Controlling operation of a cellular communication network

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-implemented method for controlling a cellular communication network, the method comprising collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network, determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device, mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes, determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device, determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device, determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device and controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

Description

CONTROLLING OPERATION OF A CELLULAR COMMUNICATION NETWORKFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cellular communication networks and more specifically, to controlling operation of such networks.BACKGROUND

[0002] Communication networks may comprise at least core networks and Radio Access Networks, RANs. For example, cellular communication networks comprise a core network tasked with functions affecting the network as a whole, while a RAN enables connectivity to the network to subscribers with User Equipments, UEs, furnished with radio communication capabilities. Controlling operation of cellular communication networks is very important, at least to ensure proper Quality of Service, QoS, for users. There is therefore a need in general to provide enhancements for controlling operation of cellular communication networks.SUMMARY

[0003] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject-matter of the independent claims. Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-implemented method for controlling a cellular communication network, comprising collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network, determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device, mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes, determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device, determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, afunctionality score for each service type of the device, determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device and controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network, means for determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device, means for mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes, means for determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device, means for determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device, means for determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device and means for controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network, determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device, mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes, determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device, determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device, determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device and controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to collect data from a core network of the cellular communication network, determine, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device, map each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes, determine, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device, determine, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device, determine, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device and control the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non- transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to collect data from a core network of the cellular communication network, determine, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device, map each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes, determine, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device, determine, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device, determine, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device and control the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGURE 1 illustrates an example of a cellular communication network in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0010] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example concept in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0011] FIGURE 3A illustrates an example of a weight matrix in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0012] FIGURE 3B illustrates an example of a service quality index matrix in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0013] FIGURE 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments; and

[0014] FIGURE 5 is a flow graph of a computer-implemented method for controlling a cellular communication network in accordance with at least some embodiments.EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Controlling operation of cellular communication networks may be enhanced by the procedures described herein. More specifically, the procedures described herein make it possible for an operator of a cellular communication network to control the cellular communication network to meet the Quality of Service, QoS, requirements of at least one user, such as a user of an end-user device. The cellular communication network may be controlled by taking into account the usage and service requirements of each application of the user. Thus, each service type may be analyzed separately and the cellular communication network controlled according to the requirements of all service types, to provide proper QoS for the user.

[0016] FIGURE 1 illustrates an example of a cellular communication network in accordance with at least some embodiments. FIGURE 1 illustrates cellular communication network 100 comprising Radio Access Network, RAN, 110 and core network 120. RAN 110 further comprises multiple Base Stations, BSs, 112. BSs 112 are configured to operate in accordance with a cellular communication standard, such as 2G, 3G, Long Term Evolution, LTE, 4G, or fifth generation, 5G, also known as New Radio, NR, or any other standard inthe future, for example as specified by the 3rdGeneration Partnership Project, 3 GPP. Each BS 112 is associated with at least one cell 114. That is, each BS 112 is configured provide at least one cell 114 for wireless communication. Communication network 100 may be a single-operator network or a multi-operator network.

[0017] In cellular communication network 100 illustrated in FIGURE 1, each BS 112 provides one cell for wireless communication. In some embodiments, each BS 112 may provide for example three cells for wireless communication, wherein said three cells may provide coverage with an angle of 120 degrees using different frequencies. In some networks, different BSs may be configured to provide different numbers of cells, such as sectorized cells or overlapping cells on different frequency ranges.

[0018] RAN 110 is further in communication with one or more devices 116. Devices 116 may be wireless devices. BSs 112 may communicate with devices 116 over an air interface wirelessly using radio communications, within cells 114. In some embodiments, device 116 may be a User Equipment, UE. Each device 116 may comprise, or be incorporated into, for example, a smartphone, feature phone, tablet or laptop computer, Intemet-of-Things, loT, node, smart wearable or a connected car connectivity module. Naturally, separate devices 116 need not be of a same type. One device 116 may be identified using an identifier of said one device 116, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI, for example.

