Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes receiving a radio signal stream, segmenting the radio signal stream based on a control word in the radio signal stream, mapping the segmented radio signal stream to a service class, transporting the segmented radio signal stream in packets through channels over a backhaul link, and maintaining the order of the radio signal stream over the backhaul link. In more particular embodiments, the backhaul link may use a DOCSIS link, the radio signal stream can be received using a Common Public Radio Interface, and the radio signal stream may include sub-streams transported through segmented channels over the backhaul link.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating location and access network information for an end user to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) element that is coupled to a network element. The network element receives packets for a communications flow from the end user if the flow is initiated through a wireless network and through a wireline network. In more specific embodiments, the location and access network information is used to initiate one or more applications for the end user. The method could also include communicating to an application function that the end user has attached to one of the networks, has been assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the location and access network information for the end user.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods of selectively terminating security in mobile networks are presented. User equipment (UE) can specify cipher termination location capabilities for encrypting/decrypting data packets to a base station in a mobile network. The mobile network can subsequently determine at which node in the network to terminate the cipher in part according to the capabilities provided and deliver the determined location to the UE. The determined cipher termination location can be provided in response to a request to initiate communications, the initial request can specify the capabilities. The UE can utilize the location to support disparate types of networks and to intelligently deal with hand-offs and other functions of the mobile network.

Abstract: A method is provided in example embodiments that include receiving a radio signal stream and segmenting the radio signal stream into segments. The segments may be packetized and transported in packets over a pseudowire in a packet-switched network. The radio signal stream can be reconstructed from the segments. In more particular embodiments, the pseudowire may be a multi-protocol label switching pseudowire or a layer 2 tunneling protocol pseudowire, for example. In yet other specific example embodiments, the radio signal stream may be received using a common public radio interface or a femtocell application programming interface.

Abstract: System and methods for modifying streaming data based on radio frequency information is provided. As radio transceivers transition move to a shared resource or cloud model and the existing radio transceivers are split into a baseband unit and a remote radio head, radio frequency (RF) information including power levels, encoding, data rates, and bandwidth can be provided to video optimization server. The RF information can be provided more frequently to allow real-time modifications to streaming video data. Existing protocols are reactionary in nature and perceive changing channel conditions indirectly. By providing RF information from the baseband unit on a low latency channel, modifications to the video stream can be made before an impact would be noticed at the protocol level. Also, policy information can be used to influence the changes made to streaming data in addition to the RF information.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes receiving a radio signal stream, segmenting the radio signal stream based on a control word in the radio signal stream, mapping the segmented radio signal stream to a service class, transporting the segmented radio signal stream in packets through channels over a backhaul link, and maintaining the order of the radio signal stream over the backhaul link. In more particular embodiments, the backhaul link may use a DOCSIS link, the radio signal stream can be received using a Common Public Radio Interface, and the radio signal stream may include sub-streams transported through segmented channels over the backhaul link.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating image-based payment transactions through the exchange of encoded images between devices connected to a communication network. The encoded images represent different parts of a contract and may be tiled to form a unique image-based mosaic that includes information to complete and validate a payment transaction.

Abstract: An Ethernet local management interface (E-LMI) protocol for use at a user-to-network interface (UNI) of a Metro Ethernet Network (MEN) is disclosed. The E-LMI protocol allows configuration and status information for the services at the UNI to be transferred from the MEN to a customer edge device coupled to the MEN at the UNI. Various embodiments involve sending or receiving a message via a User-to-Network Interface (UNI) of a Metro Ethernet Network (MEN). A customer edge device extracts configuration and status information for the services at the UNI from a received message. The configuration and status information can correspond to a multipoint Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC).

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating location and access network information for an end user to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) element that is coupled to a network element. The network element receives packets for a communications flow from the end user if the flow is initiated through a wireless network and through a wireline network. In more specific embodiments, the location and access network information is used to initiate one or more applications for the end user. The method could also include communicating to an application function that the end user has attached to one of the networks, has been assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the location and access network information for the end user.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating location and access network information for an end user to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) element that is coupled to a network element. The network element receives packets for a communications flow from the end user if the flow is initiated through a wireless network and through a wireline network. In more specific embodiments, the location and access network information is used to initiate one or more applications for the end user. The method could also include communicating to an application function that the end user has attached to one of the networks, has been assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the location and access network information for the end user.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes invoking a mobile access gateway function based on an end user requesting an Internet Protocol (IP) address in a wireless or a wireline network. The invocation is selective such that the mobile access gateway function is invoked if the end user requires IP mobility services. The method also includes communicating with a gateway in order to obtain the IP address. The mobile access gateway function is coupled to a network element that receives packets for a communications flow from the end user that can conduct the flow through the wireless network and through the wireline network.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving packets at a network element for a communications flow from an end user, the network element receiving the packets if the flow is initiated through a wireless network and through a wireline network. A network address translation (NAT) binding occurs for the end user at the network element, the NAT binding including an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the end user, the NAT binding being controlled by policy infrastructure coupled to the network element. The network element can be provided along a routing path for the flow (e.g., the IP session), irrespective of whether mobility services are used by the end user. The policy infrastructure can also support NAT control between home and visited networks with the visited network retaining control and privacy over the actual NAT elements being used.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving packets for a communications flow from an end user that can conduct the flow through a wireless network and through a wireline network. The method also includes providing policy control for the end user at a network element that receives packets and resolves admission control decisions for the flow for the end user in both the wireless network and the wireline network. The network element providing Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment for the end user in both networks. In more specific embodiments, the method includes providing policy peering in both home and visited networks for the flow, providing access network information that indicates the type of access network being used by the end user, and network address translation (NAT) control for the user.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating location and access network information for an end user to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) element that is coupled to a network element. The network element receives packets for a communications flow from the end user if the flow is initiated through a wireless network and through a wireline network. In more specific embodiments, the location and access network information is used to initiate one or more applications for the end user. The method could also include communicating to an application function that the end user has attached to one of the networks, has been assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the location and access network information for the end user.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods of selectively terminating security in mobile networks are presented. User equipment (UE) can specify cipher termination location capabilities for encrypting/decrypting data packets to a base station in a mobile network. The mobile network can subsequently determine at which node in the network to terminate the cipher in part according to the capabilities provided and deliver the determined location to the UE. The determined cipher termination location can be provided in response to a request to initiate communications, the initial request can specify the capabilities. The UE can utilize the location to support disparate types of networks and to intelligently deal with hand-offs and other functions of the mobile network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, generating a first value at an Internet Protocol gateway (IPGW) corresponding to an identifier (ID) of an access terminal (AT). The method further includes identifying a first one of a plurality of visited bearer managers (VBMs) based on a correlation between the first value and a first Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first VBM and determining usability of the first VBM for the AT, the determination of the usability of the first VBM taking into account dynamic conditions at the first VBM. If the first VBM is usable for the AT, connection is allowed between the AT and the first VBM. If the first VBM is unusable for the AT, a second value corresponding to a modification of the ID is generated and a second one of the VBMs is identified.