Abstract: This specification faces the issue of unnecessary signalling between PCRF clients and the PCRF, where there is just one PCRF, and the issue of selecting by PCRF clients a right PCRF, where there are more than one PCRF. To solve these issues, this specification provides for PCC deployment information stored in a subscriber database and transmitted to a final node, likely through intermediate nodes. This PCC deployment information identifies one or more PCC interfaces that apply for a UE and, for each of the one or more PCC interfaces, at least one node that requires contacting a PCRF node identified by a PCRF address. A node receiving the PCC deployment information determines, based on the PCC deployment information, whether a PCRF node has to be contacted and, if it is determined that the PCRF node has to be contacted, such node initiates a session with the PCRF node identified by the corresponding PCRF address.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for notification of network events to an Online Charging System (OCS) in a telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method of handling packets sent across a packet switched network comprising a policy server acting as a policy and charging rules function. The method comprises providing a first set of policy rules at said policy server, and installing these from the policy server into an access gateway over a first service control session. These policy rules cause packets belonging to a given IP session to be diverted by the access gateway to a network address translator. At the network address translator, an IP source address of said packets is translated into a translated IP source address identifying a deep packet inspection node. The network address translator forwards the packets to the deep packet inspection node configured to perform deep packet inspection of IP packet.

Abstract: In a method carried out in a telecommunication network, a policy decision function provides an instruction to a policy enforcement function and/or a traffic detection function. Within the instruction, some service instances of a service are identified by the order according to which the service instances are started. The instruction also indicates: (i) a service instance level reporting rule according to which the policy enforcement function and/or traffic detection function should report, or should not report, information to the policy decision function after occurrence of an event relating to any one of the identified service instances; and/or (ii) a service instance level enforcement rule that the policy enforcement function and/or traffic detection function should enforce on a received packet relating to any one of the identified service instances. The invention also relates to network nodes and computer programs.

Abstract: User identity token for identifying a user of a communication network A first node (13), e.g., a policy controller of a communication network, receives a request (101) from a second node (15), e.g., an application server for providing a service in the communication network. The request (101) includes a transport address assigned to a user of the communication network. Further, the first node (13) accesses mapping data (31) relating the transport address to a subscription identity of the user and determines a user identity token which is mapped to the subscription identity of the user and masks the subscription identity. The first node (13) then sends a response to the second node (15). The response (102) includes the user identity token.

Abstract: Being aware of a loss of signalling bearer transport through an IP Connectivity Access Network is an important issue. Therefore, the present invention relies on amending the Policing and Charging Control model with means to provide the IMS infrastructure with subscriptions to and notifications about signalling session events detected on the signalling IP flow transported through the bearer layer. To this end, a P-CSCF, or AF included therein, is amended to allow the establishment of a signalling session for subscription to notification of bearer level events for a signalling IP flow. Apart from that, new processing rules are required at the AF and PCRF for handling the signalling session, the notification of events and the termination of the signalling session.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relates to a method for enabling multiple bearer support upon congestion situations in a communication network. The PCC architecture is enabled to determine whether separate bearers need to be established for service(s) that demand MBR>GBR when no ECN support is provided. This is provided in nodes and methods receiving, using a receiving unit (301), an indication of session establishment for a bearer from a bearer binding function unit (113, 115), obtaining profile information with Quality of Service, QoS, information about maximum bit rate, MBR, and guaranteed bit rate, GBR, related to the bearer; determining that the MBR is larger than the GBR, making a policy decision, and transmitting, using the transmitting unit (305), an acknowledgement of session establishment to the bearer binding function unit with an indicator that a separate bearer is to be established.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism for conflict resolution between authorized services in respect of selective authorization criteria, such as service incompatibilities, subscribed bandwidth QoS assigned per subscriber and pre-emption priority value assigned per service. The present invention allows the authorization of a subsequent service as a result of applying a selective authorization criterion for the subscriber at a policy control rules server to determine those previously authorized services to be put on hold, notifying about said previously authorized services to be on hold towards application devices handling such services, and inactivating at a policy enforcement device those control rules applicable to the media associated with said previously authorized services.

Abstract: An authentication method comprises providing a set of N plural number of master keys both to a user terminal (13) and to home network entity (11) and, when performing an authentication key agreement (AKA) transaction for an application, selecting one of the N number of master keys to serve as a master key for use both at the user terminal and the home network entity for deriving further keys for the application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of notifying an Application Function (AF) in a communications network of resource restrictions relating to a communication session. The network includes a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) for authorizing and controlling flows of data in the session. In the method the AF sends an authorization request to the PCRF for establishing the communication session. The authorization request includes an indication that the AF is to be notified of resource restrictions for the data flows in the session. The PCRF notifies the AF of the resource restrictions.

