Service profile management with user preference, adaptive policy, network neutrality and user privacy for intermediate networking devices

• US 8,675,507 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ItsOn, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SINKANTARAKORN, PAWARIS
• Application Number:
  US12/380,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20100188992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,842 Days
• Field of Search: 370252-253, 370/465, 370/468, 709223-226, 455405-408, 455/432.1
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/177 Initialisation or configuration control processor initialisation G06F9/4405
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1407 Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0876 Aspects of the degree of configuration automation
• 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 41/5003 : Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5025 : by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• 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 47/20 : Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 : for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 : Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 : using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 : by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/145 : avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 : Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 : including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 : Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 : based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/66 : Policy and charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 : Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 : Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 : Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 : of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 : Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 : Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• 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 28/0268 : 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 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 : Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 : Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 : Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• 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: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning

Abstract

Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, an intermediate networking device provides a service intermediary or intermediate connection between a network and one or more communications devices; implements a service profile set for assisting control of the intermediate networking device use of a service set on the network, wherein the service profile set includes one or more service profiles, each profile being associated with either the intermediate networking device or a communications device, each profile further including a plurality of service policy settings; and monitors use of the service set based on the service profile set, in which the implementation of the first service profile set is verified.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a message about a request of a communications device for a service over a particular roaming access network of a plurality of roaming access networks, the communications device being subscribed to a service plan associated with a home access network that is different than the plurality of roaming access networks;

retrieving one or more first charging rates for use of the service over the particular roaming access network, the one or more first charging rates being different than one or more second charging rates for use of the service over another access network;

obtaining an estimate of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network;

calculating, by a service controller, an estimated service usage cost of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network based on the one or more first charging rates and the estimated usage;

comparing a value based on the estimated service usage cost to a first limit;

sending an indication to a user of the communications device when the comparison satisfies a predetermined condition;

receiving from the particular roaming access network a measurement of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service; and

synchronizing the estimated usage with the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network, wherein the synchronizing the estimated usage with the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network includes applying an algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement of the communications device'"'"'s usage comprises a measure from the communications device, a measure from a roaming network element, or a measure from a billing record.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network comprises using the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network to determine a cost of or billable usage amount associated with the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network comprises using the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network to correct, modify, or update the estimated usage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network comprises using the estimated usage to determine a cost of or billable usage amount associated with the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network comprises using the lower of the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network to determine a cost of or billable usage amount associated with the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network comprises using the higher of the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network to determine a cost of or billable usage amount associated with the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm to reconcile the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network comprises using the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network to determine a cost of or billable usage amount associated with the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a result of reconciling the difference between the estimated usage and the usage measurement from the particular roaming access network in determining a cost of or billable usage amount associated with the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted by the communications device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is communicated by a function in the particular roaming access network.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending to the communications device one or more service usage charging rates corresponding to one or more available roaming access networks.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the particular roaming access network; and

using the identification in retrieving the one or more first charging rates.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the service controller is associated with the home access network.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more first charging rates are based at least in part on a roaming service billing agreement between a home access network service provider and a roaming access network service provider associated with the particular roaming access network.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimated usage is measured by a network element of the home access network that monitors data traffic backhauled from the particular roaming access network.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device measures the estimated usage at least in part by monitoring data communicated with the particular roaming access network.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising synchronizing the estimated usage with a usage measured by a network element.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the network element is associated with a home network.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the network element is associated with a roaming network.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the usage measured by the network element is an amount of usage from a billing record.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising quarantining the communications device based at least in part on the comparison of the value based on the estimated service usage cost to the first limit.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, in a quarantine state, the communications device is permitted to communicate over the particular roaming access network with one or more first network destinations, and is blocked from communicating with one or more other network destinations.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the quarantining includes instructing a network gateway to restrict backhauling at least a portion of data traffic for the communications device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the network gateway is a home access network gateway.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the network gateway is a roaming access network gateway.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

receiving a user input from the communications device;

determining whether the user input meets a condition; and

when the user input meets the condition, instructing the network gateway to remove the restriction on backhauling the at least a portion of data traffic for the communications device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication of a measure of service usage over the particular roaming access network, an amount of data, an amount of time, or a cost.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment of an incurred cost associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication that the communications device is permitted to continue to use the service over the particular roaming access network.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises a credential configured to identify a user.

