Abstract:
A mobile telecommunications network includes a core network ( 2020 ) having content processing means ( 2060, 2070 ) operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network ( 700, 2003 ) having radio means for wireless communication with terminals ( 10 ) registered with the network, wherein the radio access network ( 700, 2003 ) includes a local source of content ( 741, 1100 ). The network is arranged to provide the content processing means ( 2060, 2070 ) core network service in relation to the content of the local source.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunications network including a core network having content processing means operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and a radio access network having radio means for wireless communication with terminals registered with the network, wherein the radio access network includes a local source of content. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Recently, a dramatic rise in sales of both smart-phones and laptop data cards has resulted in a substantial increase in the amount of data communications passing through mobile telecommunications networks. This volumetric increase can also be attributed to enhancements made to the capabilities of the networks. In fact it has been reported that mobile data growth grew 30 percent over the course of the second quarter of 2009. The most popular use for mobile data was HTTP browsing, although usage of HTTP streaming is growing considerably. Other mobile data uses include HTTP downloading and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) activities such as file sharing. 
         [0003]    This ability to use the cellular networks for mobile data services, such as Internet browsing is resulting in subscribers treating their mobile networks in much the same way as they treat their fixed networks. That is, users are tending to expect the same service from the Internet, irrespective of their access method. However, mobile networks have a more restricted capacity and are more costly to operate, as compared to fixed networks. 
         [0004]    In this regard, from the network operator&#39;s viewpoint, as the mobile broadband traffic volume carried over 2G, 3G, HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and 4G networks continues to grow, the cost of supporting this data volume is becoming more and more expensive based on the current network architecture and deployments. This cost differential is exacerbated by one of the current business models being utilised, whereby operators charge a flat rate for unlimited amounts of data. 
         [0005]    The increased usage is also unfortunately likely to result in an increase of data traffic jams, and hence a degradation of service for mobile users if not properly managed. 
         [0006]    It has been proposed to control data-heavy users by “choking” the bandwidth available to them when a maximum data volume limit is exceeded. Whilst this addresses the problem on an individual level, it does not address the network capacity problem as a whole. 
         [0007]    It is therefore apparent that mobile broadband is at a crossroads as networks and business models are strained by bandwidth demand that is unmatched by revenue generation. 
         [0008]    These problems will only get worse with moves to position mobile data as a replacement for fixed DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) access and with the advent of higher radio access speeds with 4G LTE/SAE (Long Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution) network. A large percentage of this traffic will consist of data which is destined for the public Internet, a significant proportion of which mobile operators will not be able to add value to, despite carrying the data on their own backhaul transport, core transport or cellular core infrastructure. 
         [0009]    In addition to the problems discussed above, conventional mobile telephone communications networks have architectures that are hierarchical and traditionally expensive to scale. The hardware and software implementation of many network elements, such as the BTS, routers, BSC/RNC etc are proprietary: devices of one manufacturer often do not interface with devices from another manufacturer. This makes it difficult to introduce new capabilities into the network as a different interface will be required for devices from each manufacturer. Further, conventional base stations are not capable of intelligent local routing or processing. Furthermore, the capacity of existing networks is not always used effectively. For example, many cell sites are under used, whilst others are heavily used. 
         [0010]    The current cellular network architecture has the following disadvantages:—
       Hierarchical and expensive to scale   Backhaul is a major problem   Proprietary platforms: BTS, BSC/RNCetc   Closed nodes and interfaces   Very limited application or customer awareness (except for QoS priority)   No intelligent local routing or processing   Inefficient use of installed capacity       
 
         [0018]    There is therefore a need to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the problems of the prior art. In particular there is a need to address the needs of both the network operators and the users in improving the provision of mobile broadband data services. 
         [0019]    EP2315412 describes the introduction of a novel platform at the network edge. To open the radio access part a “General Purpose Hardware Platform” may be implemented at the network edge. This may allow operators to split the functions of an Radio Network Controller (RNC) and/or a (e)NodeB between hardware and software. As a consequence operators have the capability to place applications and content directly at the edge of the network. 
         [0020]    Despite the capability to place content and applications at the edge, such as games, M2M, CDN or cached content, mandatory core network functions, such as Lawful Intercept (LI), Adult Content Filter (ACF), charging or others, must still be supported in the core network. 
         [0021]    As content and applications located at different radio locations require the same services and functions located in the core network, the mobile operator has to offer a service parity if a user or machine gets served e.g. content from the e.g. (e)NodeB or the core network. This is seen as one of the major issues in bringing content and applications to the radio locations. The proposed solution should preferably offer functions and services offered also by the core and Gi networks to the customers. 
