Policy Enhancement Module for Roaming QoS Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Current policy and charging control architectures for roaming subscribers in next-generation networks do not allow visited networks to dictate quality of service (QoS) attributes, leading to suboptimal user experience and missed marketing opportunities for high-usage roamers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for selective policy enhancement (PE) that modifies QoS attributes for roaming subscribers by using a PE module to analyze usage data and temporarily boost policy or QoS attributes within the provider network, allowing network operators to enhance the experience of high-usage roamers and offer them improved services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If policy rules are retrieved from the home network PCRF for roaming subscribers, then the roaming subscriber receives consistent QoS as in home network, but the visited network cannot dictate policy or QoS attributes and cannot fully utilize marketing opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the policy control function into two parts: the home network PCRF maintains authoritative policy rules for consistent QoS, while the visited network introduces a local Policy Enhancement module that can selectively override specific QoS attributes. This segmentation allows both home network reliability and visited network adaptability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing the visited network to modify only specific QoS attributes (such as bandwidth or priority) for particular roaming subscribers based on local conditions and marketing strategies, while leaving other policy attributes unchanged to maintain home network QoS consistency. This selective modification enables adaptability without compromising overall reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If visited network modifies QoS attributes for roaming subscribers, then marketing opportunities are utilized and user experience is enhanced, but the original policy control architecture is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the visited network's Policy Enhancement module prepare and store potential QoS modifications in advance, based on pre-defined enhancement rules and subscriber profiles. These modifications are only applied when specific conditions are met, allowing the visited network to act adaptively while maintaining policy control integrity through pre-approved modification frameworks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary Policy Enhancement module that sits between the home network PCRF and the network elements enforcing QoS. This intermediary receives policy rules from the home network, applies selective enhancements based on visited network criteria, and forwards the modified rules for enforcement. The intermediary ensures that modifications are controlled and traceable, preserving policy control integrity while enabling visited network adaptability.
3Device complexity
If best-effort data delivery is used, then network complexity is reduced, but QoS control is insufficient for next generation networks where signaling and data traffic paths are separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the Policy Enhancement module multi-functional by enabling it to perform multiple roles: receiving policy rules from home network PCRF, modifying QoS attributes based on visited network criteria, and forwarding enhanced rules to enforcement points. This universal module handles both policy inheritance and local enhancement functions, maintaining network architecture simplicity while providing reliable QoS control.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for modifying policy information associated with a roaming subscriber. The method includes receiving a first signaling message. The first signaling message includes a policy or quality of service (QoS) attribute associated with a roaming subscriber and originating from a home network of the roaming subscriber. The method also includes determining, using information associated with the roaming subscriber or a provider network, that the policy or QoS attribute should be modified and modifying the policy or QoS attribute for application in the provider network.