Machine-to-machine network optimization and online charging
Systems and methods for improving efficiency in a mobile communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method for conserving network resources comprises releasing network resources related to a User Equipment (“UE”) session at one or more network nodes without notifying the UE. A subset of the session information that can be used to connect with the UE is stored at a network node. If data is received for the UE, the stored subset of information can be used to 1) establish network resources related to the UE that were previously released and 2) deliver the data to the UE. In another embodiment, shared data resources are granted to one or more subscribers associated with a Designated User Group (“DUG”). An online charging session is assigned to the DUG that identifies policy data for granting shared data resources to the Designated User Group.
1. A method for conserving network resources in a mobile communications network, the method being implemented by a first network node, the method comprising:
determining that each of a plurality of members of a device user group (“DUG”) has been inactive for more than a predetermined period of time, wherein the plurality of members includes a User Equipment (“UE”) associated with an existing UE session;
in response to determining that each of the plurality of members has been inactive for more than the predetermined period of time:
identifying a subset of information related to the existing UE session, wherein the subset of information can be used to create a new UE session associated with the UE;
storing the subset of information;
releasing network resources associated with the existing UE session at the first network node, wherein the UE is not notified of said releasing; and
transmitting a release cause code to a second network node, wherein the release cause code causes the second network node to release local network resources at the second network node without notifying the UE about releasing the local network resources;
receiving a request to transfer data to the UE;
creating the new UE session using the subset of session information and establishing network resources associated with the new UE session at the first network node and the second network node; and
transferring the data to the UE using the new UE session.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of information comprises UE IP Address, Page Information, and Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Serving Gateway (SGW) Information.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said storing the subset of information comprises storing information at a Packet Gateway (“PGW”).
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said storing the subset of information comprises storing information at a node connected to a Packet Gateway (“PGW”).
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said storing the subset of information comprises storing information in a session database.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
prior to determining that each of the plurality of members of the DUG has been inactive for more than the predetermined period of time, the first network node comprises the subset of information and additional information related to the existing UE session;
the subset of information is stored in a session database in response to determining that each of the plurality of members of the DUG has been inactive for more than the predetermined period of time; and
releasing the network resources comprises purging the additional information from the first network node without storing the additional information in the session database.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first network node comprises a Packet Gateway (PGW); and
the second network node comprises a Serving Gateway (SGW).
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first network node comprises a Serving Gateway (SGW); and
the second network node comprises a Mobility Management Entity (MME).
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that are executable by one or more processors to cause a first network node to:
determine that each of a plurality of members of a device user group (“DUG”) has been inactive for more than a predetermined period of time, wherein the plurality of members includes a User Equipment (“UE”) associated with an existing UE session;
in response to determining that each of the plurality of members has been inactive for more than the predetermined period of time:
identify a subset of information related to the existing UE session, wherein the subset of information can be used to create a new UE session associated with the UE;
store the subset of information;
release network resources associated with the existing UE session at the first network node, wherein the UE is not notified of said releasing;
transmit a release cause code to a second network node, wherein the release cause code causes the second network node to release local network resources at the second network node without notifying the UE about releasing the local network resources;
receive a request to transfer data to the UE;
create a new UE session using the stored subset of session information and establishing network resources associated with the new UE session at the first network node and the second network node; and
transfer the data to the UE using the new UE session.
10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the subset of information comprises UE IP Address, Page Information, and Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Serving Gateway (SGW) Information.
11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the first network node comprises a Packet Gateway (“PGW”) or a node connected to a PGW.
12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein said storing the subset of information comprises storing information in a session database.