Sprint Spectrum L.p.

Sprint Communications Comapny L.p.

Tekelec

Kenneth Charles Jackson

Von Karl McConnell

Baoquan Zhang

Thomas M Sladek

Mark Yarkosky

Uri Baniel

Bryce Alan Jones

David Michael Sprague

Tarek Abou-Assali

Michael Mercurio

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for steering a subscriber between access networks are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for steering a subscriber between access networks includes, at a first policy and charging rules function (PCRF) that serves a first access network, identifying a subscriber of the first access network as a candidate for steering to a second access network that is served by a second PCRF, querying the second PCRF to determine whether the candidate subscriber is allowed access to the second access network, and, upon a determination that the candidate subscriber is allowed access to the second access network, steering the candidate subscriber to the second access network.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for steering a subscriber between access networks

The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for PCRF node selection. According to one aspect, a system for PCRF node selection is provided. The system includes a first PCRF selection node for receiving a first request message for which PCRF node selection is required. The first PCRF selection node determines whether to select the PCRF or to delegate selection of the PCRF. In response to a determination to delegate the selection of the PCRF, the first PCRF selection node generates and sends a second request message related to the first request message. The system further includes a second PCRF node for, in response to receiving the second request message from the first PCRF selection node, determining whether to select the PCRF or to delegate selection of the PCRF. In response to determining to select the PCRF, the second PCRF selection node selects the PCRF.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node selection

A private wireless network is able to provide wireless telecommunication services to subscriber mobile stations that also subscribe to a public wireless network. The private wireless network includes a private base transceiver station (BTS), a private mobile switching center (MSC), and a gateway service control point (SCP). The private BTS provides a private network wireless coverage area within which the mobile station can communicate with the base transceiver station over an air interface. The gateway SCP has a private network database containing private network data records for subscribing mobile stations. A private network data record includes a private network service profile and a private network locator address. The public wireless network has a home location register (HLR) with a public network database containing public network data records for subscribing mobile stations. A public network data record includes a public network service profile and a public network locator address. When a subscriber mobile station is active on the private wireless network, the private network locator address identifies the private MSC, and the public network locator address identifies the gateway SCP. By providing the private network wireless coverage area so that it overlaps the public network's wireless coverage area, the subscriber mobile station may be handed off between the private and public wireless networks.

Private wireless network integrated with public wireless network

A method and system for providing services in communications networks. A gateway layer determines information about a communication session and responsively sends a signaling message to a session manager, providing the information. The session manager may then send a signaling message to a service agent, also providing the information. The service agent may in turn apply a set of service logic based at least in part on the information, so as to derive a service treatment, and the service agent may send a signaling message so as to cause an enforcement engine (such as the gateway or session manager) to carry out the service treatment. Advantageously, this arrangement may facilitate imposition of services across various types of communication sessions (such as voice sessions and/or data sessions) and access networks (such as circuit-switched and/or packet-switched), at session initiation and during the course of an ongoing session. A variety of useful services may thereby be provided.

Method and system for imposing air interface service level

Method and system for providing services in communications networks

A method and system for monitoring telecommunications traffic is disclosed. When a switch receives a call request, the switch sends a query message to a service controller. The service controller identifies the call request as a request to place a special service call and therefore returns to the switch a special service code, which causes the switch to route the call via a special looparound circuit to a destination. A signaling path associated with the looparound circuit passes through a designated network entity, which can therefore monitor the start and end of the call. An SCP or other network entity can then take appropriate action in response to the status of the call. The invention is particularly useful in facilitating robust account balance service such as prepaid calling.

Growing community of inventors

Overland Park, KS, United States of America

Kenneth Charles Jackson