[0019] Device 116 may be referred to as an end-user device. Alternatively, device 116 may be a Fixed Wireless Access, FWA, device. For example, device 116 may be a Wi-Fi router and multiple end-user devices may be connected to device 116. That is, from the point of view of cellular communication network 100, one or more end-user devices may be behind device 116.

[0020] BSs 112 of RAN 110 are coupled with core network nodes of core network 120 via links, which may comprise wire-line connections, for example. A few of such links are illustrated in FIGURE 1. Core network 120 comprises for example Mobility Management Entities, MMEs, serving gateways and / or Access and Mobility management Functions, AMFs, for example. The core network may comprise a gateway, enabling communication with further networks, via at least one inter-network link. Some aggregate networks may have more than one core network, which are then connected to each other using at least one communication link.

[0021] Core network 120 illustrated in FIGURE 1 further comprises apparatus 122. Apparatus 122 may be configured to monitor cellular communication network 100, in particularly RAN 110. Apparatus 122 may be configured to perform actions to optimize the operation of RAN 110. For instance, apparatus 122 may be an apparatus for network optimization of RAN 110, such as for configuring at least one cell 114 to meet the QoS requirements of the user, i.e., device 116 of the user. In some embodiments, apparatus 122 may be located in RAN 110 or outside of cellular communication network 100, possibly connected to cellular communication network 100 via Internet.

[0022] In cellular communication network 100, mobile network service usage in RAN 110 may be different for each customer, such as a user of device 116. For example, streaming, social media, conference calls, etc., are service types that different customers may use differently. Multiple applications may belong to one service type of multiple service types and QoS requirements are different for each of said multiple service type. For some service types, Downlink, DE, throughput may be the most critical quality attribute but for another service type, the most critical service type may be network latency. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable determination of a customer service quality index for each customer, such as the user of device 116, by taking into account both customer service usage and service requirements. Thus, cellular communication network 100 may be controlled efficiently by taking into account the customer service quality indices, thereby enabling better customer service in communication network 100.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure enable identifying which users have an issue related to the performance of cellular communication network 100, and which users do not. Thus, differentiation of users, and devices of users, is enabled and issues of the users may be dealt with individually. If the issues would be brought into to the knowledge of an operator of cellular communication network 100 via customer feedback, investigation of the issues would take time, thereby decreasing the QoS experienced by the users. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable identification of the issues affecting the QoS before the user contacts the operator and hence, the operator may plan how to control cellular communication network 100 at an early stage. Thus, the amount of customer contacts due to low QoS can be decreased and customer satisfaction increased.

[0024] Apparatus 122 may first collect data from core network 120 of cellular communication network 100. For example, apparatus 122 may use probes and collet datafrom all interfaces of core network 120. Apparatus 122 may further calculate control plane and user plane attributes, such as delay and data throughput, based on the collected data. In some embodiments, relevant data for one device 116 may be linked to said one device 116 based on the IMSI of device 116.

[0025] After that, apparatus 122 may determine, based on the data collected from core network 120, a usage of each application of device 116, e.g., during one week. Apparatus 112 may obtain the usage of each application, e.g., for each device 116 in RAN 110. Apparatus 122 may then map each application to one of multiple service types. Table 1 illustrates service types for some example applications. Table 1 Service types for some example applications

[0026] Each service type has different QoS requirements. The QoS requirements may comprise at least one of DL throughput, Uplink, UL, throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss ratio or Mean Opinion Score, MOS. For example, gaming services require low latency, conference calls require good UL throughput and streaming requires good DL throughput. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable taking into account requirements of each service type separately from the QoS perspective.

[0027] In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, all of the aspects mentioned above may be considered for evaluating the experience of the user. It may be taken into account which applications are being used by the user and how much. In addition, or alternatively, it may be taken into account what kind of QoS values the user is experiencing in cellular communication network 100. Several issues may impact the QoS experienced by the user, such as network coverage and capacity, subscription type, terminal properties, etc. By combining application usage and the QoS values, embodiments of the present disclosure enable accurate calculation of the customer service quality index than just using same weights for each user.

