Device-assisted services for protecting network capacity

• US 20120324091A9
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G., Raissinia, Alireza, Lavine, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,589,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1492 negotiation of tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1496 involving discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0896 Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities flow or congestion control using dynamic resource allocation, e.g. in-call renegotiation, H04L47/76
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5006 Creating or negotiating SLA contracts, guarantees or penalties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5022 by giving priorities, e.g. assigning classes of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5029 Service quality level-based billing, e.g. dependent on measured service level customer is charged more or less
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5051 Service on demand, e.g. definition and deployment of services in real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0882 Utilisation of link capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/12 Avoiding congestion; Recovering from congestion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/19 at layers above the network layer network arrangements for networked applications for scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2425 for supporting services specification, e.g. SLA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2475 for supporting traffic characterised by the type of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/803 Application aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 : QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/808 : User-type aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/822 : Collecting or measuring resource availability data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/824 : Applicable to portable or mobile terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/83 : based on usage prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 : Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 : taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 : the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 : Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 : Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/44 : Augmented, consolidated or itemized billing statement or bill presentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/66 : Policy and charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 : based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 : Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/81 : Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 : using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 : using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/021 : in wireless networks with changing topologies, e.g. ad-hoc networks self-organizing networks H04W84/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0221 : power availability or consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0247 : based on conditions of the access network or the infrastructure network central resource management H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0257 : the individual bearer or channel having a maximum bit rate or a bit rate guarantee
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0284 : detecting congestion or overload during communication monitoring arrangements H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 : Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/20 : Negotiating bandwidth
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 : Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/144 : over a different radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 : Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 : based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 : based on traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0264 : by selectively disabling software applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 : Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 : Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Device Assisted Services (DAS) for protecting network capacity is provided. In some embodiments, DAS for protecting network capacity includes monitoring a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication; classifying the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and associating the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

Claims

2. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

monitor a network service usage activity of the communications device in wireless network communication;

report the network service usage activity of the communications device to a network element, wherein the network element performs statistical analysis of a plurality of reported network service usage activities across a plurality of devices;

receive a network service usage activity classification list from the network element; and

classify the network service usage activity based on the network service usage activity classification list for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

3. The system recited in claim 2, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

associate the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

4. The system recited in claim 2, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

associate the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

differentially control the network service usage activity based on the network service usage activity classification list, wherein the network service usage activity is a network capacity controlled service.

5. A system, comprising:

a processor of a network device configured to;

receive a first report of network service usage activities of a first device from the first device;

receive a second report of network service usage activities of a second device from the second device;

perform a statistical analysis of a plurality of reported service usage activities across a plurality of devices, including the first device and the second device; and

send a network service usage activity classification list to the first device and the second device for classifying network service usage activities based on the service usage activity classification list for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

6. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

associate the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

7. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

associate the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

differentially control the network service usage activity based on the service usage activity classification list for protecting network capacity.

8. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

associate a network service usage activity of the communications device with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

generate a user notification based on the network service usage control policy; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

9. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the network service usage control policy includes a network service usage notification policy.

10. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the user notification includes one or more of the following:

one or more service activities classified as network capacity controlled services, type of network service policy in effect for one or more network capacity controlled services, notification that a network service activity belongs to a network capacity controlled services classification, notification that a service activity that is classified as network capacity controlled services classification can have the classification changed, notification that if the service class is changed for the network service activity that the associated network service usage charges will change, a service plan upgrade/downgrade offer, and an offer for a service plan that provides discounts and/or incentives for responding to one or more user notifications for protecting network capacity.

11. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the user notification includes a user preference selection, including one or more of the following:

a provision to associate a network service usage control policy with the network service usage activity, an over-ride option for selecting the network service usage control policy, a modify option to select the service usage control policy, and a select option to select a new service plan.

12. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the user notification occurs after one or more of the following:

an attempt to download or load an application onto the communications device, an attempt to execute the network service activity or the network service usage activity attempts to access the network, a network service usage activity meets or exceeds a network service usage threshold, a network service usage activity attempts a network service usage that satisfies a pre-condition, an update to a network capacity controlled service activity classification list, an update to a network capacity controlled services policy, and a network message is sent to the device triggering the notification.

13. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the user notification includes one or more of the following:

network service usage activity information for one or more network capacity controlled services, predicted network service usage activity information for one or more network capacity controlled services, an option for obtaining more information about the network service usage of the network service usage activity, a message that the network service usage activity may result in network service usage that exceeds a threshold for a service plan associated with the device, an option to review or select an alternative service plan, an acknowledgement request, and an option to submit the acknowledgement request.

14. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

determine a network busy state of a wireless network; and

classify a network service usage activity of the communications device based on the network busy state to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity of the wireless networks; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

15. The system recited in claim 14, wherein the network busy state is based on one or more of the following:

network performance, network congestion, network availability, network resource availability, network capacity, and a time based criteria.

16. The system recited in claim 14, wherein protecting network capacity of the wireless network includes protecting network capacity of a last edge segment of the wireless network, and the processor is further configured to:

send the network busy state to a network element.

17. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

monitor a network service usage activity of a device in wireless network communication;

classify the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

account for the network service usage activity based on a classification of the network service usage activity for differential network service usage accounting; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

18. The system recited in claim 17, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

charge for the network service usage activity based on the classification of the network service usage activity for differential network service usage charging, wherein charging for the network service usage activity includes mediating CDR/IPDR charging records for network capacity controlled services and non-capacity controlled services.

19. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

receive an API request from a network service usage activity for wireless network access;

respond to the API request from the network service usage activity; and

implement differential network access for the network service usage activity for protecting network capacity, wherein the differential network access is based on a priority level associated with the network service usage activity and a network busy state; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

20. The system recited in claim 19, wherein a response to the API request includes providing one or more of the following to the network service usage activity:

a network busy state, whether the network service usage activity is allowed to access the network, which access network to which the network service usage activity is granted network access, what traffic controls the network service usage activity is required to implement for network access, when the network is available to the network service usage activity for access, a schedule for network access for the network service usage activity, a reservation for network access for the network service usage activity with a specified performance level, an instruction to transition to a dormant or power save state, and an instruction to awake from a dormant or power save state.

21. A system, comprising:

a processor of a network device configured to;

receive an API request from a network service usage activity of a communications device for wireless network access; and

respond to the API request from the network service usage activity for implementing differential network access for protecting network capacity;

wherein the differential network access is based on a priority level associated with the network service usage activity and a network busy state; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

22. The system recited in claim 21, wherein a response to the API request includes providing one or more of the following to the network service usage activity:

a network busy state, whether the network service usage activity is allowed to access the network, which access network to which the network service usage activity is granted network access, what traffic controls the network service usage activity is required to implement for network access, when the network is available to the network service usage activity for access, a schedule for network access for the network service usage activity, a reservation for network access for the network service usage activity with a specified performance level, an instruction to transition to a dormant or power save state, and an instruction to awake from a dormant or power save state.

23. The system recited in claim 21, wherein the API is a network element API that is in secure communication with the communications device, and wherein the communications device implements the differential network access, and the differential network access implementation is verified.

24. The system recited in claim 21, wherein the busy state information is obtained from one or more network elements.

25. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

monitor a plurality of network service usage activities of the communications device;

determine a network busy state based on the monitored plurality of network service usage activities; and

send a network busy state report to a network element; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

26. The system recited in claim 25, wherein the communications device includes a verified service processor, and wherein the verified service processor monitors the plurality of network service usage activities of the communications device and determines the network busy state based on the monitored plurality of network service usage activities.

27. The system recited in claim 25, wherein determining the network busy state includes one or more of the following:

data rate, latency, jitter, bit error rate, packet error rate, number of network access attempts, number of network access successes, number of network access failures, QoS level availability, QoS level performance, and variability in any of the preceding parameters.

28. A system, comprising:

a processor of a network device configured to;

collect network busy state information for one or more access networks for a plurality of communications devices; and

implement differential network access for one or more network capacity controlled services for the plurality of communications devices based on the network busy state information associated with each of the one or more access networks for protecting network capacity; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

29. The system recited in claim 28, wherein the network busy state information is collected from a plurality of network based measures transmitted to the network device, wherein the network based measures are received from one or more of the following:

a base station, a base station monitor, an airwave monitor, and a base station controller.

30. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

monitor a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication;

classify the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

associate the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

31. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the communications device is a mobile communications device, and the service includes one or more Internet based services, and wherein the mobile communications device includes one or more of the following:

a mobile phone, a PDA, an eBook reader, a music device, an entertainment/gaming device, a computer, laptop, a net book, a tablet, and a home networking system.

32. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

implement differential network access for the network service usage activity for protecting network capacity; and

verify implementation of the differential network access for the network service usage activity.

33. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

implement differential network access for the network service usage activity for protecting network capacity using a verified service processor.

34. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

implement differential network access for the network service usage activity for protecting network capacity using an emulated network access API.

35. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

monitor the network service usage activity based on a service profile; and

determine that the network service usage activity is a network capacity controlled service based on the monitored use of the network service usage activity based on the service profile using a verified service processor.

36. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

determine if network access for the network service usage activity is authorized based on a service plan associated with the communications device, a network capacity controlled service priority level associated with the network service usage activity, and a network busy state.

37. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

execute a router for dynamically managing one or more network capacity controlled services and/or QoS sessions for the communications device.

38. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

execute a router for dynamically managing one or more network capacity controlled services and/or QoS sessions for the communications device; and

send network busy state information to a service controller, wherein the service controller provides a policy decision point for management for a plurality of communications devices in communication with one or more base stations.

39. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

execute a router for dynamically managing one or more network capacity controlled services and/or QoS sessions for the communications device;

send network busy state information to a service controller, wherein the service controller provides a policy decision point for management for a plurality of communications devices in communication with one or more base stations; and

receive router traffic control instructions from the service controller, wherein the service controller provides the router traffic control instructions to assist in dynamically managing network capacity usage for the plurality of communications devices in communication with the one or more base stations for protecting network capacity of one or more access networks.

40. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the classifying is based on a current access network and/or the network service usage control policy is based on a current access network.

41. The system recited in claim 30, wherein classifying includes dynamically assigning a network capacity controlled services priority level based on a network busy state.

42. The system recited in claim 30, wherein classifying includes querying a network element for determining a network capacity controlled services classification and/or associating includes querying a network element for determining an association with the network service usage control policy.

43. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the network service usage control policy includes one or more of the following:

block/allow settings, throttle settings, adaptive throttle settings, QoS class settings, packet error rate, jitter and delay settings, queue settings, and tag settings.

44. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the network service usage control policy includes traffic control policy filters.

45. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the network service usage control policy includes traffic control policy filters implemented as cascading filters.

46. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the network service usage control policy includes traffic control policy filters using a network busy state and/or a time of day as an index into a traffic control setting.

47. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

differentially control the network service usage activity based on the network service usage control policy based on a network busy state, wherein the network service usage activity is classified as a network capacity controlled service.

48. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

differentially control the network service usage activity based on the network service usage control policy based on a user input and/or a current access network, wherein the network service usage activity is classified as a network capacity controlled service.

49. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

modify or replace a network stack interface of the communications device to provide for intercept or discontinuance of network access messaging for implementing traffic control for network capacity controlled services for protecting network capacity.

50. The system recited in claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

store a network capacity controlled service list, wherein the network capacity controlled service list is periodically updated based on monitored network service usage activities.

51. A method, comprising:

monitoring a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication;

classifying the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

associating the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

52. A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

monitoring a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication;

classifying the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

associating the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

53. A method comprising:

examining a particular service usage activity to determine if the particular service usage activity fits a set of one or more classification rules that define the particular service usage activity as a background service usage activity;

determining whether a condition is satisfied, the condition including a finding that the particular service usage activity is determined to be a background service usage activity; and

when the condition is satisfied, restricting network access of the particular service usage activity.

1. A system, comprising:

a processor of a communications device configured to;

monitor a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication;

classify the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

associate the network service usage activity with a service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the set of one or more classification rules examines at least one of network type, time of day, connection cost, whether home or roaming, network busy state, QoS, and whether the particular service usage activity is in foreground of user interaction or in the background of user interaction.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the set of one or more classification rules includes examining if one or more of the following has taken place within a specified period of time:

user has interacted with the device, user has interacted with the service usage activity, user has picked up the device, service usage activity UI content is in the foreground of the device UI, audio or video information is being played by the service usage activity, a certain amount of data has been communicated by the service usage activity, service usage activity is or is not on a foreground or background service list.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising obtaining user selection of rules that define which service usage activities to classify as background service usage activities.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the user selection of classification rules includes user selection of specific service usage activities to classify as background service usage activities.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising obtaining user selection of rules that define more than one level of service background class for the user to choose from.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the obtaining user selection includes presenting usage information for service usage activities to aid in determining which to define as background service usage activities.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the obtaining user selection includes presenting cost information for service usage activities to aid in determining which to define as background service usage activities.

61. The method of claim 53, wherein the condition includes enabling the user to select a network for background service usage activities.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the selection of the network is based on the time of day.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the selection of the network is based on connection cost.

64. The method of claim 53, wherein the user can modify the set of one or more classification rules.

65. The method of claim 53, wherein the condition includes

detecting when the service usage activity was initiated or attempted to be initiated;

notifying the user that this is a background service usage activity; and

provides the user with an option to implement the step of restricting.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising

informing the user of what the restriction options are;

implementing the restriction if the user chooses to implement a restriction option; and

disabling the restriction if the user chooses to proceed.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein a network element sets the classification rules.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the setting of the set of one or more classification rules is based on network manager input.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the setting the set of one or more classification rules is based on characterizing application usage behavior.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the setting the set of one or more classification rules is based on a policy instruction provided from a network element to the device.

