Abstract:
A method is provided of providing a service to a user terminal. According to this method, a first network agrees with the user terminal to provide the service at a certain charge rate, then starts to provide the service. Subsequently at least one other network is invited by the first network to provide the service. The first network receives at least one offer from the other networks to provide the service to the user terminal. The first network then accepts one of the offers, such that the one of said other networks thereafter provides the service and charges the user terminal without the first network being involved.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the handling of services in telecommunications networks.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0002]     Agent-based architectures have been suggested as a way of managing telecommunication systems, in particular wireless telecommunication systems. Agent-based architectures are a form of distributed computing where distributed autonomous software entities interact with each other. These software entities are referred to as negotiation agents, or simply, agents.  
         [0003]     In a telecommunications environment, an agent-based architecture allows the charge rate for a service requested by a user to be negotiated. The charge rate can depend on the nature of the service, for example video streaming or voice. Other factors are the current channel conditions to the user terminal, where the user terminal is wireless, and also network conditions, such as current interference levels and level of network loading.  
         [0004]     These other factors vary during the provision of the service to the user, sometimes very dramatically. For example, the attenuation due to channel conditions can vary by more than 100 dB when the user terminal moves. Also, as the user terminal moves, the user terminal can experience varying levels of interference to signals received from the network. This interference is due to nearby cells using channels of frequency bands that overlap. In consequence of these variations, a large amount of network resources can sometimes be required to handle calls to some user terminals. This can give rise to network congestion, possibly leading to calls being dropped.  
         [0005]     Despite these variations, it should be noted that the charge rate for the service has been negotiated in advance, and so remains constant. In consequence, the negotiated charge rate for the service may no longer be proportionate to the radio resources expended by the network. In particular, networks can be saddled with providing services to some user terminals that unfortunately require a large amount of the network&#39;s resources, such as transmit power, although paying little. For example, a user terminal that is initially cheap to support in terms of network resources, can become expensive to support in terms of network resources, should it move to a location experiencing worse radio attenuation conditions. This is frustrating to the network operator, particularly when the user terminal, as a result of the changing radio conditions, has a much better signal path to a network of a competing operator.  
         [0006]     One way around this problem is by sub-contracting. Sub-contracting is where the operator of a first network retains the business relationship with the user, but pays an operator of the second network to provide the requested service. Accordingly the first network remains involved at least to the extent of charging the user for the service. Such an approach has disadvantages. There is a lack of transparency to the user as to which network is providing the service. Furthermore, penalties for dropped calls, or poor quality of service, are not necessarily associated with the operator of the network that provides the service.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The inventors realised that it would be advantageous for networks to be able to negotiate to transfer a service to a user from one network to another. Accordingly, an example of the present invention is a method of providing a service to a user terminal. According to this method, a first network agrees with the user terminal to provide the service at a certain charge rate, then starts to provide the service. Subsequently at least one other network is invited by the first network to provide the service. The first network receives at least one offer from the other networks to provide the service to the user terminal. The first network then accepts one of the offers, such that one of said other networks thereafter provides the service and charges the user terminal without the first network being involved.  
         [0008]     A system can be provided in which networks negotiate in order to trade a contract to provide a service to a user terminal whilst that service is being provided. The contract can be transferred when, for example, the radio channel conditions, the interference, or the network loading of the first network is such that the service could better be provided by a second network.  
         [0009]     The transfer of service to a user from one network to another network can occur when a user terminal, which is wireless, experiences better radio conditions in respect of that another network. In consequence, less network resources are required to provide the service to the user. As a result, the networks can provide services to more users at a time overall. In other words, system capacity is increased.  
         [0010]     The present invention also provides a corresponding approach whereby other base stations within a network can bid to take over a service to a user being provided by a first base station. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a telecommunications system (a) during negotiation to transfer provision of a service to a user from a first network to a second network, and (b) after the negotiation has been completed;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating the negotiation process referred to in respect of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a telecommunications system (a) during negotiation to transfer part of a service being provided to a user, and (b) after that negotiation has been completed; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a telecommunications system (a) during negotiation between base stations of a network for transfer of provision of a service to a user terminal, and (b) after the negotiation has been completed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first radio access network (RAN)  10  includes a software entity that is a negotiation agent  12 . A second radio access network  14  also includes a corresponding software entity of a negotiation agent  16 . The networks  10 , 14  are radio access networks such as Global System for Mobiles (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) networks. These networks can provide data, voice, video or other services. Each network  10 , 14  is under the control of a corresponding operator. The networks  10 , 14  overlap in their areas of coverage such that a user terminal at a location can connect to one of several networks.  