         [0022]    A key capability such network enhancements could provide is data caching; when pushed to the edge of the network, data caching capabilities can reduce network traffic, and improve latency of data for terminal devices such as mobile handsets. 
         [0023]    Core network services require access to network data to perform, e.g., Lawful Interception (LI), and charging or billing. LI is obtaining communications network data pursuant to lawful authority for the purpose of analysis or evidence. Such data can consist of signalling or network management information, or the content of the communications. When intelligence is pushed to the edge of the network, access to this network data becomes difficult as some data will only move between network components at the edge. In this scenario, some network data will never enter the core of the network where monitoring for such services is traditionally done. Therefore a solution is required to support core services at the edge of the network. 
         [0024]    Core network services often have other requirements that need to be taken into consideration. For example, avoiding detection of LI is a mandatory requirement to meet legal obligations. LI detection must not be possible by anyone, including end users or compromised employees, with or without direct or indirect access to relevant data. Some details of LI requirements can be found in the following documents, which are fully incorporated herein by reference:
       3GPP TS 33.106, 3G security; Lawful Interception requirements   3GPP TS 33.107, 3G security; Lawful interception architecture and functions   3GPP TS 33.108, 3G security; Handover interface for Lawful Interception (LI)       
 
         [0028]    It is understood that LI warrants require intercept related information (IRI) by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA&#39;s). An object of an embodiment provides core network services such as LI with access to the original or cached IRI content; the flow of data such as content communication (CC) in LTE and 3G Core Control Plane may be unchanged with the introduction of edge-based intelligence in the communications network. 
         [0029]    The following know arrangements are disclosed in EP2315412. 
         [0030]    Key elements of a 3G mobile telecommunications network, and its operation, will now briefly be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    Each base station (e.g. (e)NodeB  1  or Femto  2 ) corresponds to a respective cell of the cellular or mobile telecommunications network and receives calls from and transmits calls to a mobile terminal (not shown) in that cell by wireless radio communication in one or both of the circuit switched or packet switched domains. Here NodeB (3G) or eNodeB (4G—LTE) have been considered but should be just called NodeB for harmonisation. The mobile terminal may be any portable telecommunications device, including a handheld mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), machine to machine device (M2M) or a laptop computer equipped with a network access datacard. 
         [0032]    The NodeB  1  or Femto  2  can be considered to comprise two main parts: a radio frequency part (radio unit) and a baseband part. The radio frequency part handles the transmission of radio frequency signals between the antenna of the NodeB  1  or Femto  2  and the mobile terminal, and for converting radio frequency signals into digital baseband signals (and vice versa). The baseband part is responsible for controlling and managing the transmission of the baseband signals to other components of the mobile telecommunications network. 
         [0033]    In a macro 3G network, the Radio Access Network (RAN) comprises NodeBs and Radio Network Controllers (RNCs). The NodeB is the function within the 3G network that provides the physical and transport radio link between the mobile terminal (User Equipment, UE) and the network. The NodeB performs the transmission and reception of data wirelessly across the radio interface, and also applies the codes that are necessary to describe channels in a WCDMA system. The RNC is responsible for control the Node Bs that are connected to it. The RNC performs Radio Resource Management (RRM), some of the mobility management functions and is the point where encryption is done before user data is sent to and from a mobile terminal. The RNC connects to the Circuit Switched Core Network through a Media Gateway (MGW) (or MSC/MSS in case of R4 architecture) and to an SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node)  5  in the Packet Switched Core Network. In  FIG. 1 , Node B  1  is controlled by RNC  3  across the Iub interface. An RNC may control more than one node B. For LTE the following nodes have to be considered: MME, S-GW, PDN-GW). 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  also illustrates a Femto 3G RAN, with Femto  2  operating as the base station. Femto  2  is connected to an Access Gateway (AGW) (a.k.a Concentrator)  4  via an Iuh interface. Femto is an abbreviation of “femto-cells”, and many other different names have been used, including home access points (HAPs), access points (APs) and femto-base stations, but all names refer to the same apparatus. 
         [0035]    The radio link between the Femto  2  and the mobile terminal uses the same cellular telecommunication transport protocols as Node B  1  but with a smaller range—for example 25 m. The Femto  2  appears to the mobile terminal as a conventional base station, so no modification to the mobile terminal is required for it to operate with the Femto  2 . The Femto  2  performs a role corresponding to that of Node B  1  in the macro 3G RAN. 
