Abstract: A method for an application function (AF) device in a wireless cellular network including the steps of determining with a processing unit whether an application service requires confirmation that a transmission path for corresponding application service media is available to progress set up of an application service session. There is the step of sending a message generated by the processing unit through a network interfacing unit to a policy and charging rule function (PCRP) server to indicate whether the application service requires confirmation that the transmission path for the corresponding application service media is available. An application function (AF) device in a wireless cellular network including a processing unit which determines whether an application service requires confirmation that a transmission path for corresponding application service media is available to progress set up of an application service session.

Abstract: A Policy and Charging Rules Function, a PCRF (120), for use with a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, a PCEF (135), over a Gx interface, and arranged to communicate with an Application Function, an AF (110), over an Rx interface. The PCRF (120) is arranged to receive a request from the AF (110) regarding Access Network Charging Correlation Information for the AF, and if such a request is received from the AF, the PCRF (120) checks if the Access Network Charging Correlation Information is known to the PCRF, in which case the PCRF (120) provides the information to the AF (110), and if the Access Network Charging Correlation Information is not known to the PCRF (120), it subscribes to the Access Network Charging Correlation Information from the PCEF (135) and to supply the Access Network Charging Correlation Information to the AF (110) after reception from the PCEF (135).

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: A method, a gateway node, a policy control node and a infrastructure network for handling a handover of a User Equipment communicating wirelessly with the infrastructure network. A first gateway node receives handover information indicative of a handover of the user equipment between two radio access networks the first gateway node determining a bearer control mode on the basis of the handover information the first gateway node transmitting control information determined on the basis of the bearer control mode to a policy control node the first gateway node controlling the bearer binding on the basis of the bearer control mode.

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: 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: 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: A method of a Home Policy and Charging Rule Function (H-PCRF) in a telecommunications network having a Home Public Mobile Public Network (HPLMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Public Network (VPLMN) includes the steps of receiving signaling messages at a network interface. There is the step of detecting dynamically from a received message with a processing unit a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) scenario with regard to PCC capabilities of a VLPMN. There is the step of sending a message from the network interface to a Home Application Function (H-AF) notifying the H-AF of the detected PCC scenario so the H-AF can decide whether to progress a service negotiation with regard to a user roaming on said VPLMN or not. A Home Policy and Charging Rule Function (H-PCRF) in a telecommunications network having a Home Public Mobile Public Network (HPLMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Public Network (VPLMN).

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A Policy and Charging Rules Function, a PCRF (120), for use with a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, a PCEF (135), over a Gx interface, and arranged to communicate with an Application Function, an AF (110), over an Rx interface. The PCRF (120) is arranged to receive a request from the AF (110) regarding Access Network Charging Correlation Information for the AF, and if such a request is received from the AF, the PCRF (120) checks if the Access Network Charging Correlation Information is known to the PCRF, in which case the PCRF (120) provides the information to the AF (110), and if the Access Network Charging Correlation Information is not known to the PCRF (120), it subscribes to the Access Network Charging Correlation Information from the PCEF (135) and to supply the Access Network Charging Correlation Information to the AF (110) after reception from the PCEF (135).

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: 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: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating a communication session between a user terminal and an Application Function over an IP Connectivity Access Network. The method comprises, at a Policy and Charging Rules Function, receiving information relating to the session from the Application Function (B3), determining one or more Policy and Charging Control rules for the session including deriving a Quality of Service authorised for the session, and sending the Policy and Charging Control rules, including the authorised Quality of Service, to a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (B5).

Abstract: A method of a Home Policy and Charging Rule Function (H-PCRF) in a telecommunications network having a Home Public Mobile Public Network (HPLMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Public Network (VPLMN) includes the steps of receiving signaling messages at a network interface. There is the step of detecting dynamically from a received message with a processing unit a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) scenario with regard to PCC capabilities of a VLPMN. There is the step of sending a message from the network interface to a Home Application Function (H-AF) notifying the H-AF of the detected PCC scenario so the H-AF can decide whether to progress a service negotiation with regard to a user roaming on said VPLMN or not. A Home Policy and Charging Rule Function (H-PCRF) in a telecommunications network having a Home Public Mobile Public Network (HPLMN) and a Visited Public Mobile Public Network (VPLMN).

Abstract: A method for an application function (AF) device in a wireless cellular network including the steps of determining with a processing unit whether an application service requires confirmation that a transmission path for corresponding application service media is available to progress set up of an application service session. There is the step of sending a message generated by the processing unit through a network interfacing unit to a policy and charging rule function (PCRP) server to indicate whether the application service requires confirmation that the transmission path for the corresponding application service media is available. An application function (AF) device in a wireless cellular network including a processing unit which determines whether an application service requires confirmation that a transmission path for corresponding application service media is available to progress set up of an application service session.

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.