An exemplary method includes a subsidized access management system detecting a request provided by a user of an access device for the user to receive subsidized access to network content, identifying a plurality of user parameters provided by the user and that define a plurality of conditions associated with the subsidized access to the network content and that the user is willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to the network content, selecting a sponsor from a pool of potential sponsors and that is willing to sponsor the subsidized access to the network content in accordance with the plurality of user parameters, and providing the user with the subsidized access to the network content by way of the access device in accordance with a subsidized access arrangement between a subsidized access provider and the sponsor. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

A network system for providing one or more services to one or more end-user devices communicatively coupled to the network system over a wireless access network, the network system comprising: a policy enforcement function, a first policy element, a second policy element, and a network element, wherein the network element is communicatively coupled to the policy enforcement function, the first policy element, and the second policy element, and wherein the network element is configured to communicate first policy information between the policy enforcement function and the first policy element, and communicate second policy information between the first policy enforcement function and the second policy element.

A wireless end-user device is disclosed. One or more user inputs indicate that a user of the wireless end-user device authorizes the device to send a first file to a server over a network of a first network type, and that the user does not authorize the device to send a second file to the server over the network of the first type. Based on the one or more user inputs and a determination that the device is connected to the network of the first type, the device sends the first file, but not the second file, to the server over the network of the first network type. Upon detecting that the device is connected to a network of the second network type, the device sends the second file to the server over the network of the second network type.

A network system for providing one or more services to one or more end-user devices communicatively coupled to the network system over a wireless access network, the network system comprising: a policy enforcement function, a first policy element, a second policy element, and a network element, wherein the network element is communicatively coupled to the policy enforcement function, the first policy element, and the second policy element, and wherein the network element is configured to communicate first policy information between the policy enforcement function and the first policy element, and communicate second policy information between the first policy enforcement function and the second policy element.

A wireless end-user device is disclosed. One or more user inputs indicate that a user of the wireless end-user device authorizes the device to send a first file to a server over a network of a first network type, and that the user does not authorize the device to send a second file to the server over the network of the first type. Based on the one or more user inputs and a determination that the device is connected to the network of the first type, the device sends the first file, but not the second file, to the server over the network of the first network type. Upon detecting that the device is connected to a network of the second network type, the device sends the second file to the server over the network of the second network type.

The present application at least describes a computer-implemented method including a step of setting, via a service layer residing on a server outside of an underlying 3GPP network, a trigger in the underlying 3GPP network, where the trigger defines an QoS parameter change in the underlying 3GPP network. The underlying 3GPP network is configured with functionality to send a notification to the service layer upon detecting the QoS parameter change. The computer-implemented method also includes a step of receiving, from the underlying 3GPP network, the notification the detected QoS parameter change has occurred. The computer-implemented method further includes a step of performing, at the service layer residing on the server a service layer operation in response to the received notification.

A technique for operating a mobile station as wireless local-area network [“WLAN”] gateway. The mobile station is provided with a gateway application to control the following operations: activating (3-0) the WLAN means as a WLAN base station capable of communicating with at least one WLAN terminal over a WLAN network; creating a network identifier (3-2, 3-4) for the WLAN base station; assigning (3-8, 3-10) an internet protocol address for the at least one WLAN terminal; resolving domain name service [“DNS”] queries (3-12 . . . 3-18) in cooperation with an external DNS service system; assigning at least one port number for each protocol supported by the gateway application; and tunneling internet traffic (3-30 . . . 3-36) between the at least one WLAN terminal and an internet host over the broadband connection.

The present invention provides a method for providing sponsored communication services in a telecommunication network to loan non-eligible subscribers comprising: receiving, by a proxy device, a communication request originating from an initiating party and forwarding the communication request to a loan granting system; receiving, by the proxy device, a signal indicative of loan refusal (because the subscriber is a loan non-eligible subscriber) from the loan granting system; informing the initiating party, by the proxy device, terms of sponsorship and seeking approval from the initiating party; receiving, by the proxy device, a signal indicative of approval by the initiating party; and sending, by the proxy device, routing information to a routing device for storing in respect of the initiating party, the routing device acting upon the routing information while providing a communication service.

Mechanisms for service layer charging correlation are disclosed. Embodiments can include a Service Domain Charging Correlation Function (SD-CCF), which is responsible for interacting with underlying network and correlating charging information at service layer. Charging correlation information can be used to enable and facilitate the service layer charging correlation.

The present invention provides a method for processing a service connection in a communication network, comprising: A) determining, in response to a establishment request for the service connection from a UE, whether the service corresponding to the establishment request is a sponsored service, wherein the sponsored service is provided by a third party application provider; B) sending a validating request for the sponsored service to the third party application provider, if the service corresponding to the establishment request is a sponsored service; and C) controlling the sponsored service connection according to the information related to the sponsored service, if receiving a successful acknowledgement corresponding to the validating request. And a device corresponding to the method is provided. With the above method, the data connection of the sponsored application service may be dynamically controlled and configured, moreover the requirement of QoS control service can be dynamically met.