Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation is managed in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that provides end-to-end transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). A first subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session in the CPN. A second subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an application flow in the CPN. Thus, the RAN can independently manage QoS, session authentication and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session and for an application flow.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile electronic device includes detecting at least one other mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the mobile electronic device, and determining a spatial relationship of the at least one other mobile electronic device relative to the mobile electronic device. An ad hoc wireless connection is established with the at least one other mobile electronic device based on the determined spatial relationship. Data may be transmitted to and/or received from the at least one other mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection based on the determined spatial relationship. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile electronic device includes detecting at least one other mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the mobile electronic device, and determining a spatial relationship of the at least one other mobile electronic device relative to the mobile electronic device. An ad hoc wireless connection is established with the at least one other mobile electronic device based on the determined spatial relationship. Data may be transmitted to and/or received from the at least one other mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection based on the determined spatial relationship. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) can be managed in a network that uses time division access, such as a Passive Optical Network (PON), by supporting provisioning of at least two scheduling precedence levels in the PON, none of the at least two precedence levels being associated with a fixed or assured bandwidth traffic type in the PON, but having a bandwidth precedence and/or proportion relationship to each other.

Abstract: Data architectures provide for managing Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that provides end-to-end transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). The data architecture includes a NSP access session record maintained at the RAN that defines QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session, such as a Point-to-Point (PPP) access session, associated with the RG and the NSP. A corresponding NSP access session record is maintained at the NSP associated with the access session. The NSP access session record at the RAN and the corresponding NSP access session record at the NSP both define a QoS and/or bandwidth allocation specified by the NSP associated with the session or both define a QoS and/or bandwidth allocation specified by the RAN.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic billboard includes detecting a mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the electronic billboard, establishing an ad hoc wireless connection with the mobile electronic device, and transmitting location-specific data to the mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection. The location-specific data is associated with a geographic location of the electronic billboard. For example, the location-specific data may include advertising content, traffic and/or construction conditions, emergency information, and/or tourism information associated with the geographic location of the electronic billboard. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) in a communication network is managed. A service provider requests a level of QoS for communication in the communication network using a QoS request. The requested level of QoS may be allocated to the service provider based on the QoS request. The service provider may make the QoS request on its own initiative and/or in response to a request from an application that is hosted by the service provider. A QoS level may then be allocated to the service provider and/or to particular applications that are hosted by the service provider.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic billboard includes detecting a mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the electronic billboard, establishing an ad hoc wireless connection with the mobile electronic device, and transmitting location-specific data to the mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection. The location-specific data is associated with a geographic location of the electronic billboard. For example, the location-specific data may include advertising content, traffic and/or construction conditions, emergency information, and/or tourism information associated with the geographic location of the electronic billboard. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods for providing video on demand service from an Application Service Provider (“ASP”) to a user over a Regional/Access Network (“RAN”) are provided. A request for a video on demand application flow may be received from the user. In response to the request, information may be obtained from the RAN regarding the capabilities of the user's Customer Premises Equipment (“CPE”). A profile may then be forwarded from the ASP to the RAN that specifies at least one policy regarding the transmission of data associated with the video on demand application flow across the RAN. The data associated with the video on demand application flow may then be forwarded across the RAN in accordance with the profile. The RAN may also be provided a default profile that specifies default policies that apply with respect to video on demand application flows that are transmitted across the RAN prior to obtaining information from the RAN regarding the capabilities of the CPE of any specific user.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) in a communication network is managed. A service provider requests a level of QoS for communication in the communication network using a QoS request. The requested level of QoS may be allocated to the service provider based on the QoS request. The service provider may make the QoS request on its own initiative and/or in response to a request from an application that is hosted by the service provider. A QoS level may then be allocated to the service provider and/or to particular applications that are hosted by the service provider.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation is managed in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that provides end-to-end transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). A first subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session in the CPN. A second subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an application flow in the CPN. Thus, the RAN can independently manage QoS, session authentication and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session and for an application flow.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) may be modified in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that includes a core network, the RAN facilitating differentiated end-to-end data transport between an enterprise, a Network Service Provider (NSP), and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a customer Premises Network (CPN). Application Programming Interface (API) calls are used at the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to query a resource allocation in the core network that is assigned to the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP. API calls are also used at the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or the QoS of the resource allocation in the core network that is assigned to the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP.

Abstract: Methods, systems and/or computer program products are provided for managing Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) having a broadband access server (BRAS) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). In particular embodiments of the present invention, a modify QoS and/or bandwidth allocation message including updated QoS and/or bandwidth information from the NSP and/or ASP is received at the RAN. The BRAS is updated with the QoS and/or bandwidth information and the RG is also updated with the QoS and/or bandwidth information.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) can be managed in a network that uses time division access, such as a Passive Optical Network (PON), by supporting provisioning of at least two scheduling precedence levels in the PON, none of the at least two precedence levels being associated with a fixed or assured bandwidth traffic type in the PON, but having a bandwidth precedence and/or proportion relationship to each other.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation is managed in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that provides end-to-end transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). A first subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session in the CPN. A second subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an application flow in the CPN. Thus, the RAN can independently manage QoS, session authentication and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session and for an application flow.

Abstract: A communications network is operated by providing a plurality of redundant links between a first network node and a second network node. A first identifier is associated with a first one of the plurality of redundant links and a second identifier is associated with a second one of the plurality of redundant links. The first and second identifiers are associated with the regulatory constraint. Traffic that is marked with the first identifier is routed to the first one of the plurality of redundant links and traffic that is marked with the second identifier is routed to the second one of the plurality of redundant links so that operation of the communications network is in compliance with the regulatory constraint.

Abstract: A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet is processed by receiving an MPLS packet that has first header information including at least a first MPLS label at a first MPLS network node. A translation system is operated to obtain second header information that includes at least a second MPLS label. The MPLS packet is modified with the second header information. The MPLS packet is routed to a second MPLS network node based on the second header information.

Abstract: A communications network is operated by providing a plurality of redundant links between a first network node and a second network node. A first identifier is associated with a first one of the plurality of redundant links and a second identifier is associated with a second one of the plurality of redundant links. The first and second identifiers are associated with the regulatory constraint. Traffic that is marked with the first identifier is routed to the first one of the plurality of redundant links and traffic that is marked with the second identifier is routed to the second one of the plurality of redundant links so that operation of the communications network is in compliance with the regulatory constraint.

Abstract: A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet is processed by receiving an MPLS packet that has first header information including at least a first MPLS label at a first MPLS network node. A translation system is operated to obtain second header information that includes at least a second MPLS label. The MPLS packet is modified with the second header information. The MPLS packet is routed to a second MPLS network node based on the second header information.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile electronic device includes detecting at least one other mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the mobile electronic device, and determining a spatial relationship of the at least one other mobile electronic device relative to the mobile electronic device. An ad hoc wireless connection is established with the at least one other mobile electronic device based on the determined spatial relationship. Data may be transmitted to and/or received from the at least one other mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection based on the determined spatial relationship. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.