         [0017]     Another software entity, which is also a negotiation agent, is provided, known as a broker  18 . User terminals  20 , which are mobile, are provided, one of which is shown in  FIG. 1  for simplicity. Each mobile user terminal  20  includes within itself a software entity, which is a negotiation agent, known as a user agent  22 .  
         [0018]     The broker  18  exchanges data with the user terminal  20  and networks  10 , 14 . In particular, the broker  18  provides auctioning mechanisms so as to negotiate contracts for provision of a service to a user terminal  20 . Specifically this is done by communications between the broker  18  and the agents  12 , 16  of each network  10 , 14  and the user agent  22  of the user terminal  20 .  
         [0019]     In this example, the agents  12 , 16  of the networks reside in their respective networks  10 , 14 , although in other embodiments they need not do so. In this example, the broker  18  resides on a processor (not shown) separate from the networks  10 , 14 , although again, in other examples the broker could reside elsewhere, for example in one of the networks. The user agent  22  resides, in this example on the mobile terminal  20 , but in other examples could reside elsewhere, such as in a separate processor or in one of the networks.  
         [0020]     Before a service to a user terminal  20  is provided, the broker  18  conducts an initial auction between the networks  10 , 14 , as to which will provide the requested service. The broker  18  awards the contract to provide the service to the user terminal  20  to the network which wins that auction, in this case network  10 . The contract relates what type of service will be supplied by the network  10  for what cost to the user in return. The cost is such as charge rate per unit time or charge rate per amount of data transferred.  
         [0021]     Whilst the service is being provided to the user terminal  20  via the first network  10 , if radio channel conditions deteriorate or interference levels increase for example, the broker  18  interacts further with the corresponding agents  12 , 16  of the networks  10 , 14  in order to determine whether the contract will be transferred to the second network  14 . If the result of the negotiation is that the contract is transferred, as shown in  FIG. 2 , then the second network  14  instead provides the remaining portion of the service.  
         [0000]     Negotiation Process  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows the negotiation process by which a service to a user terminal  20  can be transferred between networks  10 , 14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a service to a user is initially provided by way of a call connection to the first network  10  (step a). During the call, the radio channel conditions can deteriorate or the interference increases (step b). By considering the interference level, or resources required to continue providing a service to the user despite the poor radio channel conditions, the first network  10  decides to put the contract associated with the user terminal up for sale (step c) in an attempt to increase revenue by making resources available for more lucrative contracts with other users. From considering the details of the contract provided from the broker  18  to the agent  16  of the second network  14 , the agent  16  decides to bid for the contract with the mobile terminal  20 . This bid is then made (step d). Details of the bid are then passed via the broker  18  to the agent  12  of the first network  10 . The agent  12  then makes a decision (step e) whether or not to accept the bid. If agent  12  decides (step h) not to accept the bid, the contract is not transferred (step i) and accordingly, the first network  10  continues to provide the service to the mobile terminal  20 . On the other hand, if the agent  16  decides to accept the bid the second network  14  is so informed, and accordingly, the rest of the service is provided to the mobile terminal  20  by the second network  14 . The second network  14  charges the user terminal at the same charge rate as previously agreed between the user terminal  20  and the first network  10  in the contract.  
         [0023]     The contract is for provision of a service to a particular user terminal during a single session. During the session, the transfer to a different network can occur. In another example (not shown), which is otherwise similar, contracts are longer term, covering multiple sessions, so the transfer can occur during a session or between the sessions.  
         [0024]     For simplicity, only two networks  10 ,  14  are shown in  FIG. 1 . Other networks can also bid to take over the contract with a view to providing the user terminal  20  with the service for the remaining portion of the session.  
