QoS Control Network Entity Subscription Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an improved Quality of Service (QoS) control mechanism to handle QoS capability requests from Over The Top (OTT) Service Providers (SPs) in mobile networks, particularly when these requests conflict with the user's subscription-based QoS limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method and network entity that receive QoS capability requests, retrieve user and SP QoS profiles based on subscriptions, and control authorized QoS by prioritizing requests based on subscription agreements, allowing or rejecting requests accordingly to ensure compliance with maximum allowable QoS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the OTT SP requests a QoS capability that exceeds the user's subscription-based maximum allowable QoS, then the SP's service quality requirement is improved, but the user's subscription agreement is violated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS capabilityVSAvoidsubscription agreement compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the QoS parameter authorization by comparing the requested QoS with the maximum allowable QoS from the user profile, and adjusts the authorized QoS accordingly. When requested QoS exceeds maximum allowable QoS, the system modifies the authorized QoS to comply with subscription limits while still providing service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The network entity acts as an intermediary between the OTT SP and the user's subscription profile. It receives the QoS capability request from the SP, consults the user's QoS profile to determine maximum allowable QoS, and makes the authorization decision based on this intermediate comparison, resolving the conflict between SP requirements and subscription limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network operator strictly enforces the user's maximum allowable QoS based on subscription, then the user's subscription agreement is maintained, but the SP's requested QoS capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription agreement complianceVSAvoidQoS capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the authorized QoS parameter based on the comparison between requested QoS and maximum allowable QoS. When the requested QoS is within limits, full QoS is authorized; when it exceeds limits, the authorized QoS is adjusted to the maximum allowable value, ensuring subscription compliance while providing optimal service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the network operator autonomously determines QoS without explicit user request, then the QoS control process is simplified, but the user's specific QoS requirements may not be met

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS control processVSAvoidQoS requirement fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the user's QoS profile with maximum allowable QoS values based on their subscription before any service request occurs. When a service request comes in, the network entity can quickly compare the requested QoS against these pre-established limits and make authorization decisions without complex real-time negotiations, simplifying the process while ensuring requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3254495B1Method and network entity for QOS control
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3254495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3254495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3254495B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method (200) in a network entity for Quality of Service (QoS) control of a service to be provided by a Service Provider (SP) to a user. The method (200) comprises: receiving (S210) from another network entity a QoS capability request including a QoS requested by the SP for the service; retrieving (S220) a QoS profile of the user from a user database, the QoS profile including a maximum allowable QoS for the user dependent on the user's subscription with a network operator; and controlling (S230) a QoS to be authorized to the service based on the requested QoS and the maximum allowable QoS.