         [0036]    The Femto  2  would typically be configured to serve a home or office, in addition to GSM/UMTS/LTE networks. The WLAN could belong to the subscriber of the mobile terminal, or be an independently operated WLAN. The owner of Femto  2  can prescribe whether it is open or closed, whereby an open AP is able to carry communications from any mobile device in the GSM/UMTS/LTE network, and a closed AP is only able to carry communications from specific pre-assigned mobile devices. 
         [0037]    Conventionally, in a 3G network (macro or Femto), the RANs are controlled by a mobile switching centre (MSC) and an SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node)  5  of the core network. The MSC supports communications in the circuit switched domain, whilst the SGSN  5  supports communications in the packet switched domain—such as GPRS data transmissions. The SGSN is responsible for the delivery of data packets from and to the mobile terminals within its geographical service area. It performs packet routing and transfer, mobility management (attach/detach and location management), logical link management, and authentication and charging functions. A location register of the SGSN stores location information (e.g., current cell, current VLR) and user profiles (e.g., IMSI, address(es) used in the packet data network) of all mobile terminals registered with this SGSN. In  FIG. 1 , since the embodiment is concerned with data transmission, only the SGSN is illustrated as being in communication with RNC  3  and AGW  4 , across the Iu interface. The RNC  3  typically has a dedicated (not shared) connection to its SGSN  5 , such as a cable connection. 
         [0038]    Communications between the AGW  4  and the SGSN  5  are preferably IP based communications, and may be, for example, transmitted over a broadband IP network. Further, the connection between the Femto and the AGW  4  may use the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). Typically a DSL cable connects the AGW to the PSTN, and data is transmitted there-between by IP transport/DSL transport. The Femto or AGW converts the cellular telecommunications transport protocols used between the mobile terminal and the Femto  2  to the appropriate IP based signalling. The Iuh interface is similar to RAP with some Femto extensions. 
         [0039]    The femto  2  may be connected to the AGW by means other than a DSL cable and the PSTN network. For example, the femto  2  may be connected to the AGW by a dedicated cable connection that is independent of the PSTN, or by a satellite connection. 
         [0040]    The SGSN  5  is in communication with the GGSN  6  (Gateway GPRS Support Node) across the Gn interface. The GGSN is responsible for the interworking between the GPRS network and external packet switched networks, e.g. the Internet. The GGSN enables the mobility of mobile terminals in the networks. It maintains routing necessary to tunnel the Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to the SGSN that service a particular mobile terminal. The GGSN converts the GPRS packets coming from the SGSN into the appropriate packet data protocol (PDP) format (e.g., IP or X.25) and sends them out on the corresponding packet data network. In the other direction, PDP addresses of incoming data packets are converted to the mobile network address of the destination user. The readdressed packets are sent to the responsible SGSN. For this purpose, the GGSN stores the current SGSN address of the user and their profile in its location register. The GGSN is responsible for IP address assignment and is the default router for the connected mobile terminal. The GGSN also performs authentication and charging functions. Other functions include IP Pool management and address mapping, QoS and PDP context enforcement. 
         [0041]    In turn the GGSN  6  may route data via any applicable Value Added Service (VAS) equipment  7 , before data is forwarded towards its intended destination via the Internet  8 . As an example of the functionality of the VAS equipment, the traffic may be inspected for adult content before reaching the end-user if this user is under 18 years of age. 
         [0042]    For billing purposes in particular, a PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) apparatus  9  is also provided, in communication with the GGSN  6 . 
         [0043]    The SGSN  5 , GGSN  6 , VAS  7  and PCRF apparatus  9  comprise the core network of the mobile telecommunications network. The core also comprises further elements, such as the HLR is missing. 
         [0044]    Mobile telecommunications networks have an active state of communication with their mobile terminals and an inactive/idle state of communication with their terminals. When in the active state, as the mobile terminals move between different cells of the network, the communication session is maintained by performing a “handover” operation between the cells. In the inactive/idle state, as a mobile terminal moves between different cells of the network the mobile terminal performs “cell reselection” to select the most appropriate cell on which to “camp” in order that the mobile terminal can be paged by the network when mobile terminating data is destined for that mobile terminal. 