33. The method of claim 22, wherein the quarantining includes instructing a service processor on the communications device to prevent the communications device from accessing one or more destinations over the particular roaming access network.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

receiving a user input from the communications device;

determining whether the user input meets a condition; and

when the user input meets the condition, instructing the service processor to allow the communications device to access the one or more destinations over the particular roaming access network.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication of a measure of service usage over the particular roaming access network, an amount of data, an amount of time, or a cost.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment of an incurred cost associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication that the communications device is permitted to continue to use the service over the particular roaming access network.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises a credential configured to identify a user.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the first limit is specified by a roaming access notification policy.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the first limit is specified by the user of the communications device.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is configured to inform the user that the user must acknowledge or deny continued use of the service.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the indication is configured to require a user response to the indication.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the indication is further configured to require the user to enter a user credential, password, secure code, or identifier if the user response comprises an acknowledgment of continued use of the service.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

quarantining the communications device'"'"'s use of the service until the user response is received.

46. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

sending a user-response message to a network element, the user-response message indicating whether the user acknowledged or denied continued use of the service.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

if the user response indicates that the user denied continued use of the service, quarantining, blocking, or restricting the communications device from accessing the particular roaming access network.

48. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication includes a particular first charging rate, and a user response is required to acknowledge the particular first charging rate.

49. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the estimated service usage cost to a second limit, the second limit less than the first limit; and

sending to the user of the communications device a warning indicating the estimated service usage cost, the warning based on the comparison of the estimated service usage cost to the second limit.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is configured to trigger a service processor to provide a notification to the user through a user interface, the notification including one or more service plan options for the user to select to receive additional service.

51. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an estimated rate of usage of the service by the communications device;

analyzing the estimated rate of usage to determine a projected usage estimate; and

sending to the user of the communications device a rate of service usage notification or service usage warning based on the projected usage estimate.

52. A method comprising:

receiving a message about a request of a communications device for a service over a particular roaming access network of a plurality of roaming access networks, the communications device being subscribed to a service plan associated with a home access network that is different than the plurality of roaming access networks;

retrieving one or more first charging rates for use of the service over the particular roaming access network, the one or more first charging rates being different than one or more second charging rates for use of the service over another access network;

obtaining an estimate of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network, wherein the estimated usage is measured by the communications device, which monitors data communicated with the particular roaming access network;

calculating, by a service controller, an estimated service usage cost of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network based on the one or more first charging rates and the estimated usage;

comparing a value based on the estimated service usage cost to a first limit;

sending an indication to a user of the communications device when the comparison satisfies predetermined condition; and

synchronizing the estimated usage received from the communications device with a usage measured by and received from a network element.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the message is transmitted by the communications device.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the message is communicated by a function in the particular roaming access network.

55. The method of claim 52, further comprising sending to the communications device one or more service usage charging rates corresponding to one or more available roaming access networks.

56. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

identifying the particular roaming access network; and

using the identification in retrieving the one or more first charging rates.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein the service controller is associated with the home access network.

58. The method of claim 52, wherein the one or more first charging rates are based at least in part on a roaming service billing agreement between a home access network service provider and a roaming access network service provider associated with the particular roaming access network.

59. The method of claim 52, further comprising quarantining the communications device based at least in part on the comparison of the value based on the estimated service usage cost to the first limit.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein, in a quarantine state, the communications device is permitted to communicate over the particular roaming access network with one or more first network destinations, and is blocked from communicating with one or more other network destinations.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the quarantining includes instructing a network gateway to restrict backhauling at least a portion of data traffic for the communications device.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the network gateway is a home access network gateway.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the network gateway is a roaming access network gateway.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

receiving a user input from the communications device;

determining whether the user input meets a condition; and

when the user input meets the condition, instructing the network gateway to remove the restriction on backhauling the at least a portion of data traffic for the communications device.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication of a measure of service usage over the particular roaming access network, an amount of data, an amount of time, or a cost.

