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.

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: A method of delivering data to user terminals connected to an Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network, IP-CAN, wherein the IP-CAN implements a Policy and Charging Control, PCC, architecture. The method comprises caching data within an IP-CAN cache server upon a decision made by a Policy and Charging Rules Function, PCRF, of the PCC architecture. The cached data is then identified to a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, PCEF, of the PCC architecture. At the PCEF, data requests made by user terminals are monitored and a determination made as to whether or not a request relates to cached data. If a request does relate to cached data, then that cached data is delivered from the IP-CAN cache server to the requesting user terminal.

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: 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 packets.

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 present invention faces the issue of carrying out an IP Multimedia Subsystem Restoration procedure with help of Policing and Charging Control “PCC” architecture with new functions recently standardized and which conventional PCC nodes do not support. Thus, the present invention provides for making use of an enhanced Deep Packet Inspection device included in a Policing and Charging Enforcement Function “PCEF” server for inspecting signalling traffic and for detecting an identifier of a Proxy Call Session Control Function “P-CSCF” server during IMS registration by a user's equipment; so that the PCEF can monitor the P-CSCF availability without impacting other conventional PCC nodes.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of ensuring that all AF sessions for an IP-CAN session reach the same PCRF when more than one PCRF is deployed in an operator network. The method involves configuring a PCRF such that, upon receipt of a request relating to the establishment or modification of the IP-CAN session, the PCRF determines one or more Application Detection and Control (ADC) rules for identifying application messages associated with the IP-CAN session and that require that an address of the PCRF must be included in the identified AF session messages. The PCRF is further configured to provision the one or more ADC rules at an ADC node.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user who is a subscriber of a home network, authenticated in a first network, for accessing a service in a second network. This method includes: authenticating the user in the first network with a first authentication method selected in an authentication server; reserving resources for the service towards a rules enforcement device; requesting control rules for the resources towards a control rules server; submitting towards the control rules server information about the first authentication method; determining at the control rules server whether a further authentication of the user with a further authentication method is required; and instructing from the control rules server towards the authentication server to force the further authentication of the user with the further authentication method.

Abstract: A Mediation Entity (ME) provides a single policy server common to the BroadBand Forum (BBF) fixed domain and the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) mobile domain. A Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) in the mobile domain provides policy control for both fixed and mobile domains. The ME in the 3GPP domain enables such PCRF approach. The ME may be introduced as a 3GPP mobile domain-based network function or element between a fixed domain-based Border Network Gateway (BNG) and the PCRF. With regard to the BBF fixed domain, the ME acts before the BNG as a Broadband Policy Control Function (BPCF), and with regard to the 3GPP mobile domain, the ME acts before the PCRF as a gateway implementing a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) or as a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF).

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: A request is received to install control rules before having received a corresponding QoS Authorization, especially where the QoS Authorization requires a prior reservation of resources. The request for a bearer resource is pre-authorized before having received a QoS authorization for said request, by receiving a request for a bearer resource; determining that a QoS authorization has not been received yet; pre-authorizing said request for the bearer resource by installing initial control rules; and updating the previously installed initial control rules with final control rules upon receipt of the QoS authorization. This pre-authorization and the submission of initial control rules are carried out from a PCRF server towards a PCEF device, before having received the QoS authorization. In particular, the pre-authorization may be triggered from a P-CSCF at the originating or destination side, or at both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods and network nodes for controlling resources of a service session in a communication network as well as to a corresponding system and computer program to improve the handling of resources in the network, and particularly to optimize signaling in the network. The method for controlling resources for a service session by a policy and charging system in a communication network comprises the steps of obtaining, at a first network node, a request including service session data indicating the type of service; determining, based on the service session data obtained at said first network node, a resource type to be assigned to said service; and sending to a second network node an indication of said resource type assigned to said service, according to which resource type it is determined when a service session associated with said service is terminated.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide 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. To this end, the present invention provides for a new method that 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: In order to support generation of network statistics, a policy controller (30) of a mobile network may be provided with a network statistics generator (32) and with an interface (Ni) to a network intelligence function (60). The network statistics generator (32) may use these interfaces of the policy controller (30) for obtaining information needed to generate the network statistics. In addition, the network statistics generator (32) may also use information which is locally available at the policy controller (30). In other words, the policy controller (30) or one or more other nodes may act as sources of information for generating the network statistics. The network statistics generator (32) may select types of information to be used for compiling a certain network statistic and also suitably select nodes to be used as sources of information for obtaining these types of information. This may for example be accomplished on the basis of a request received from the network intelligence function (60).

Abstract: The present invention faces the problem of network scenarios where there is no user differentiation, and where sessions established through an IP Multimedia Subsystem always proceed in the same way regardless user categories and regardless whether a user has accessed through a fixed or a mobile network. To this end, the present invention provides for a new method for dynamically configuring a Proxy Call Session Control Function of the IP Multimedia Subsystem from a Policy Control Rules server responsible for installing control rules to authorize media flows at an entity in the bearer layer. This entity in the bearer layer may be a Policy and Charging Enforcement Point of a PCC architecture, whereas the Policy Control Rules server may be a Policy and Charging Control Rules of the PCC architecture.

Abstract: A policy and charge control (PCC) architecture and method for handling access point name-aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) subscription data that is associated with a subscriber regardless of whether the subscriber's User Equipment (UE) is located in an AMBR-capable access area such as an E-UTRAN or in an AMBR non-capable access area such as a 3G SGSN. The PCC architecture includes: (a) a policy server such as a PCRF that installs the APN-AMBR subscription data during an IP session establishment for the subscriber in the IP level convergence point and (b) an IP level convergence point that enforces the APN-AMBR subscription data for a lifetime of an IP session associated with the IP session establishment.

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: 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 authorising and controlling flows of data in the session. In the method the AF sends an authorisation request to the PCRF for establishing the communication session. The authorisation 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: The present invention relates to a method for policy control carried out by a node including a policy and charging rules function and a method for bearer control carried out by a node including a bearer binding function as well as to a server configured for implementing a policy and charging rules function and a server configured for implementing a bearer binding function, to a system including these servers and functions, and to computer programs comprising instructions configured, when executed on a server, to cause the server to carry out policy control or bearer control.