         [0045]    Conventionally, the mobile terminal or network determines whether a handover/cell reselection procedure should be triggered in dependence upon measurements of the radio signals of the cells in the region of the mobile terminal. A filter is applied to the signals (either by the network or by the mobile terminal) which calculates an average (e.g. arithmetical mean) value of these signals over a particular time period. The filtered/average values of the cells are then compared with each other or with a threshold value. In dependence upon these comparisons, cell reselection/handover related procedures are triggered. This cell reselection/handover process generally comprises taking radio signal measurements of neighbouring cells and comparing these to each other and to the radio signal of the current cell to determine which cell provides the best signal strength/quality. Handover/reselection to the best cell can then occur. 
         [0046]    Generally calculations to determine whether to perform a handover from one base station to another base station are performed by the network, whereas calculations whether to perform cell reselection are performed by the mobile terminal. 
         [0047]    Data in a mobile telecommunications network can be considered to be separated into “control plane” and “user plane”. The control plane performs the required signalling, and includes the relevant application protocol and signalling bearer, for transporting the application protocol messages. Among other things, the application protocol is used for setting up the radio access bearer and the radio network layer. The user plane transmits data traffic and includes data streams and data bearers for the data streams. The data streams are characterised by one or more frame protocols specific for a particular interface. Generally speaking, the user plane carries data for use by a receiving terminal—such as data that allow a voice or picture to be reproduced—and the control plane controls how data are transmitted. 
         [0048]    In addition to the elements and functions described above, mobile telecommunications networks also include facilities for transmitting SMS messages. SMS messages are transmitted over the control plane only (and not the user plane). 
         [0049]    This architecture is what currently is being used to carry all packet data to and from mobile terminals. That is, in today&#39;s implementation of the Packet data architecture, user plane traffic traverses across all the network elements shown between the Node B or Femto on which the user is camped and the internet. That is, all data is directed from the applicable RAN through the core network components SGSN, GGSN and VAS before reaching the internet. All PS traffic accordingly follows the same path and therefore has the same network costs. All applications are processed on the client (on the mobile device) or on the server (which is connected to the internet), and the network core therefore acts like a bit-pipe in the current architecture. For data, where the mobile network operator cannot add any value by carrying it on its own backhaul transport, core transport or cellular core infrastructure (the core network), such as data destined for the public internet without required intervention from the core network, there is no benefit to routing this data via the core network. 
         [0050]    However, a large percentage of this traffic can be handled in a more intelligent manner for example through content optimisation (Video &amp; Web), content caching, or locally routed or directly routing content to the public Internet. All these techniques reduce the investment required by a mobile operator to carry the data on its own backhaul and core transport or cellular core infrastructure. 
         [0051]    In order to offer low cost packet data, to support new services and to manage customer expectation, a step-change reduction in the end-to-end cost per bit is required. 
         [0052]    Mobile operators want to reduce their packet data handling costs through alternate network architectures based on commoditised IT platforms, breaking away from the traditional architecture based on their voice legacy. These new network architectures overcome the Access architecture issues of today 
         [0053]    In order to successfully offer cheap packet data and be able to compete with the fixed broadband offers (flat fee) a solution is proposed which focuses on the reduction of the end-to-end cost per bit, especially for Internet access service. 
         [0054]    This enables mobile operators to reduce packet data handling costs by means of an alternative network cost model architecture, which breaks out of the traditional network architecture and nodes and utilises lower cost transport networks to optimise the data flow. 
         [0055]    In this regard,  FIG. 2  shows a high level description of the architecture that may be adopted to deploy this on a 3G network. Such an architecture is described in EP2315412. Note: The proposed solution is also valid for 4G (LTE) networks. 
         [0056]    According to this arrangement, novel “platforms” (control units/means, also referred to as “SAVi”)  24 ,  25 ,  26  for performing functions such as caching, routing, optimisation and offload/return decision functionality are integrated into the network. This decision functionality may be incorporated in the radio architecture. In this regard, the platforms  24 ,  25 ,  26  may be incorporated into the NodeBs  1  ( 25 ), RNCs  3  ( 26 ) or exist as separate physical entities ( 24 ). It is these platforms  24 ,  25 ,  26  that, for example, determine the path of communications originating from the mobile terminals. 
         [0057]    The exact placement of the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  is not essential, and, for a macro 3G network, it can be placed at or between the Node Bs and the RNCs, and also between the RNCs and the SGSNs (or any combination thereof). It would also be possible to place the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  close to the GGSN or P-GW. 
         [0058]    In the 3G Macro network, the aim is to offload a high percentage of the macro network traffic from the core and transport (IuPS, Gn, etc) by diverting specific traffic type for certain user(s) class directly to the Internet. 
