Embodiments manage use of different network connections for data transfer in view of priority information and a data usage plan identifying threshold limits associated with the different network connections. A computing device receives data transfer requests from applications executing on the computing device. The data transfer requests have priority information associated therewith. The computing device compares the priority information with available network connections. One or more of the data transfer requests are selected for initiation based on the comparison and on the threshold limits.

A core network for mobile communication system is provided. The core network includes a first network function (NF) element, a second NF element, and an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) element. The OAM element periodically transmits a resource quota status message to the second NF element to obtain a count number of the resource of first NF element and a limit value of the count number via the second NF element, and adjusts the limit value of the resource of the first NF element according to the count number and the limit value of the resource of the first NF element.

Systems and methods are provided for charging for resource usage by an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The method includes: creating a subscription for the IoT device; estimating, based at least in part on the subscription, a number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time; transmitting a first message including the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time towards an Online Charging System (OCS); and transmitting a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time towards the OCS.

Asynchronous and/or synchronous zero charge telephony protocol systems and methods may include an asynchronous signaling switch and/or a call duration time quota from a synchronous charging onset to place and complete a call. A call request is received with a second device mobile address. The asynchronous systems include instructions to automatically modify the mobile address with a routing prefix when the first device has insufficient balance or independent of balance, route to the asynchronous signaling switch based on an associated modified address trunk path, revert to the call signal at the asynchronous signaling switch, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call immediately when the call is completed. The synchronous systems include instructions to automatically set the call duration time quota upon insufficient balance, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call from the second user mobile device when the call is completed and the call duration time quota is exceeded.

The present disclosure is directed to using distributed ledger architectures. In one example, a distributed ledger system includes a first wireless provider and a second wireless provider configured to provide wireless services to one or more of end users of the first wireless provider to roam on; and a plurality of nodes associated with one or more of the wireless providers. Each of the plurality of nodes is configured to access a digital record of an exchange of wireless services between the first wireless provider and the second wireless provider; enable roaming of the one or more of the end users on the second wireless provider upon detecting a first triggering condition; monitor usage of the wireless services; verify the roaming based on the monitoring of the wireless services; and terminate the roaming of the one or more of the end users upon detecting a second triggering condition.

A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, to allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him or her, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his or her local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.

A service control apparatus (20) according to the present disclosure includes: a communication unit (21) configured to receive a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a service providing apparatus (30) and a communication terminal (10) from the service providing apparatus (30) and a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a service providing apparatus (32) and the communication terminal (10) from the service providing apparatus (32); and a controller (22) configured to determine whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other. When the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, the communication unit (21) transmits a message to the second service providing apparatus (32) requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

Methods and systems for an online charging system to grant resources to a session with a terminal device when the session includes a large file or the session has a long duration. Embodiments the invention include methods performed by an electronic device for online charging in a wireless network. In one embodiment, the electronic device receives a request message for resources to set up a session with a terminal device, where the request message is sent from a core network interface to an online charging function (OCF), and where the request message indicates that the session includes a large file or that the session has a long duration. The electronic device determines that the terminal device has enough credit for the session based on the request message and grants the resources for the session with the terminal device based on the determination.

Embodiments manage use of different network connections for data transfer in view of priority information and a data usage plan identifying threshold limits associated with the different network connections. A computing device receives data transfer requests from applications executing on the computing device. The data transfer requests have priority information associated therewith. The computing device compares the priority information with available network connections. One or more of the data transfer requests are selected for initiation based on the comparison and on the threshold limits.

Methods and apparatuses for data transmission. A method implemented at a first network function may comprise obtaining information related to network slice selection; and sending a reroute message to an access network node, wherein the reroute message including a container comprising at least one information element of the information related to network slicing selection.