67. The method of claim 64, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment of an incurred cost associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

68. The method of claim 64, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication that the communications device is permitted to continue to use the service over the particular roaming access network.

69. The method of claim 64, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises a credential configured to identify a user.

70. The method of claim 59, wherein the quarantining includes instructing a service processor on the communications device to prevent the communications device from accessing one or more destinations over the particular roaming access network.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

receiving a user input from the communications device;

determining whether the user input meets a condition; and

when the user input meets the condition, instructing the service processor to allow the communications device to access the one or more destinations over the particular roaming access network.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication of a measure of service usage over the particular roaming access network, an amount of data, an amount of time, or a cost.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment of an incurred cost associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication that the communications device is permitted to continue to use the service over the particular roaming access network.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises a credential configured to identify a user.

77. The method of claim 52, wherein the first limit is specified by a roaming access notification policy.

78. The method of claim 52, wherein the first limit is specified by the user of the communications device.

79. The method of claim 52, wherein the indication is configured to trigger a service processor on the communications device to provide a notification to the user.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the notification is configured to inform the user that the user must acknowledge or deny continued use of the service.

81. The method of claim 79, wherein the notification includes content stored locally on the communications device.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein the notification includes content from a network element.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the notification is configured to require a user response to the notification.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the notification is further configured to require the user to enter a user credential, password, secure code, or identifier if the user response comprises an acknowledgment of continued use of the service.

85. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

quarantining the communications device'"'"'s use of the service until the user response is received.

86. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

sending a user-response message to a network element, the user-response message indicating whether the user acknowledged or denied continued use of the service.

87. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

if the user response indicates that the user denied continued use of the service, quarantining, blocking, or restricting the communications device from accessing the particular roaming access network.

88. The method of claim 52, wherein the indication includes a particular first charging rate, and a user response is required to acknowledge the particular first charging rate.

89. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

comparing the estimated service usage cost to a second limit, the second limit less than the first limit; and

sending to the user of the communications device a warning indicating the estimated service usage cost, the warning based on the comparison of the estimated service usage cost to the second limit.

90. The method of claim 52, wherein the indication is configured to trigger a service processor to provide a notification to the user through a user interface, the notification including one or more service plan options for the user to select to receive additional service.

91. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

determining an estimated rate of usage of the service by the communications device;

analyzing the estimated rate of usage to determine a projected usage estimate; and

sending to the user of the communications device a rate of service usage notification or service usage warning based on the projected usage estimate.

92. A method comprising:

receiving a message about a request of a communications device for a service over a particular roaming access network of a plurality of roaming access networks, the communications device being subscribed to a service plan associated with a home access network that is different than the plurality of roaming access networks;

retrieving one or more first charging rates for use of the service over the particular roaming access network, the one or more first charging rates being different than one or more second charging rates for use of the service over another access network;

obtaining an estimate of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network;

calculating, by a service controller, an estimated service usage cost of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network based on the one or more first charging rates and the estimated usage;

comparing a value based on the estimated service usage cost to a first limit;

sending an indication to a user of the communications device when the comparison satisfies a predetermined condition, wherein the indication is configured to trigger a service processor on the communications device to provide a notification to the user;

obtaining a portion of the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service for facilitating at least a portion of the communication between the service controller and the communications device; and

excluding the portion from a calculated cost of the communication device'"'"'s usage of the service.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the notification includes a first charging rate for the service, and the user response is required to acknowledge the first charging rate.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the message is transmitted by the communications device.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the message is communicated by a function in the particular roaming access network.

96. The method of claim 92, further comprising sending to the communications device one or more service usage charging rates corresponding to one or more available roaming access networks.

97. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

identifying the particular roaming access network; and

using the identification in retrieving the one or more first charging rates.

98. The method of claim 92, wherein the service controller is associated with the home access network.

99. The method of claim 92, wherein the one or more first charging rates are based at least in part on a roaming service billing agreement between a home access network service provider and a roaming access network service provider associated with the particular roaming access network.

100. The method of claim 92, wherein the estimated usage is measured by a network element of the home access network that monitors data traffic backhauled from the particular roaming access network.

