The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function (401) for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function (401) creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function (405). The CP function (401) creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function (405) to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function (401) provides the URR CRPL to the UP function (405).

Methods and apparatus for managing quality of service for video streaming, in which a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) in a Policy Charging Control (PCC) architecture of a telecommunications system receives from a Policy Control Enforcement Function (PCEF) a notification indicating that a video service has started for streaming video content to a user equipment (UE). A first Quality of Service (QoS) setting for streaming the video service to the UE is determined. First QoS setting data identifying the first QoS setting is transmitted to the PCEF. The PCEF transmits a further notification to the PCRF indicating that a particular stage has been reached. The PCRF receives the notification from the PCEF. In response to the further notification, a second QoS setting specifying a lower QoS than the first QoS setting for streaming the video service after the particular stage is determined. The PCRF identifies the second QoS setting to the PCEF.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a time-based token based on a time duration specified for a meter. The time-based token indicates the time duration for the meter. The time-based token is further generated based on an identifier of the meter. The headend system transmits the time-based token to the meter via at least a mesh network. After receiving the time-based token, the meter validates the time-based token to determine that the time-based token is generated for the meter based on information related to the identifier of the meter. If the meter determines that the time-based token is valid, the meter connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration specified in the time-based token.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a global token based on a time duration specified for multiple meters that are in communication with the headend system through at least a mesh network in a normal condition. The global token is associated with the time duration and is applicable to the multiple meters. The headend system causes the global token to be broadcast via a broadcast network. After receiving the global token, the meter verifies the global token and determines the time duration associated with the global token. The meter further connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration associated with the global token.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a payment-based token based on a payment made for a meter. The payment-based token indicates a credit value to be applied to the meter. The credit value can range from a negative credit value limit and a positive credit value limit. The payment-based token is further generated based on a meter identifier. The headend system transmits the payment-based token to the meter via at least a mesh network. After receiving the payment-based token, the meter validates the payment-based token to determine that the payment-based token is generated for the meter. The meter further determines the balance associated with the meter based on the credit value specified in the payment-based token. Based on the balance, the meter connects or disconnects premises associated with the meter from a resource supply.

A mobile communications device receives an indication of a balance from a server when establishment of a voice call or sending of a message is requested. The mobile communications device determines whether the balance is sufficient to place the voice call or send the message over a mobile network. If the balance is sufficient to place the voice call or send the message over the mobile network, the voice call is established or the message is sent under normal operating conditions. If the balance is insufficient to place the voice call or send the message over the mobile network, a grace period is activated and the voice call is established or the message is sent during the grace period over an available wireless local-area network.

The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function (401) for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function (401) creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function (405). The CP function (401) creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function (405) to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function (401) provides the URR CRPL to the UP function (405).

A method for accessing a network. In one embodiment, the method includes at least one computer processor identifying a request from a first device to utilize wireless communication capabilities of a second device to communicate with a wireless network. The method further includes generating a secure peer-to-peer communication link between the first device and the second device. The method further includes establishing a wireless communication link between the second device and the wireless network. The method further includes transmitting one or more communications from the first device to the wireless network, via the wireless communication capabilities of the second device.

A mobile device with a disabling feature is disclosed. The method includes activating a mobile device having a timeout feature to disable a function of the mobile device after a set period of time. The period of time may be chosen by a user of the mobile device.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a time-based token based on a time duration specified for a meter. The time-based token indicates the time duration for the meter. The time-based token is further generated based on an identifier of the meter. The headend system transmits the time-based token to the meter via at least a mesh network. After receiving the time-based token, the meter validates the time-based token to determine that the time-based token is generated for the meter based on information related to the identifier of the meter. If the meter determines that the time-based token is valid, the meter connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration specified in the time-based token.