71. The method of claim 53, wherein the examining takes place on the device.

72. The method of claim 53, wherein the set of one or more classification rules includes determining if an app is an OS function, client/server data sharing/update function, software update or download, background file download, email or calendar or contact update or synch function.

73. The method of claim 53, wherein the restricting includes one or more of:

blocking, delaying, implementing a time window, aggregating/holding/transmitting, throttling, restricting to a range of NBS level, restricting to certain network types, restricting based on whether home or roaming, restricting to a certain time period, waiting for lower cost condition, waiting for specified network, waiting for home network, waiting for time of day, and waiting for network background state.

74. The method of claim 53, wherein the background service usage activity data that needs to be communicated via the device is cached until the condition is modified, reduced or removed.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the cached data is prioritized so that most important data is communicated first when the condition is modified, reduced or removed.

76. The method of claim 53, wherein the restricting occurs on the device, and the app is unaware that it might be subjected to background service restrictions.

77. The method of claim 53, further comprising modifying or repressing app notification messages about lack of network connectivity.

78. The method of claim 53, wherein an app is made aware that it might be subjected to background service restrictions.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the awareness is provided via a background service API.

80. The method of claim 53, wherein an app has rules defining in which background states it should transmit.

81. The method of claim 53, wherein an app has a capability to override background service rules for high priority data.

82. The method of claim 53, wherein an app background service status API indicates one or more of:

background transmission permission status, background class or classes allowed to transmit, NBS, QoS, apps allowed to transmit, service classes allowed to transmit, type of network, time of day, geography, and whether home or roaming.

83. The method of claim 53, wherein the user is charged less for background services that are implemented with background service policy controls.

84. The method of claim 53, wherein the user can override background service policy enforcement for high priority communication.

85. The method of claim 53, wherein the user pays a higher price when background service policy enforcement is overridden.

86. The method of claim 53, wherein a sponsored service partner is charged less for background services that are implemented with background service policy controls.

87. The method of claim 53, wherein a sponsor can override background service policy enforcement for high priority communication.

88. The method of claim 53, wherein a sponsor programs override decision conditions into an app.

89. The method of claim 53, wherein a sponsor programs override decision conditions into a network element.

90. The method of claim 53, wherein a sponsor app or network element can override background service policy.

91. The method of claim 53, wherein a sponsor pays a higher price when background service policy enforcement is overridden.

92. The method of claim 53, wherein a restriction occurs in the network.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein an app is not aware that it might be subjected to background service restrictions.

94. The method of claim 92, further comprising modifying or repressing app notification messages about lack of network connectivity.

95. The method of claim 92, further comprising providing an app with network state indications that are differential for different apps according to app background class or priority.

96. The method of claim 92, further comprising informing an app that it might be subjected to background service restrictions.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein a background service API performs the informing.

98. The method of claim 92, wherein an app has rules for which background states it should transmit.

99. The method of claim 92, wherein an app has a capability to override background service rules for high priority data.

100. The method of claim 92, wherein an app background service status API indicates one or more of:

background transmission permission status, background class or classes allowed to transmit, NBS, QoS, apps allowed to transmit, service classes allowed to transmit, type of network, time of day, geography, and whether home or roaming.

101. The method of claim 92, wherein the price for a sponsored service for background service usage activities is reduced when background service policies are followed.

102. The method of claim 92, wherein a sponsor device app determines background classification state and determines whether or not to restrict communication.

103. The method of claim 92, wherein an app determines background state from a device API.

104. The method of claim 92, wherein an app determines background state from a network API.

105. The method of claim 92, wherein an app determines background state from an NBS monitor.

106. The method of claim 92, wherein a sponsor price is increased if background policies are overridden by a sponsor app.

107. The method of claim 92, wherein a sponsor server determines background classification state and determines whether to restrict communication.

108. The method of claim 92, wherein a network element determines background state from a device API.

109. The method of claim 92, wherein a network element determines background state from a network API.

110. The method of claim 92, wherein a network element determines background state from an NBS monitor.

111. The method of claim 92, wherein a sponsor price is increased if background policies are overridden by a sponsor network element.

112. The method of claim 92, wherein a background service state indication API on the device makes background service state available to apps or network elements so they can decide when to communicate.

113. The method of claim 92, wherein a background service state indication API on a network element provides API background service state information to device apps or partner servers so they can decide when to communicate.

114. The method of claim 53, wherein the restricting allows a minimum connectivity for background services.

77-1. The method of claim 53, wherein an app is provided with network state indications that are differential for different apps according to app background class or priority.