A method is presented that allows for coordination between parties wanting to communicate. The method serves to replace the current ‘synchronous’ method of phone session initiation (which allows random people to interrupt one's flow) with a system that allows both parties to indicate when they are ready and willing to communicate with particular parties. Instead of a first party directly calling a second party, both indicate readiness to talk to each other by means of (for instance) status indicators on a smartphone, thereby eliminating the obtrusive nature of the time-limited phone ring. The method also includes an apparatus that determines which is the optimal party to actually place the call such that overall expenses may be minimized.

A device receives an identifier associated with a user device, and receives information associated with data usage by the user device. The device determines whether the data usage is sponsored by a sponsor based on the identifier and the information associated with the data usage. The sponsor sponsors data usage associated with particular content accessed by the user device. The device assigns charges for the data usage to an account associated with the user device when the data usage is not sponsored by the sponsor, or to an account associated with the sponsor when the data usage is sponsored by the sponsor.

Systems and methods for managing a set of electronic assets from a single location are disclosed. The method includes providing a portal with a network security access control. The method includes determining that login credentials input to the access control are associated with a set of electronic assets corresponding to a plurality of third-party computing systems with application programming interface (API) gateways configured to accept API calls directed to changes in functionality of the electronic assets. The method includes presenting, via the portal, a virtual icon to identify a coordinated action with respect to the set of electronic assets and, in response to a selection of the virtual icon, executing a set of API calls that include an asset-specific API call to each third-party computing system in the plurality of third-party computing systems to implement the coordinated action on all electronic assets in the set of electronic assets.

The invention provides a method and system for sharing Wi-Fi in a Wi-Fi network using a cloud platform. To start with, the method and system enables registration of one or more Wi-Fi access points on the cloud platform and enables a client device to rent a Wi-Fi connection from owner of a Wi-Fi access point. Subsequently, the method and system enables the client device to select a Wi-Fi access point registered on the cloud platform based on usage fee, properties and signal quality. Further, the method and system performs offload optimization using an AI module by deciding whether data offloading from licensed spectrum to unlicensed spectrum is desirable or not. In response to deciding that data offload is desirable, the client device is allowed to connect to the selected Wi-Fi access point and transact with the Wi-Fi access point owner using cryptocurrencies in a blockchain-based network.

A wireless communication device associated with a mobile operator network transmits an authentication request for network access via a wireless access point (AP) using a transceiver other than the cellular network transceiver. Device authentication can occur directly with the mobile operator network or via a proxy server. Upon authentication, the requesting device may access a wide area network in a data off-load operational mode and the data flow to and from the device via the AP is monitored and reported to mobile operator network associated with the requesting device. The wireless communication device can communicate with any of a plurality of APs distributed in a venue during the data off-load operational mode.

A system and method of associating and transferring financially valuable information recorded against an unregistered mobile phone number with an external identifier comprising the external identifier; an application program; at least one originating communications device having an unregistered mobile phone number assigned thereto; and at least one replacement communications device having a separate mobile phone number assigned thereto, the application program automatically obtains the external identifier and operates to direct at least one third party who holds financially valuable information recorded against at least one of the unregistered mobile phone numbers allocated to the at least one originating communications device to associate such financially valuable information with the external identifier; and where the application program directs the at least one third party to transfer the financially valuable information associated with the unregistered mobile phone number to the separate mobile phone number.

A computing platform enables the reliable delivery of message data (e.g., virtual airtime credits) into the accounts of mobile device users. The computing platform facilitates a large network of integrations (communication channels) with mobile network operators and reseller, preferably via a statistically-based message routing technique that uses a continuously updated estimate of the probability that a particular request over each integration will succeed. Requests are then routed over an integration picked using this information; if the request fails, the attempt is then retried using another integration until either it succeeds or the system believes the request will never succeed. The success or failure of each request is also used to update the probability estimate, preferably continuously, so that the system adjusts automatically as the reliability of each integration changes over time.

A client device receives, from a user, a request to connect to a medium. The client device sends a request to a server to inquire whether a sufficient amount of credits is stored in an account for the user. The client device then receives a response to the inquiry. If the user account contains at least one credit, a connection is established between the client device and the medium. The server receives, from a controlling terminal, account information for the user, and a list of activities for reporting by the user. This information is stored in the user account. Credits are also stored in the user account. A report related to a performance of an activity part of the list of activities is received from the client device of the user. In response to receiving the report, the number of credits is incremented in the user account.

In a telecommunication network, a method is carried out for assisting a first user terminal (100.sub.1) in benefiting from a data connectivity. A second user terminal (100.sub.2) indicates (s10), to a connectivity donation server (200), that it is willing to sponsor data connectivity of the first terminal (100.sub.1) and that, restriction(s) are imposed on how the sponsored connectivity can be used. The restriction(s) comprise: i) where the first terminal (100.sub.1) is to be located for benefiting from the sponsored connectivity; and ii) which access network(s) the first terminal (100.sub.1) has to connect to for benefiting from the sponsored connectivity. The connectivity donation server (200) then transmits a token to the second terminal (100.sub.2), which in turn transmits (s30) it to the first terminal (100.sub.1) using proximity-based means. Terminals, network nodes, and computer programs for use in the above method are also disclosed.

An inbound call connection request may be received from a non-resident, directed to a controlled-environment facility resident and/or the resident's device. A determination may be made that a calling account of the resident does not have sufficient funds to pay for the inbound call, whereupon a message may be provided to the non-resident offering billing options, including at least a wireless carrier billing option, to complete the call connection. The call may be connected with the resident device in response to a determination a calling account of the inmate has sufficient funds to pay for the call or acceptance of one of the payment methods by the non-resident, along with authentication that the non-resident is associated with an address identifier (AID) of the resident device, and verification that the resident operating the device is associated with the AID of the device.