         [0059]    Where the platform  24 ,  25  is located in the Node Bs (or on the Iub interface), it may be possible to redirect the data from all the remaining mobile network elements (e.g. the RNC, SGSN, GGSN and VAS for macro 3G), and sending the data directly to the Internet  8  if LI is not mandatory required. In a similar manner, where the platform  26  is located at the RNC (or on the Iu interface), it becomes possible to redirect the data from the SGSN  5 , GGSN  6  and the VAS  7 . The alternative data route is preferably a DSL using ADSL. 
         [0060]    It is also preferable to aggregate the alternative data routes for each cell, where applicable. In this regard, each cell will have at least one RNC  3  and a plurality of NodeBs, so where the decision blocks are situated at or in the vicinity of the Node Bs, for instance, there will be a plurality of links which should ideally be aggregated before being passed to the Internet  8 . At the point of this aggregation  42 , there is preferably a further decision block which enables data to be returned to the legacy route. For instance, a new policy rule may have been implemented, which requires or enables previously offloaded data to be returned to the core network route. This new policy rule may be communicated to the return decision module by the core network policy module. In  FIG. 2 , this returning of data is only shown to the VAS  7 , but the data may be returned to one or more of the other core network elements. 
         [0061]    Each of the NodeBs  1  is connected to the mobile network core through a Point of Concentration (PoC)  27 . All traffic from the NodeBs  1  which is to be routed through the core mobile network is routed to the PoC  27 . This includes both user plane and control plane data. On the control plane level, the PoC  27  routes data to and from the SGSN  5  and the GGSN  6 . Control data is also sent to and from other core network components, including the Lawful Interception Database (LI DB)  30 , DNS Server  32 , Policy Server  9  (including Charging rules and IT Network  9 A) and Home Location Register/Home Subscriber Server (HLR/HSS)  36  (which contains subscriber and device profile and state information). 
         [0062]    User plane data is transmitted by the PoC  27  to the SGSN  5  and the GGSN  6 . From the GGSN  6 , data is routed across a VAS  7  node to the Internet  8 . In 3G this is the standard data path from the mobile terminals to the Internet. 
         [0063]    To implement an advantageous feature, an alternative path on which to re-route certain data to the internet  8  is provided, whereby, each NodeB  1  and Femto  2  may be connected to a fixed line connection  40  (e.g xDSL) which is directly connected to the internet  8 . These xDSL connections may be made directly to the NodeB and/or Femto or made to the NodeB/Femto via other components, such as the PoC  27 . In  FIG. 2 , the xDSL Network  40  may be a third party network or may be a network owned or controlled by the owner of the mobile telecommunications network. By using such an alternative path, radio capacity, backhaul transport resource, core transport resource, cellular core network resources could be saved as well as improving performance and enhancing revenue for the mobile network operator in case Charging and LI are not needed. 
         [0064]    As each Node B  1  and/or PoC  27  is associated with a platform  24 ,  25 ,  26 , for each data packet request originating from a mobile terminal, a decision at the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  is made as to whether the traffic may bypass the core mobile network entirely or may be passed into the core mobile network. The location at which the traffic is routed towards the internet is preferably at the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26 ; however, it may alternatively be routed out from the core network towards the internet at a different component. Traffic offloaded from the macro network is routed by the platform  26  to the xDSL network  40  by link  44  (the decision to offload this traffic may have been made at platform  24 ,  25  or  26 — 
         [0065]    In case Offload is e.g. legally allowed it would be preferably the Offload/Return decision is dependent upon the type of data or user. To exemplify this feature of the embodiment,  FIG. 3  is a flow diagram showing the steps taken when deciding how to route the traffic in the architecture of  FIG. 2 . For instance, consider a NodeB receives a request to set up a data call from a user device which is camped on the NodeB at  300 . Once the NodeB has identified the request as a data call and the type of traffic/user, rather than automatically routing the data traffic to the core network, the data request is held at the NodeB at  310  until a decision has been made as to how to route the data, in particular whether to offload the traffic directly to the internet or whether to return the data through the core mobile network. The signalling (control plane) for the connection may continue through the normal route while the user data traffic will be held at the NodeB, this is possible by virtue of the separate user and control planes, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0066]    The decision as to whether or not to use the Core mobile Network to route the data traffic can be based on various aspects, particularly relating to the properties of the data being routed and/or status of the user routing the data. 
