Centralized Telecom Resource Allocation for Fair Multi-Operator Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In converged fixed-access and mobile-radio telecommunications networks, there is a need for an improved resource management technique that balances resource allocation among competing mobile operators and fixed customers without disadvantaging existing users, particularly when new resource requirements arise.

Innovation Solution

A centralized resource allocation management module that receives and processes resource requests from both mobile and fixed customers, using predetermined rules and availability information to offer resource allocations, ensuring fair and efficient distribution of virtualized and local loop resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If new resources are allocated to a mobile operator to support new data rates, then the mobile operator's service quality is improved, but other mobile operators and fixed customers may be disadvantaged due to limited total resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidavailable resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a preliminary action by establishing predetermined resource allocation rules before resource requests are processed. These rules define priority levels, quality of service requirements, and allocation criteria in advance, allowing the system to automatically determine resource distribution without ad-hoc decisions that could disadvantage existing users. The centralized module evaluates new resource requests against these pre-established rules to ensure fair allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the centralized resource allocation management module continuously monitors resource usage, allocation status, and service quality metrics. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust resource allocation dynamically, ensuring that new allocations do not compromise the service quality of existing customers. The module can detect when resource allocation is approaching limits and trigger reconfiguration or rejection of new requests to maintain overall network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If resources are shared among multiple mobile operators in a converged network, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but competition between operators for resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the shared resource pool into logically separated allocation domains managed by a centralized module. Each mobile operator's resource requests are processed independently through defined evaluation criteria, allowing efficient resource utilization while maintaining allocation flexibility. The segmentation occurs in the management layer rather than the physical resource layer, enabling both sharing and controlled distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized resource allocation management module serves multiple functions: it allocates resources to different mobile operators, evaluates service quality requirements, enforces predetermined rules, and monitors overall network performance. This universal module handles diverse resource types (bandwidth, computing resources, network capacity) and different operator requirements through a unified approach, maintaining both efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a centralized module manages resource allocation for all customers, then allocation fairness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation fairnessVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized resource allocation management module as an intermediary between resource requests from mobile operators and the physical network resources. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of resource management, presenting a simplified interface to operators while implementing sophisticated allocation logic internally. The module mediates between competing requests using predetermined rules, ensuring fairness without requiring direct complex interactions between operators and resource infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3970401B1Method for managing resources of a converged fixed access and mobile radio telecommunications network, and corresponding computer program product and devices
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ORANGE SA
  • EP3970401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for managing resources of a converged fixed access and mobile radio telecommunications network. Each operator of a plurality of mobile operators has at least one base station connected to a mobile radio portion of the network. According to such a method, a centralised resource allocation management module performs the following steps: reception (P3E211) of at least one request for resources, referred to as a mobile client request, issued either by a mobile radio resource management module of each of the mobile operators, or by a first centralised resource request management module from at least one mobile radio service request previously received from the mobile radio resource management module of each of the mobile operators; sending (P5E221) of at least one resource allocation offer to the mobile radio resource management modules depending on the at least one mobile client request and at least one predetermined resource allocation offer rule.