Patent ID: 8260959
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a communications network controller to control a communications network which offers services including a dynamically-priced service and a fixed-price service, said method comprising operating said communications network controller to: store utility data representing a utility of one or more corresponding levels of communication resource available from said communications network for a communication; store resource stability data indicative of a stability in the amount of said communications resource provided by said communications network when operated to provide said fixed price service for said communication; store price stability data indicative of a stability in the price of said dynamically-priced service offered by said communications network; calculate, from said resource stability data, a measure of a likelihood of a predetermined variation occurring in an amount of resource provided by said communications network for said communication when operated to provide said fixed price service at a future time during said communication; calculate, in dependence upon said stored utility data, a measure of a likelihood of the price of said dynamically-priced service reaching a marginal price which would result in said predetermined variation occurring in the amount of resource provided for said communication by said communications network when operated to provide said dynamically-priced service at a future time during said communication; select between said dynamically-priced service and said fixed-price service in dependence upon calculated likelihood measures for said dynamically-priced service and said fixed price service; and control said communications network to provide said selected service for said communication.