         [0067]    The Mobile Network may add value to traffic by providing a number of services, such as compressing the user data to speed-up the data transfer while downloading (if this functionality is not already supported by the platforms  24 ,  25 ,  26 ). These different services can be broken up into groups and provided by different entities (e.g. this enables greater flexibility in the provision of the services, such as the mandated Internet Watch Foundation—IWF—requirement, which can only be supported by the mobile operator). The platforms  24 ,  25 ,  26  therefore make a decision on whether to service the data locally through caching, fetch the data from other node or from the internet via offload functionally or whether to route the traffic through the core network, based on the applicability of one or more of the services to the traffic. That is, platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  decides when data traffic requires one or more of the services and when it can do without them. 
         [0068]    It should also be noted that these services are ones that could be provided without using the core network. These are services that add value to the customer, and which subscribers will pay for (explicitly or implicitly). 
         [0069]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  decides at  320  what to do with the traffic (from coming for the network/internet or orientated by the device). This decision may be made by interrogating certain servers or databases stored centrally within the core network which can compare the type of service, type of user etc with criteria which identifies the type of action shall be considered, e.g whether the traffic is suitable for offloading directly to the internet (at  330 ) from the NodeB or whether the traffic should be routed through the core (at  340 ). Examples of some of the considerations used in influencing the decision of whether to offload the traffic are discussed below in more detail. The implementation of this data offload technique needs to be carefully considered, as it places additional constraints on the network design. 
         [0070]    The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples of challenges that have to be considered when implementing the data offload technique:
       a) maintaining Customer Services provided by the core network or otherwise;   b) maintaining Network Services (e.g. Charging Rate Limiting/application control); and   c) maintaining Regulatory Services (e.g. to enable Lawful Interception and Regulatory Content Filtering).       
 
         [0074]    Some specific examples of Customer Services that can be taken into account by the offload decision module include:
       i) Parental Control: A service which customers subscribe to that filters content in order to shield children from unwanted websites and programs. Whether traffic from a given user needs to be filtered can be determined by a Common User Repository (CUR) lookup, where the CUR stores user profile information, such as whether the user is an adult or a child etc. If traffic needs to be filtered, then either the traffic cannot be offloaded or it may need to be filtered somewhere other than the core network.   ii) Traffic Optimisation: Optimisation may be advantageous, especially for low bandwidth connections (2G). By looking at the Radio Access Type (RAT) and the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) it can be determined whether or not a subscriber needs these services. Where traffic optimisation is not required, the traffic may be offloaded   iii) Marketing Proposition: The mobile network is typically setup to provide full mobility with acceptable Quality of Service (QoS). A further option could be to offer best effort QoS without guaranteed full mobility. As an example, for when a heavy user has exceeded their fair usage limit, their traffic could be designated as low priority traffic and offloaded.       
 
         [0078]    The Network Services that can be taken into account by the offload decision module are typically those that the network operator needs to manage its network. Some examples include:
       i) Charging: The charging plan that a user subscribes to can be used to determine whether or not to offload that user&#39;s data. For instance, it is most easily avoided when the customer has a flat rate plan. That is, users on flat rate plans do not need their usage tracked for charging purposes in real time and so can be offloaded onto the alternative route. For users who are roaming or whose charging plan depends upon usage, then, the operator/supplier needs to track their total usage in real-time, and so their data needs to be maintained on the core network route so that rate-limits and data usage can be accurately tracked and alarms/alerts activated when usage exceeds allowances. This is because, if this is not avoidable then Call Data Records (CDRs) need to be generated by the module for the real time charging.   ii) Rate-limiting/application control: This is currently used to manage the traffic flow according to a certain usage policy. Excessive bandwidth usage or controlling P2P applications are common reasons to rate limit users. Therefore, where a user transmitting data is determined to be under a rate restriction (i.e. throttling) or the data they are transmitting has an application restriction (i.e. the application is blocked), then that data can be offloaded. This exceeded allowance information would typically be communicated to the decision module ( 24 ,  25 ,  26 ) by the HLR/HSS. This traffic management enables the total traffic volume to be reduced and is typically fully managed by the network operator.   iii) QoS: The network uses QoS to manage traffic during high load situations and to support marketing propositions. To enable QoS considerations to be enforced by the offload decision module, a connection is established between the offload module and the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) entity. This enables decision criteria to be dynamically fed to the offload module, for instance to maintain high priority users on the core network path and/or high priority application types, such as VoIP. It is to be appreciated that the connection to the PCRF is not essential, and alternatively, static or semi-static rules, pre-stored with the offload module, can be considered.   