PCRF Policy Control for Sponsored Data Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCC architectures face challenges in providing data connectivity services between user terminals, especially when one terminal has a limited or no data plan, leading to insufficient data quota for service delivery, which prevents the establishment of services like video conferencing or gaming.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a network node hosting a PCRF determines the lack of available data quota and notifies an AF, which then requests the second user terminal to sponsor the data connectivity of the first user terminal, allowing the service to proceed by deducting the data usage from the sponsoring terminal's account.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user terminal with a limited or no data plan attempts to access a data connectivity service, then the service can be provided to users, but the user terminal lacks sufficient data quota to establish the service connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sponsorship mechanism where a second user terminal acts as an intermediary to provide data quota to the first user terminal. The PCRF determines the need for sponsorship, the AF coordinates the sponsorship request, and the second user terminal donates data quota from their account, enabling the service connection without requiring the first terminal to have sufficient data quota
2Adaptability or versatility
If the PCC architecture implements sponsorship functionality to enable data connectivity for users with limited data plans, then service delivery is improved, but the architecture complexity and implementation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing PCC architecture components (PCRF and AF) to perform multiple functions. The PCRF not only performs its traditional policy control functions but also determines sponsorship needs and manages data quota allocation. The AF not only performs application function operations but also coordinates sponsorship requests and notifications. This multi-functionality avoids adding entirely new network elements, thereby limiting architecture complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for providing a service requiring data connectivity between at least two user terminals (100, 500), a first PCRF (400) determines (s20) that there is no available data quota associated with a first user terminal (500) for the data connectivity required for the service to be provided. The first PCRF (400) notifies (s30) an AF (300) about the determination, which in turns notifies (s40) an application service provider (200). The application service provider (200) requests (s50) a second user terminal (100) to sponsor the data connectivity of the first user terminal (500) so as to permit the data connectivity required for the service to be provided. The invention also relates to network nodes for participating in providing such services, and to user terminals and computer programs.