[0028] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example concept in accordance with at least some embodiments. At step 210, apparatus 122 may determine QoS attributes of device 116, such as a user of device 116. For example, apparatus 122 may determine based on the data collected from core network 120 QoS attributes of each application of device 116. An application of device 116 may refer to an application that has been used by device 116 and the user of device 116, e.g., during one week. In some embodiments, applications of which usage has been most important may be taken into account, but not less important applications. For example, it may be required that an application has been used for at least 30 minutes within one week or at least 1 hour within one week. The QoS attributes of each application of device 116 may comprise at least one of DL throughput, UL throughput, latency, packet loss, jitter or MOS.

[0029] At step 220, apparatus 122 may determine a usage of each application of device 116. Apparatus 122 may map each application of device 116 to one of multiple service types, such as streaming, social media, web browsing, gaming, Content Delivery Network, CDN, emailing or voice calls.

[0030] At step 230, apparatus 122 may perform data combining. Apparatus 122 may determine, based on the data collected from core network 120, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes and for each service type associated with device 116. Apparatus 122 may also determine a different set of weights for each service type. Apparatus 122 may combine the data of the usage of each application of device 116 with the service quality indices. For example, apparatus 122 may determine a functionality score for each service type of device 116 based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type. The functionality score of each service type of device 116 may thus define an importance of service of said service type for device 116, and the user of device 116.

[0031] At step 240, apparatus 122 may determine, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for device 116. The customer quality index of device 116 may thus define the performance of cellular communication network 100 with respect to the QoS required by device 116 and the user of device 116. Apparatus 122 may further control cellular communication network 100 using at least the customer service quality index for device 116.

[0032] FIGURE 3A illustrates an example of a weight matrix in accordance with at least some embodiments. Apparatus 122 may determine a different set of weights for multiple QoS attributes based on the weight matrix illustrated in FIGURE 3A. For example, apparatus 122 may determine that the service type of streaming 310a is associated with a first set of weights. The first set of weights comprises {5, 1, 3, 1, 0, 0}, wherein the first weight of the set is for DL throughput 320a, the second weight of the set is for UL throughput 320b, the third weight of the set is for delay 320c, the fourth weight of the set is for jitter 320d, the fifth weight of the set is for packet loss 320e and the sixth weight of the set is for MOS 320f. The set of weights thus defines the importance of each QoS attribute of said multiple QoS weights for each service type.

[0033] Similarly, apparatus 122 may determine that the service type of web browsing 310b is associated with a second set of weights. The second set of weights comprises {3, 0, 5, 0, 0, 0}, wherein the first weight of the set is for DL throughput 320a, the second weight of the set is for UL throughput 320b, the third weight of the set is for delay 320c, the fourth weight of the set is for jitter 320d, the fifth weight of the set is for packet loss 320e and the sixth weight of the set is for MOS 320f. Apparatus 122 may determine similarly the weightsfor the service types of conference call 310c, social media 310d, gaming 310e and voice 31 Of.

[0034] FIGURE 3B illustrates an example of a service quality index matrix in accordance with at least some embodiments. Apparatus 122 may determine one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with device 116.

[0035] For example, if DL throughput 320a is 11 Mbps, apparatus 122 may determine that the service quality index for DL throughput 320a is index 330e, i.e., 5. If UL throughput 320b is 2,5 Mbps, apparatus 122 may determine that the service quality index for UL throughput 320b is index 330d, i.e., 5. If latency 320c is 35ms, apparatus 122 may determine that the service quality index for latency 320c is index 330c, i.e., 3. If jitter 320d is 15ms, apparatus 122 may determine that the service quality index for jitter 320d is index 330e, i.e., 5. If packet loss 320e is 0,3%, apparatus 122 may determine that the service quality index for packet loss 320e is index 330d, i.e., 4. If MOS 320f is 4.1, apparatus 122 may determine that the service quality index for MOS 320f is index 330d, i.e., 5. The service quality indices may thus determine the performance of cellular communication network 100 with respect to each of said multiple QoS attributes.