iv) Mobility: Mobility, such as cell handover, is an issue that needs to be managed by the core network. Therefore, terminals that are in motion might not be offloaded. The mobility of a mobile terminal could be determined by querying the Node B. Some users could be provided with a contract that allows only fixed or limited mobility use, so that the service provided was equivalent to a fixed broadband package. Different charging tariffs could be applied depending on whether a user was at a fixed location or mobile. Two ways the offload decision module can handle a mobile terminal&#39;s mobility are as follows:   1. The offload decision module can have the capability to characterise the radio link between the device and the network by monitoring the number of handovers implemented for the mobile terminal. If a certain number of handovers occur over a fixed duration, the mobile terminal can be classified as in motion, and any data from the mobile terminal can thereafter be routed back into the core network to avoid any further packet data delay. This of course assumes that the mobile terminal had been designated for data offload on the bypass link.   2. The offload decision module is situated on the IuPS for the 3G network (i.e. between the RNC and the SGSN) or S1 for the LTE (i.e. between the eNode B and the PoC), and checks the Iur or X2 signalling information (i.e. between a set of RNCs controlled by a given 3G SGSN and between a corresponding set of eNode Bs for LTE). If this monitoring shows that a mobile terminal is hopping between cells one of which is not connected to (and therefore managed by) the offload decision module, any data from the mobile terminal can thereafter be routed back to the legacy path through the core network.       
 
         [0085]    Regulatory Services are services that are mandated by legislation, and are typically provided to all traffic. Some specific examples of Regulatory Services that can be taken into consideration by the offload decision module include:
       i) Lawful Interception (LI): The ability to provide Lawful interception will be maintained in any offload or local breakout plans. The options for offload are:   Maintain the evaluation of LI in the core network, and not offload users whose traffic needs to be intercepted (e.g. where the user has been tagged by the police for communication interception). Since the LI functionality is handled by the core network, the core network accordingly cannot be bypassed;   Add LI capability to the offload decision module, which will require a local LI interface with a dedicated database identifying the users to be intercepted. With this option, upon identifying traffic from a user on the list, a copy of the data can be made at the local LI interface and the traffic offloaded. The copied data can then be reported to the appropriate authorities; or   Alternatively, LI may be performed at the Internet Service Provider (ISP). With this option, since LI is considered at the ISP it is not a consideration at the offload decision engine, and so the data may be offloaded, where possible. However, to effect this option, a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with relevant ISP providers may need to be amended in order to include the support of LI in the ISP network rather than in the mobile network infrastructure.   ii) Regulatory Content Filtering (e.g. for Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)): This required functionality blocks illegal websites. This functionality could easily be added to the offload decision module as it is not processor intensive. An http proxy server, for instance, could be used to support this functionality. Otherwise, the traffic will be returned back to a dedicated core node(s).       
 
         [0091]    A further criterion that the platform ( 24 ,  25 ,  26 ) module may consider is the priority of the customer. In this regard, a network operator may wish to prioritise traffic across its network based on the priority level of the customer. For example, a high value customer (e.g. a corporate customer or a subscriber with on a high tariff contract) may be given priority over a low value customer. In this situation, a network may decide to offload lower value customers directly to the internet. This is related to the QoS criterion mentioned above, although the QoS criterion is generally linked to traffic management to maintain a balanced network, whereas the priority referred to can be used to ensure subscribers get a level of service commensurate with their service agreement. 
         [0092]    The embodiment of  FIG. 2  is in relation to a 3G network. Embodiments of the invention are equally applicable to 4G (LTE/SAE) networks. 
         [0093]    The LTE/SAE macro network includes eNode Bs which make up the RAN. The eNode Bs effectively combine the functionality of the node B and the RNC of the 3G network. These eNodeBs are the network components which communicate with the mobile communication devices. It is envisaged that the eNodeBs will be arranged in groups and each group controlled by a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a User Plane Entity (UPE). 
         [0094]    The MME performs many of the mobility functions traditionally provided by the SGSN. The MME terminates the control plane with the mobile device. It is responsible for terminating NAS (Non Access Stratum) Signalling such as MM (Mobility Management) and SM (Session Management) information as well as coordinating Idle Mode procedures. Other responsibilities of the MME include gateway selection inter MME Mobility and authentication of the mobile device. 
         [0095]    The UPE manages protocols on the user plane such as, storing mobile terminal contexts, terminating the Idle Mode on the user plane, and PDP context encryption. 
