordance with policy profiles. The policy profiles may be associated with various entities that may have interrelationships. The policy profiles may allow a network operator to better control multiple entities on the network while simplifying use of the network for the customers, such as those associated with a large number of internet of things (IOT) devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing SMS communications such that an SMS-SC is bypassed in the communications include receiving, by an A-SCEF, at least one communication from an AS, the at least one communication including a data payload and a generic destination UE identifier, determining, by the A-SCEF, the at least one communication is associated with an SMS communication, creating, by the A-SCEF, a message including the data payload and a network-usable destination UE identifier, and providing, by the A-SCEF, the message to a MME such that it recognizes the message as an SMS communication and forwards the data payload to the UE as an SMS communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving efficiency in a mobile communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method granting data resources to one or more subscribers belonging to a group in a communications network comprises receiving a request to create an online charging session, wherein the request identifies a designated user group (“DUG”) associated with one or more subscribers. If the DUG is not associated with an existing online charging session, the DUG identifier can be used to request a new online charging session and receive from the online charging node policy data assigned to the DUG. In another embodiment, the method includes grating data resources to the one or more subscribers based on the policy data, which are shared by the one or more subscribers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of charging packets in a mobile network using a combined packet gateway (PGW) and serving gateway (SGW) which includes receiving a data packet; determining at least one of a rating group and a service rule associated with the data packet; and determining a state of a user device associated with the data packet. When the determined state of the user device comprises a connected state, the method includes charging the data packet, including updating an amount of credit in an account associated with the user device based on the at least one of the rating group and the service rule, and sending the data packet to an enodeB. When the determined state of the user device comprises an idle state, the method includes preventing delivery of the data packet to the enodeB such that the data packet is not charged.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a selection module associated with a control plane node implementing CUPS functionality can identify a user plane element for assigning user plane functionalities based on static and/or dynamic selection criteria. Dynamic criteria can include, for example, load information, latency, and hardware acceleration support. In some embodiments, a control plane node can determine whether to implement a CUPS or a non-CUPS session. If a non-CUPS session is determined, the CUPS control plane node can assume user plane functionalities in addition to control plane functionalities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing SMS communications such that an SMS-SC is bypassed in the communications include receiving, by an A-SCEF, at least one communication from an AS, the at least one communication including a data payload and a generic destination UE identifier, determining, by the A-SCEF, the at least one communication is associated with an SMS communication, creating, by the A-SCEF, a message including the data payload and a network-usable destination UE identifier, and providing, by the A-SCEF, the message to a MME such that it recognizes the message as an SMS communication and forwards the data payload to the UE as an SMS communication.

Abstract: A system for storing and managing subscription information for a plurality of subscribers in a mobile communications network is provided. The system comprises a first database, a second database, and one or more processors. The processors are configured to receive a request relating to a subscriber, determine that the first database lacks a desired record relating to the subscriber, retrieve the desired record from the second database, write the retrieved desired record to the first database, and perform one or more functions related to the desired record according to the request. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are configured to predict a time of a potential occurrence of one or more future connections related to the plurality of subscribers and before the predicted time, copy one or more records related to the plurality of subscribers from the second database to the first database.