[0036] In some example embodiments, apparatus 122 may multiply the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of the service type with the corresponding weight, to get a multiplication value for each service type. Apparatus 122 may further sum the multiplication values of each service type, to get a sum and determine the functionality score by dividing the sum of said multiplication values with a sum of the set of weights. For example, apparatus 122 may determine a functionality score for each service type m may be determined as followsc. _ ■ m Equality attributed Weight™ x Service Quality IndexService Functionality171= — - - — — -:— - - (1)Equality attributed Weightn, wherein n is a number of said multiple QoS attributes.

[0037] In some example embodiments, apparatus 122 may determine the customer service quality index for device 116 based at least on a ratio of usage of each service type. Apparatus 122 may determine a ratio of usage of each service type and multiply the ratio ofusage of each service type with the functionality score of each service type, to determine a customer service quality index each service type of device 116. For example, apparatus 122 may determine the customer service quality index for device 116 by calculating a sum of the customer service quality indices., wherein m is a number of said multiple service types.

[0038] The usage of each application of device 116 comprises information about a time how long device 116 has used the application within a time interval. The time interval may be the same for all applications of device 116, e.g., one week.

[0039] As an example, during the time interval the user of device 116 may use Youtube® for 3 hours, wherein Youtube® belongs to a service type of streaming. In addition, during the time interval the user of device 116 may use Elisa Viihde® for 1 ,5 hours, wherein Elisa Viihde® belongs to a service type of streaming. Thus, the service usage time of the service type of streaming is 4,5 hours. The user of device 116 may also use, during the time interval, Facebook® for 4 hours, wherein Facebook® belongs to a service type of social media. In addition, during the time interval the user of device 116 may use Instagram® for 6,5 hours, wherein Instagram® belongs to a service type of social media as well. Thus, the service usage time of the service type of social media is 10,5 hours. The ratio of usage of streaming service type thus is 0,3 and the ratio of usage of social media service type is 0,7.

[0040] With reference to FIGURES 3A and 3B, the following parameters may be used as an example:• DE throughput 320a is 11 Mbps so the service quality index for DL throughput 320a is index 330e, i.e., 5;• UL throughput 320b is 2,5 Mbps so the service quality index for UL throughput 320b is index 330d, i.e., 4;• Latency 320c is 35ms so the service quality index for latency 320c is index 330c, i.e., 3;• Jitter 320d is 15ms so the service quality index for jitter 320d is index 330e, i.e., 5;• Packet loss 320e is 0,3% so the service quality index for packet loss 320e is index 330d, i.e., 4;• MOS 320f is 4.1 so the service quality index for MOS 320f is index 330d, i.e., 5.

[0041] With such example parameters, apparatus 122 may determine the functionality score for a first service type by performing the following calculations:, wherein the first service type is the streaming service type, and for a second service type by performing the following calculations:, wherein the second service type is the social media service type.

[0042] Apparatus 122 may then determine the customer service quality index of device 116 by performing the following calculation:Customer Service Quality Index = 0,3 * 4,3 + 0,7 * 4,22 = 4,24 (1)

[0043] After determining the customer service quality index of device 116, apparatus 122 may control cellular communication network 100 based on the customer service quality index. For example, if the customer service quality index of device 116 is below a threshold, apparatus 122 may identify that there is at least one issue related to the QoS determined by device 116 and trigger further analysis about the root cause of the at least one issue. Alternatively, or in addition, apparatus 122 may for example order a cell change of device 116 and / or allocate more resources for device 116 in RAN 110. If the customer service quality index of device 116 is above the threshold, apparatus 122 may determine that there is no need to perform any action and control cellular communication network 100 as before, at least with respect to device 116. Alternatively, or in addition, apparatus 122 may for example allocate less resources for device 116 in RAN 110.