Abstract: A policy controller of a mobile network receives an authorization request for a packet-based service from a node. In response to receiving the authorization request, the policy controller performs an authorization check to determine an authorization status of the service and sends an authorization response to the node. The authorization response indicates the authorization status of the service. In response to the same authorization request, the policy controller performs at least one further authorization check to redetermine the authorization status of the service. If the further authorization check indicates that the authorization status of the service has changed, the policy controller sends a status change message to the node. The status change message indicates to the node that the authorization status of the service has changed.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) node (118), a network node (110, 111, 113a, 115, 117, 119a, 120) and a wireless device (101), as well as corresponding methods therein, for monitoring an ability of a wireless device to receive downlink data. The example embodiments presented herein provide a means of notifying an application server (105) of when a wireless device (101) is reachable, i.e., able to receive downlink data. Thus, by knowing when the wireless device is reachable, the application server may avoid sending communication request to the wireless device when the device is unavailable. Thus, unnecessary signaling may be avoided.

Abstract: In a method for providing, for a terminal device, a service or service component requiring a first packet-forwarding treatment, a network node hosting a policy decision function determines that a dedicated bearer for carrying the traffic associated with the service or service component requiring the first packet-forwarding treatment cannot be used. This occurs when the service is initiated or, in the alternative, for an ongoing service. The service or service component is then initiated or, in the alternative, maintained, using a fallback bearer allowing the traffic associated with the service or service component to be carried with a second packet-forwarding treatment differing from the first one. The invention also relates to a method carried out, in such a context, by a network node hosting an application function, and to computer programs, computer program products and storage mediums for carrying out such methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling a communication session in a communications network. An Application Function node receives a request to register a user terminal in the communication network. The Application Function identifies an Access Point used by the terminal to register with the network, and send a request message to a Policy and Charging Register Function (PCRF). The request message includes an Access Point Name identifying an Access Point used by the user terminal. The AF receives a response message from the PCRF, including an indicator indicating whether the Access Point is an Emergency-Access Point. The AF subsequently receives a message from the user terminal that identifies a non-emergency terminating node. If the indicator indicates that the Access Point is not an Emergency-Access Point, the AF allows the communication session. If the indicator indicates that the Access Point is an Emergency-Access Point, then the AF rejects the communication session.

Abstract: A policy controller (30) of a mobile network receives an authorization request (302) for a packet-based service from a node (80). In response to receiving the authorization request (302), the policy controller performs an authorization check (305) to determine an authorization status of the service and sends an authorization response (306) to the node (80). The authorization response (306) indicates the authorization status of the service. In response to the same authorization request (302), the policy controller (30) performs at least one further authorization check to redetermine the authorization status of the service. If the further authorization check indicates that the authorization status of the service has changed, the policy controller (30) sends a status change message (311) to the node. The status change message (311) indicates to the node (80) that the authorization status of the service has changed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to route a diameter message of a data packet session in a mobile communications network. A diameter routing unit receives a diameter message and checks whether an indicator is set, the indicator indicating that the message relates to a data packet session for which a policy and charging control unit has already been selected. When the indicator is set the policy and charging control unit is identified and the message is transmitted to the identified policy and charging control unit.

Abstract: Traffic flow template filters with policy control and charging rule precedence are provided in a network. A request from a wireless device to add or modify at least one traffic flow template, TFT, filter, with a requested TFT filter precedence value for a particular bearer associated with the wireless device is received. A policy and charging control, PCC, rule precedence range, corresponding to the TFT filter is then determined. The determined PCC rule precedence range is transmitted to a policy and charging rules function, PCRF, block.

Abstract: For event reporting between a first node and a second node of a mobile telecommunications network, the second node sends an indication to the first node to subscribe to reporting of a certain event type by the first node. The indication may specify that a change in type of radio access technology, as used by a user equipment for connecting to the telecommunications network, is to be reported from the first node to the second node. The second node may provide additional information to the first node to further specify a subtype of the event to be reported. The additional information may specify at least one type of radio access technology. Based on detecting the event of the specified event type and subtype, e.g., a change to or from a specific type of radio access technology, the first node sends a report of the detected event to the second node.

Abstract: A method for policy control in an infrastructure network comprising a Gateway (GW) an Access Function (AF), and at least one Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: (a) the GW establishing a Gx or Gxx session in order to set the current PDN connection under PCC control, (b) the GW further providing information about the current PDN connection to a first PCRF, (c) the first PCRF performing authorization and policy decision based on the PDN connection information and sends it together with restoration instructions to the GW, (d) the GW when detecting that the first PCRF is not available, applying the restoration instructions, said instructions requiring the GW to try to regain PCC control and/or requiring the GW to gracefully delete the services associated with the PCC control.

Abstract: A first Policy and Charging Rules Function “PCRF” server for recovery of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” system. The PCC system also has a second PCRF server previously in charge of controlling an Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network “IP-CAN” session previously established with a UE, and a PCRF-client. The first PCRF server includes a network interface unit of the first PCRF server arranged for receiving a modification request of the IP-CAN session from the PCRF-client after failure of the second PCRF server which was in active mode. The first PCRF server has a PCRF identifier which is shared with the second PCRF server that has failed. The first PCRF server now in active mode. The modification request requesting new rules for the IP-CAN session, including modification data and excluding access data and supported features for the IP-CAN session.