101. The method of claim 92, wherein the communications device measures estimated usage at least in part by monitoring data communicated with the particular roaming access network.

102. The method of claim 101, further comprising synchronizing the estimated usage with a usage measured by a network element.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein the network element is associated with a home network.

104. The method of claim 102, wherein the network element is associated with a roaming network.

105. The method of claim 102, wherein the usage measured by the network element is an amount of usage from a billing record.

106. The method of claim 92, further comprising quarantining the communications device based at least in part on the comparison of the value based on the estimated service usage cost to the first limit.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein, in a quarantine state, the communications device is permitted to communicate over the particular roaming access network with one or more first network destinations, and is blocked from communicating with one or more other network destinations.

108. The method of claim 106, wherein the quarantining includes instructing a network gateway to restrict backhauling at least a portion of data traffic for the communications device.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein the network access gateway is a home access network gateway.

110. The method of claim 108, wherein the network access gateway is a roaming access network gateway.

111. The method of claim 108, further comprising:

receiving a user input from the communications device;

determining whether the user input meets a condition; and

when the user input meets the condition, instructing the network gateway to remove the restriction on backhauling the at least a portion of data traffic for the communications device.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

113. The method of claim 111, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication of a measure of service usage over the particular roaming access network, an amount of data, an amount of time, or a cost.

114. The method of claim 111, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment of an incurred cost associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

115. The method of claim 111, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication that the communications device is permitted to continue to use the service over the particular roaming access network.

116. The method of claim 111, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises a credential configured to identify a user.

117. The method of claim 106, wherein the quarantining includes instructing a service processor on the communications device to prevent the communications device from accessing one or more destinations over of the particular roaming access network.

118. The method of claim 117, further comprising:

receiving a user input from the communications device;

determining whether the user input meets a condition; and

when the user input meets the condition, instructing the service processor to allow the communications device to access the one or more destinations over the particular roaming access network.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

120. The method of claim 118, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication of a measure of service usage over the particular roaming access network, an amount of data, an amount of time, or a cost.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an acknowledgment of an incurred cost associated with the communications device'"'"'s usage of the service over the particular roaming access network.

122. The method of claim 120, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises an indication that the communications device is permitted to continue to use the service over the particular roaming access network.

123. The method of claim 120, wherein the condition is that the user input comprises a credential configured to identify a user.

124. The method of claim 92, wherein the first limit is specified by a roaming access notification policy.

125. The method of claim 92, wherein the first limit is specified by the user of the communications device.

126. The method of claim 92, wherein the indication is configured to trigger a service processor on the communications device to provide a notification to the user.

127. The method of claim 126, wherein the notification is configured to inform the user that the user must acknowledge or deny continued use of the service.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the notification is configured to require a user response to the notification.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein the notification is further configured to require the user to enter a user credential, password, secure code, or identifier if the user response comprises an acknowledgment of continued use of the service.

130. The method of claim 128, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

quarantining the communications device'"'"'s use of the service until the user response is received.

131. The method of claim 128, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

sending a user-response message to a network element, the user-response message indicating whether the user acknowledged or denied continued use of the service.

132. The method of claim 128, further comprising:

receiving the user response; and

if the user response indicates that the user denied continued use of the service, quarantining, blocking, or restricting the communications device from accessing the particular roaming access network.

133. The method of claim 126, wherein the notification includes content stored locally on the communications device.

134. The method of claim 126, wherein the notification includes content from a network element.

135. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

comparing the estimated service usage cost to a second limit, the second limit less than the first limit; and

sending to the user of the communications device a warning indicating the estimated service usage cost, the warning based on the comparison of the estimated service usage cost to the second limit.

136. The method of claim 92, wherein the indication is configured to trigger a service processor to provide a notification to the user through a user interface, the notification including one or more service plan options for the user to select to receive additional service.

137. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

determining an estimated rate of usage of the service by the communications device;

analyzing the estimated rate of usage to determine a projected usage estimate; and

sending to the user of the communications device a rate of service usage notification or service usage warning based on the projected usage estimate.