[0044] In some embodiments, the customer service quality index may give a technical value for customer satisfaction. For example, the customer service quality index may be correlated with a Net Promoter Score, NPS, value, which may comprise all aspects like billing, pricing, marketing etc. The customer service quality index may give insight into technical performance of cellular communication network 100 and / or RAN 110. The customer service quality index may be proactively used to target network enhancement activities to correct areas. The customer service quality index may be used to evaluate the network change management or fault impact to customer performance.

[0045] FIGURE 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments. Illustrated is device 400, which may comprise, for example, apparatus 122 configured to perform the herein disclosed network control method. Comprised in device 400 is processor 410, which may comprise, for example, a single- or multi-core processor wherein a single-core processor comprises one processing core and a multi-core processor comprises more than one processing core. Processor 410 may comprise, in general, a control device. Processor 410 may comprise more than one processor. When processor 410 comprises more than one processor, device 400 may be a distributed device wherein processing of tasks takes place in more than one physical unit. Processor 410 may be a control device. A processing core may comprise, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core manufactured by ARM Holdings or a Zen processing core designed by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. Processor 410 may comprise at least one AMD Opteron and / or Intel Xeon processor. Processor 410 may comprise at least one application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC. Processor 410 may comprise at least one field-programmable gate array, FPGA. Processor 410 may be means for performing method steps in device 400, and causing performance of the method steps, such as determining, sorting and / or configuring. Processor 410 may be configured, at least in part by computer instructions, to perform actions.

[0046] Device 400 may comprise memory 420. Memory 420 may comprise randomaccess memory and / or permanent memory. Memory 420 may comprise at least one RAM chip. Memory 420 may comprise solid-state, magnetic, optical and / or holographic memory, for example. Memory 420 may be at least in part accessible to processor 410. Memory 420 may be at least in part comprised in processor 410. Memory 420 may be means for storing information. Memory 420 may comprise computer instructions that processor 410 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 420, and device 400 overall is configured torun under the direction of processor 410 using computer instructions from memory 420, processor 410 and / or its at least one processing core may be considered to be configured to perform said certain actions. Memory 420 may be at least in part comprised in processor 410. Memory 420 may be at least in part external to device 400 but accessible to device 400. Memory 420 may be non-transitory.

[0047] Device 400 may comprise a transmitter 430. Device 400 may comprise a receiver 440. Transmitter 430 and receiver 440 may be configured to transmit and receive, respectively, information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. Transmitter 430 may comprise more than one transmitter. Receiver 440 may comprise more than one receiver. Transmitter 430 and / or receiver 440 may be configured to operate in accordance with Ethernet and / or signalling system 7, SS7, standards, for example.

[0048] Processor 410 may be furnished with a transmitter arranged to output information from processor 410, via electrical leads internal to device 400, to other devices comprised in device 400. Such a transmitter may comprise a serial bus transmitter arranged to, for example, output information via at least one electrical lead to memory 420 for storage therein. Alternatively to a serial bus, the transmitter may comprise a parallel bus transmitter. Likewise processor 410 may comprise a receiver arranged to receive information in processor 410, via electrical leads internal to device 400, from other devices comprised in device 400. Such a receiver may comprise a serial bus receiver arranged to, for example, receive information via at least one electrical lead from receiver 440 for processing in processor 410. Alternatively to a serial bus, the receiver may comprise a parallel bus receiver.

[0049] Device 400 may comprise further devices not illustrated in FIGURE 4. In some embodiments, device 400 lacks at least one device described above.

[0050] Processor 410, memory 420, transmitter 430 and / or receiver 440 may be interconnected by electrical leads internal to device 400 in a multitude of different ways. For example, each of the aforementioned devices may be separately connected to a master bus internal to device 400, to allow for the devices to exchange information. However, as the skilled person will appreciate, this is only one example and depending on the embodiment various ways of interconnecting at least two of the aforementioned devices may be selected without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIGURE 5 is a flow graph of a computer-implemented method for controlling a cellular communication network in accordance with at least some embodiments. The phases of the illustrated method may be performed for example by apparatus 122, or a control device configured the operation of apparatus 122, possibly when installed therein.

[0052] At phase 510, the method may comprise collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network. At phase 520, the method may comprise determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device. At phase 530, the method may comprise mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes. At phase 540, the method may comprise determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device. At phase 550, the method may comprise determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device. At phase 560, the method may comprise determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device. Finally, the method may comprise, at step 570, controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

[0053] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the disclosure disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0054] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0055] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present disclosure may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present disclosure.

[0056] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the preceding description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

[0057] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0058] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0059] At least some embodiments of the present disclosure find industrial application in cellular communication networks.ACRONYMS LIST3 GPP 3rdGeneration Partnership Project5G Fifth GenerationAMF Access and Mobility management FunctionCDN Content Delivery NetworkCPU Central Processing UnitDL DownlinkFWA Fixed Wireless AccessIMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity loT Internet of ThingsMIMO Multiple Input Multiple OutputML Machine LearningMME Mobility Management EntitiesMOS Mean Opinion ScoreNPS Net Promoter ScoreNR New RadioQoS Quality of ServiceRAN Radio Access NetworkUE User EquipmentUL UplinkWLAN Wireless Local Area NetworkREFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Claims

CLAIMS1. A computer-implemented method for controlling a cellular communication network, the method comprising:- collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network;- determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device;- mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes;- determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device;- determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device;- determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device; and- controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said multiple service types comprise at least one of: streaming, web browsing, conference call, social media, gaming or voice.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the data collected from the core network is related to a mobile network service usage of the device in a radio access network of the cellular communication network.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the usage of each application of the device comprises information about a time how long the device has used the application within a time interval.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the QoS attributes comprise at least two of: downlink throughput, uplink throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss or mean opinion score.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:- multiplying the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of the service type with the corresponding weight, to get a multiplication value for each service type;- summing the multiplication values of each service type, to get a sum; and- determining the functionality score by dividing the sum of said multiplication values with a sum of the set of weights.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:- determining the functionality score for each service type m by calculating:, wherein n is a number of said multiple QoS attributes.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:- determining the customer service quality index for the device based at least on a ratio of usage of each service type.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:- determining a ratio of usage of each service type and multiplying the ratio of usage of each service type with the functionality score of each service type, to determine a customer service quality index of each service type of the device; and- determining the customer service quality index for the device by calculating a sum of the customer service quality indices of the service types.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising:- determining the customer service quality index for the device by calculating:Z m Service Usage Timemx Service Functionalitym- - -Total Time service type, wherein m is a number of said multiple service types.

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method is performed by an apparatus located in the core network of the cellular communication network.

12. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to:- collect data from a core network of the cellular communication network;- determine, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device;- map each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes;- determine, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device;- determine, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device;- determine, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device; and- control the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method according to any of claims 2 to 11.

14. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out- collecting data from a core network of the cellular communication network;- determining, based on the data collected from the core network, a usage of each application of a device;- mapping each application of the device to one of multiple service types, wherein each service type is associated with a different set of weights for multiple Quality of Service, QoS, attributes;- determining, based on the data collected from the core network, one service quality index for each of said multiple QoS attributes of each service type associated with the device;- determining, based at least on the service quality index of each of said multiple QoS attributes of a service type and the set of weights associated with the service type, a functionality score for each service type of the device;- determining, based at least on the usage of each application and the functionality score of the corresponding service type, a customer service quality index for the device; and- controlling the cellular communication network based at least on the customer service quality index of the device.

15. The computer program according to claim 14 further comprising instructions which cause, when the program is executed by the apparatus, the apparatus to carry out a method according to any of claims 2 to 11.

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