A process for authorizing wireless service includes providing a generally rectangular flat form factor card having a first surface and opposing second surface. The process further includes providing a machine-readable activation code arranged on the first surface, wherein the machine-readable activation code is configured to authorize the wireless service when provided to a system associated with a wireless service provider, receiving the machine-readable activation code in a server, the machine-readable activation code being captured by a wireless device, and provisioning the wireless service to the wireless device from a wireless network when the machine-readable activation code is provided to the system associated with the wireless network.

A network device stores overload handling criteria for a real-time credit management system of a wireless core network. The network device monitors for overload conditions based on the overload handling criteria and determines, based on the monitoring, that a potential overload condition exists. The network device receives a first credit control request for a user device, determines a standard resource quota that is responsive to the first credit control request, and allocates an increased resource quota, over the standard resource quota, for the first credit control request. The increased resource quota is based on the potential overload condition and the overload handling criteria. The increased resource quota may prevent the system from reaching a complete overload condition, may reduce overall message traffic, and may provide time for manual or autonomous recovery from the circumstance that caused the potential overload condition.

Inmate text communication can include communicating a text message through a server via a Wi-Fi radio, where the Wi-Fi radio is associated with an active predetermined and unique telephone number selected from a group of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers.

A system for providing multimedia content. The system includes means for transmitting targeted multimedia content to customers via a telecommunications network; and automatically receiving and outputting the content on a mobile platform. In the illustrative embodiment, the system includes means for encoding, compressing and storing content on a server. An applet is transmitted from the server to each mobile platform. When executed at the mobile platform, the applet deciphers the content and retrieves a schedule with a playback time. The content is then played out without interrupting the user. The applet may include credit code which adds time to a SIM card on the mobile platform giving a user credit time to use the device for one or more functions (communication, games, etc.) at no additional charge. The applet may also include a bar code which when displayed to a third party vendor, allows the user to receive a discount on purchases of goods or services related to the ad. In the best mode, the mobile platform includes a cellular transceiver adapted for a GSM or CDMA network. The mobile platform stores data relating to the output of the content and sends this data on command back to the server. The server includes code for forwarding this feedback data to advertisers.

A policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) apparatus, an online charging apparatus, and an online charging method, where the online charging method includes receiving a policy and charging control (PCC) rule from a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), determining that a service data flow of a user equipment is a sponsor service data flow sponsored by a sponsor, determining, based on a rating group of the sponsor service data flow included in the PCC rule, whether the PCEF apparatus has a credit quota available to the sponsor service data flow when the sponsor service data flow uses online charging, and sending a credit control request including the rating group to the online charging apparatus when the PCEF apparatus does not have the credit quota available to the sponsor service data flow.

The present disclosure provides a method (200) in a network entity for control of a Value Added Service (VAS) to be provided for a user. The method (200) comprises: receiving (S210) from another network entity an indication of an account status of a VAS related account associated with the user; determining (S220) a VAS control policy for the VAS based on the account status; and transmitting (S230) the VAS control policy to a network controller that controls provision of the VAS.

The present disclosure provides a method (200) in a network entity for control of a Value Added Service (VAS) to be provided for a user. The method (200) comprises: receiving (S210) from another network entity an indication of an account status of a VAS related account associated with the user; determining (S220) a VAS control policy for the VAS based on the account status; and transmitting (S230) the VAS control policy to a network controller that controls provision of the VAS.

The present disclosure discloses an automatic recharge system and method, and a server, and belongs to a field of online recharge. The system includes: an agent server end on which an automatic recharge program runs, a third-party platform server, and at least one provider server, each provider server providing at least one online recharge service; the third-party platform server generates at least one order and stores the order; the agent server end logs in the third-party platform server by using the automatic recharge program and obtains the order; and the agent server end sends a recharge parameter corresponding to the order to the provider server by using the automatic recharge program, so as to complete an online recharge process corresponding to the order.

The present disclosure discloses an automatic recharge system and method, and a server, and belongs to a field of online recharge. The system includes: an agent server end on which an automatic recharge program runs, a third-party platform server, and at least one provider server, each provider server providing at least one online recharge service; the third-party platform server generates at least one order and stores the order; the agent server end logs in the third-party platform server by using the automatic recharge program and obtains the order; and the agent server end sends a recharge parameter corresponding to the order to the provider server by using the automatic recharge program, so as to complete an online recharge process corresponding to the order.

Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.