System and techniques for a virtual private network are described herein. A plurality of host beacons may be obtained. Here, each beacon corresponds to a backhaul and includes an endpoint performance data structure. A set of endpoint performance data structures may be extracted from the plurality of host beacons. The set of endpoint performance data structures may be sorted based on a set of fields of members of the set of endpoint performance data structures. Entrance to a backhaul for a host corresponding to an endpoint performance data structure at an end of the sorted set of endpoint performance data structures may be negotiated.

The present disclosure provides details on an intermediary service bureau (ISB) system which includes an ISB center that acts as an intermediary communication center between communication devices used by correctional facilities and contract providers. The ISB records communications, stores security data, and provides front end processing to facilitate an inmate to communicate with an outside party by way of a contract provider. Further, the ISB provides accounting services for inmates and friends and family that use services provided the contract provider. The contract provider provides security and routing services for the ISB by obtaining data from the ISB and updating data at the ISB according to the communications.

Systems and methods are provided for granting service units associated with a charging session for providing network service to an end user. The method includes receiving a request message for the network service; selecting one or more offerings associated with the received request message prior to applying quota determination rules, where each offering includes one or more associated resources. The method further includes applying quota determination rules to the selected one or more offerings based on the associated resources, and rating the service request based on the selected one or more offerings and the results of applying the quota determination rules, where the rating results in an assigned quota. The method further includes transmitting the assigned quota for the requested service, where the assigned quota includes the granted service units.

The present disclosure provides details on an intermediary service bureau (ISB) system which includes an ISB center that acts as an intermediary communication center between communication devices used by correctional facilities and contract providers. The ISB records communications, stores security data, and provides front end processing to facilitate an inmate to communicate with an outside party by way of a contract provider. Further, the ISB provides accounting services for inmates and friends and family that use services provided the contract provider. The contract provider provides security and routing services for the ISB by obtaining data from the ISB and updating data at the ISB according to the communications.

Techniques and apparatus for providing payment-based transmission processes are described. In one embodiment, for example, a network node may include a storage device, and logic, at least a portion of the logic implemented in circuitry coupled to the storage device. The logic may operate to provide a routing query to transmit information over a network, the routing query comprising at least one destination node for the information and a transmission value, receive at least one bid from at least one bidding node in response to the routing query, determine a path through the network to transmit the information anonymously based on the at least one bid that corresponds to the transmission value, and transmit the information at least partially anonymously via the path within a network packet encrypted in a number of layers of encryption corresponding to a number of intermediary nodes in the path. Other embodiments are described.

Disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, and a radio resource controller that may receive a request for radio resources from a user device. Disclosed embodiments may also determine a value ascribed to the requested radio resources. The ascribed value may reflect at least a qualitative or quantitative importance of the requested radio resources to a user of the user device. Additionally, disclosed embodiments may schedule radio resources based on the ascribed value.

A system and method for automatically negotiating Internet access between a user and one of a plurality of Internet connection providers. Users can buy or bid for Internet bandwidth, for example, through a server or website or by direct communications with an Internet access point such as, for example, a WIFI access point.

The present system relates to a server for providing data connectivity in a packet mode communication network. The server has a processor arranged to receive, via a first brokerage control unit, a charging rule request to allow one or more communication devices in the communication network to exchange with an application server data charged under operator specific billing. The server determines availability of the operator specific billing based on network parameters and the charging rule request, and updates the database of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) entity in the communication network based on available operator specific billing and an identifier for the application server, for subsequent charging of data exchanged with the application server at said available operator specific billing.

A process for selecting an optimal individual user solution including an optimal rate allocation and associated price for a predetermined bandwidth of cellular network resources includes application of an iterative process and selection from multiple proposed user solutions. The inputs to the iterative process include at least an initial user bid, an initial network rate allocation, a generated user utility function and the cost data. The user utility function includes multiple application user functions. Optimal solution selection includes comparing each multiple proposed user rate allocation with the initial network rate allocation for the user and selecting the closest multiple proposed user rate allocation to the initial network rate allocation. The process may be applied to aggregated cellular carrier scenarios.

Disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, and a radio resource controller that may receive a request for radio resources from a user device. Disclosed embodiments may also determine a value ascribed to the requested radio resources. The ascribed value may reflect at least a qualitative or quantitative importance of the requested radio resources to a user of the user device. Additionally, disclosed embodiments may schedule radio resources based on the ascribed value.