Abstract: A service provisioning mediator entity in a communications system is provided with information defining a set of service provisioning triggering messages. In response to receiving a service provisioning triggering message including an identifier associated with a user from a further network entity involved in providing the service to the user, the service provisioning mediator entity triggers service provisioning in the communications system for the user. The service provisioning triggering message may be sent by a controlling network entity upon receiving from an information store a message indicating that a user attempting to register is not recognized. If the user is recognized, trigger information in the information store may be used for directed a session to a network entity configured to handle service provisioning triggering messages. As a further alternative, a user may request service provisioning by sending a service provisioning triggering message from a communication device.

Abstract: A method includes, in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, the action comprising selecting one or more other existing users associated with the first user from a personal list to include the one or more other existing users in an optional communications service to which the first user has subscribed, determining whether any of the one or more other existing users are already a subscriber to the optional communications service, creating a subscription to the optional communications service for at least one of the one or more other existing users that lacks a subscription, and transmitting configuration information to the at least one of the one or more other existing users.

Abstract: A method of implementing an optional communications service within a communications system that involves the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system. The method includes, in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, initiating the preparation of one or more elements of the communications system for providing said optional communications service in relation to one or more other existing users of the communications system. When the first user thereafter accesses the optional communications service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communications service.

Abstract: A proxy network element for controlling access to services in a communications system is disclosed. The proxy network element is configured to communicate with at least one further network element using a protocol belonging to a plurality of protocols, the at least one further network element controlling service usage based on service subscriptions. The proxy network element is also configured to provide access for the at least one further network element to at least one information store storing information relating to service subscriptions. The proxy network element provides support for communicating using the plurality of protocols and support for accessing a plurality of different information stores.

Abstract: A method of implementing within a communications system an optional communications service involves the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system. The method includes, in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, instigating the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service in relation to one or more other existing users of the communications system. When the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.

Abstract: A service provisioning mediator entity in a communications system is provided with information defining a set of service provisioning triggering messages. In response to receiving a service provisioning triggering message including an identifier associated with a user from a further network entity involved in providing the service to the user, the service provisioning mediator entity triggers service provisioning in the communications system for the user. The service provisioning triggering message may be sent by a controlling network entity upon receiving from an information store a message indicating that a user attempting to register is not recognized. If the user is recognised, trigger information in the information store may be used for directed a session to a network entity configured to handle service provisioning triggering messages. As a further alternative, a user may request rervice provisioning by sending a service provisioning triggering message from a communication device.

Abstract: A proxy network element for controlling access to services in a communications system is disclosed. The proxy network element is configured to communicate with at least one further network element using a protocol belonging to a plurality of protocols, the at least one further network element controlling service usage based on service subscriptions. The proxy network element is also configured to provide access for the at least one further network element to at least one information store storing information relating to service subscriptions. The proxy network element provides support for communicating using the plurality of protocols and support for accessing a plurality of different information stores.