         [0000]     Triggers to Inviting Other Networks to Take Over  
         [0025]     This approach of offering up a contract with a user for possible acquisition by other networks has a number of consequential advantages. Networks can rid themselves of users suffering weak channel conditions or high interference and so using up most of the resources. In consequence there is less likelihood of calls being dropped. All the networks involved get the benefit of being able to offload resource-greedy users to other networks where they are less greedy. The result is a win-win situation for all the networks involved. In consequence networks can handle services to more users at any one time. Particularly in congested systems, the overall system capacity is automatically optimised in consequence.  
         [0026]     This approach is particularly useful when radio conditions change relatively slowly because then the agent architecture has time to react by having the networks trade the contract.  
         [0027]     Another reason for a network deciding to offer up a contract is where there is high interference causing a higher transmit power to be required, and in some cases even causing a risk that the service to the mobile user terminal will be dropped. Another reason is simply to free up resources in a heavily loaded network.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments, the network currently handling the contract can decide to offer the contract to other networks on the basis that it will thereby free up resources for higher value customers without dropping calls. Accordingly the contract can be offered up even when there is no deterioration in channel conditions or increase in interference or loading.  
         [0000]     Quality of Service  
         [0029]     In many scenarios, the second network  14  undertakes to provide a sufficiently good service, for example avoiding excess of delays, that the quality of service guarantees associated with the contract are met in full. In consequence the operator of the first network  10  pays no penalty to the user on transferring the contract to the operator of the second network  14 . A penalty is a refund to, or reduction in charge to, the user. Even where the agent  16  associated with the second network  14  cannot guarantee the same high level of quality of service, then contract sale is still possible on the basis that a reduced quality service will be provided. However in this case, the operator of the first network  10  pays an associated penalty to the user for the reduction in quality of service. In many scenarios, the contract has a graduated series of penalties corresponding to the degree of degradation of quality of service. Particularly as the penalty due to a quality service reduction is likely to be less than that suffered if the user were completely dropped, contract transfer and consequential service provision by a second network, may well still be worthwhile from the point of view of the first network.  
         [0000]     Transferring Part of a Contract  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 3  rather than a whole contract being transferred to another network, a contract can be split. As shown in  FIG. 3  ( a ) the initial contract is for provision of a voice and video service to the mobile terminal. The first network  10 ′ which provides this service becomes congested due to additional users therefore the first network  10 ′ decides to sell the video part of the contract to a competing network, whilst keeping the voice part of the contract as this requires little resources. Accordingly, the original contract is split into two, namely a contract for the voice service and a contract for the video service. As shown in  FIG. 3  ( b ) as a result of the negotiation the contract for the video service passes to the second network  14 ′ in consequence, the second network  14 ′ provides the video service to the mobile terminal  20 ′ from then onwards. Note that both the first network  10 ′ and second network  14 ′ then have a business relationship with the user terminal  20 ′ in providing the requested services. However, the total price to the user remains the same even though the voice and video transmissions are provided by different networks  10 ′,  14 ′. The two networks  10 ′,  14 ′, can of course be radio access networks of different types, such as WLAN, UMTS, and GSM.  
         [0000]     Negotiation Between Base Stations in a Single Network  
         [0031]     Examples have been presented as to how contracts can be transferred between networks. Alternatively a contract can be transferred between different portions of one network, as shown in  FIG. 4 , on a similar basis.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 4  one radio access network  10 ″ includes two base stations  24 , 26 . In this scenario, the base stations  24 , 26 , each including an associated agent (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 4  ( a ), whilst the service is being provided to the mobile user terminal  20 ″ via the first base station  24 , if radio channel conditions deteriorate or interference levels increase for example, the broker  18  interacts further with the corresponding agents of the base stations  24 , 26  in order to determine whether the contract will be transferred to the second base station  26 . If the result of the negotiation is that the contract is transferred, as shown in  FIG. 4 ( b ), then the second base station  26  instead thereafter provides the remaining portion of the service to the user terminal  20 ″. Within the network  10 ″ the base stations  24 , 26  can be of the same type e.g. (UMTS WLAN, GSM) or different from each other. This approach automatically improves the internal capacity of the network  10 ″.  
         [0000]     General  
         [0033]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics; for example in telecommunications systems involving fixed line connections rather than wireless connections, and user terminals that are not mobile. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.