Asynchronous and/or synchronous telephony protocol systems and methods may include an asynchronous signaling node (ASN) and/or a call duration time quota from a charging onset to place and complete a call based on a first device call request as received from a first user mobile device on a packet switched network. The asynchronous systems include instructions to automatically modify the telephony address with a prefix and destination address when the first device has insufficient or independent balance or upon a network exception; route the modified call signal to the ASN; and deliver and automatically disconnect the call when the call is completed. The synchronous systems are balance-independent and include instructions to automatically set the call duration time quota upon such exception, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call from the second user telephony device when the call is completed or when the call duration time quota is exceeded.

Methods and systems for controlling dynamic spectrum access (DSA) for the purposes of wirelessly communicating or exchanging data within a network environment are disclosed. Methods may include detecting, via at least one asset included in a wireless device network, at least one candidate asset attempting to enter the wireless device network from an external network, and constructing a spectrum profile for the wireless device network based on metadata for transactions between assets in the wireless device network. The method may also include applying an access policy including the spectrum profile to the at least one candidate asset within the wireless device network, and admitting the at least one candidate asset to the wireless device network in response to applying the access policy to the at least one candidate asset.

A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

Apparatus and methods for providing backhaul access connectivity to e.g., a vehicular hotspot. In one embodiment, a wireless network of access points comprises so-called parent access points (PAPs), child access points (CAPs), and transit access points (TAPs). Each PAP operates as a service gateway and provides a wireless coverage area, which is further augmented by the coverages of its subsidiary CAPs. Each TAP can connect to either a PAP or a CAP for backhaul access. During exemplary operation, a user's Wi-Fi client device connects to a TAP located in the vehicle (e.g., car, train, bus, etc.), and provides connectivity to a host managed content distribution network to which the user subscribes.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for calculating network component value information. In use, network user information is received that is related to a plurality of network users in connection with at least one network. Such plurality of network users are organized into segments of network users, based on the network user information. Further, network usage charge information is identified that is related to charges for network usage over a predetermined amount of time, for at least one of the segments of network users. Also identified is network usage information related to network usage over the predetermined amount of time, for the at least one segment of network users. Based on this information, revenue rate information is calculated. Still yet, network component usage information is identified that is related to at least one of a plurality of network components of the at least one network utilized in connection with the network usage over the predetermined amount of time, for the at least one segment of network users. To this end, network component value information is calculated that is associated with the at least one network component of the at least one network utilized in connection with the network usage over the predetermined amount of time. Further, such network component value information calculation is based on the revenue rate information and the network component usage information, for output purposes.

Systems, methods, and software for selecting a network slice for User Equipment (UE) in a network that is partitioned into network slices. In one embodiment, a slice selection server receives an attach request intiated by the UE to attach to the network, sends a request to a policy control server to obtain a slice selection policy for the UE, and receives a response from the policy control server indicating a plurality of charging rules for the UE that are each mapped to a different one of the network slices. The slice selection server selects a network slice for the UE based on the charging rules, and sends an attach response to the UE that includes a network slice identifier (ID) for the network slice selected for the UE.