Fair Usage Enforcement in Roaming Packet Based Access
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Means and methodology for a Policy and Charging Rule Function, in a network visited by a roaming terminal, to determine its role and mode of operation in concurrence with a Policy and Charging Rule Function in the home network of that terminal. The role is determined base on the fact the terminal is roaming, a roaming agreement exists between both networks or can be established and visitor network'"'"'s operator rules. Determining mode of operation comprises negotiation and possible rule transfer between visited network and home network Policy and Charging Rule Functions.
58 Citations
32 Claims
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1-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A method for role determination of a first Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) in a network visited by a roaming terminal having a subscription in a home network, where the first PCRF has determined that the terminal is roaming into the network, the method comprising:
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retrieving an address of a second PCRF in the home network by the first PCRF, checking if a roaming agreement exists with the home network, when said roaming agreement exists, taking the visiting network PCRF (V-PCRF) role by said first PCRF and negotiating a mode of operation with the second PCRF by said first PCRF, and the first PCRF assumes the negotiated mode of operation, and when said roaming agreement does not exist and local policies in the network allow limited access, assume limited PCRF mode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for role determination of a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) in a home network of a roaming terminal, where the PCRF has received a first diameter message from a second PCRF in the network visited by said terminal, comprising:
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taking a home network PCRF (H-PCRF) role, checking if said first diameter message contains an additional mode of operation information element for negotiation of a mode of operation by said PCRF, when said first diameter message contains the additional mode of operation information element for negotiation of a mode of operation by said PCRF, checking the requested mode of operation in said additional mode of operation information element against internal rules and determine a wanted mode of operation, and preparing a diameter answer message and including an additional mode of operation information element containing the wanted mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) comprising a fair usage session controller for determining role and mode of operation of the PCRF, said fair usage session controller being configured to:
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retrieve an address of a second PCRF in the home network by the PCRF, check if a roaming agreement exists with the home network, when said roaming agreement exists, take the visiting network PCRF (V-PCRF) role by said PCRF and negotiate a mode of operation with the second PCRF by said PCRF, and the PCRF assumes the negotiated mode of operation, and when said roaming agreement does not exist and local policies in the network allow limited access, assume limited PCRF mode. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification