Access Network Selection Policy Enforcement via Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access network selection policies in wireless networks lack effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, particularly in LTE and 3GPP evolved packet systems, leading to non-compliance by user equipment with network operators' guidelines, which can result in inefficient resource allocation and service quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows network operators to monitor and enforce access network selection policies by coupling them with policy control and charging functionality, using elements like the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to verify compliance and enforce policies through charging adjustments or QoS modifications, and notify users of non-compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access network selection policies are provided to user equipment, then users can find preferred access networks for their needs, but there is no effective monitoring and enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with network operators' guidelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network operator receives information from the user equipment about its selected access network and compares it against the provided policy guidelines. This closed-loop feedback system enables monitoring of compliance and allows the network operator to detect and respond to policy violations, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to overrule access network selection guidance, then user autonomy is improved, but network resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to non-compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism monitors when users deviate from recommended access networks and enables the network operator to respond appropriately. This allows user autonomy to be maintained while providing a means to detect and address non-compliance, thereby protecting network resource allocation efficiency through informed user behavior and potential operator interventions.
3Reliability
If policy control and charging functionality is coupled with access network selection, then compliance monitoring is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional policy control and charging functionality already present in 3GPP networks. By coupling access network selection monitoring with these existing universal functions, the system achieves reliable policy enforcement without adding entirely new complex subsystems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enforcement capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for receiving access network selection information, and obtaining information about whether the received information complies with operator's access network selection policy.