         [0096]    The platforms would operate in the same manner as described in relation to the 3G network. The platforms may be located at many different locations in the 4G network. 
         [0097]    A more specific example of how the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  may be implemented is described in relation to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method for deciding whether to offload data traffic to the internet. The decision structure is composed in a hierarchical form in order that certain types of user or data are always directed through the core network. The example of  FIG. 4  is described for a 3G network but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that these decisions could be applied to any type of radio access technology. 
         [0098]    Once a PS HSPA data call (or other connection) is made and received at the Node B at  600 , a primary consideration by the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  at  610  is whether the device is operating on its home network or whether it is roaming. If the device is roaming then all traffic is automatically routed through the core network. The reason for this is that the home network would want to guarantee the security and accurate billing (due to different charging principle between home and visited operator) of the user&#39;s traffic. The platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  at  610  will also consider other factors, such as what application types running on the mobile terminal require connections. If the mobile device is operating on its home network at  610 , or if the applications do not require a connection to the core network, the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  considers secondary offloading criteria at  620 . Examples of secondary criteria may include the functions required by the device, the radio bearer currently used by the device, the APN, or the priority level of the customer identified, for example, through IMSI, IMEI or the target subscriber. If the offloading criteria are met at  620 , the decision moves to the tertiary criteria, otherwise, the traffic is not offloaded. 
         [0099]    At  630 , the system checks the mobility of the user. If the user is moving, he is considered not suitable for offload due to an expected interruption delay of the user data when moving between source and target cell. 
         [0100]    Finally, at  640  the system conducts a contents and policy check to confirm whether the user is suitable for offload. If it is determined that the user is suitable for offload to the internet, the eNodeB offloads the traffic to the internet at  650 . If it is determined that the user is not suitable for offloading to the internet at  640  then the procedure returns “home” at  660 . A connection is provided by a network core in a conventional way and the tests of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4  are repeated periodically to determine whether offloading directly to the internet becomes possible subsequently. 
         [0101]    If the device is determined to be roaming at step  610 , then the device is not offloaded directly to the internet, but remains connected via the network core in a conventional way at  670 . Similarly, if the offloading criteria are not met at steps  620 , the mobile device remains communicating via the network core in the conventional way, again at  670 . 
         [0102]    The hierarchical decision method is useful because it reduces the number of challenges across the network. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that different hierarchical structures will be appropriate for different networks, different conditions etc and that the example of  FIG. 4  is just one way the decision could be made. 
         [0103]    For instance, whilst arrangements have chiefly been described in relation to transmitting data traffic from a mobile terminal to a data network, the principles may also be applied to transmissions from a data network towards a mobile terminal. 
         [0104]    In the arrangements described above the decision regarding the route is said to be made at call set-up. However, it should be appreciated that a decision to change the routing of data may be made at the beginning of a communication session (for example establishment of a PDP context), or during a communication session. The routing of data may change several times during a single communication session. For example, when a communication session is initiated it may be detected that the user is not moving, in which case a decision will be made to offload the data over the alternative data route. Subsequently it may be detected that the user is moving, and at this point a decision may be made to beginning routing data for the communication session via the mobile network. During the communication session, the mobile terminal may become stationary for a prolonged period of time again, and at this time a further decision may be made to send subsequent data during the communication session via the alternative data route. Subsequently again, the user may then attempt to access age-restricted content, and it will be detected that parental control is required. In response for the requirement for parental control, a decision may be made to redirect subsequent data during the Communication session via the core network so that core network parental controls can be applied. 
         [0105]    It is to be appreciated that the present embodiments of the invention are to be distinguished from HSDPA offload, a technique used on the Iub interface between the Node B and the RNC. HSDPA offload which serves to separate data traffic from voice traffic, so that non-real time data traffic is sent down a less expensive backhaul to complement or replace the expensive E1/T1 TDM backhaul link between the two. Once this diverted traffic reaches the RNC, however, it is returned to the cellular and transport core networks and there is no differentiation made based upon data traffic type. 
         [0106]    In the arrangement described above the platform  24 ,  25 ,  26  primarily handles data offload decisions. As will be described below, the platform can perform may other functions. 
         [0107]    Arrangements in which the Radio Access Network controls the use of resources by mobile terminals will now be described. 
       Platform Architecture 
       [0108]    As discussed above, a mobile telecommunication network is modified by the introduction of a “platform”  24 ,  25 ,  26 . Such a platform (or control unit/means, also referred to as “SAVi”) is shown in more detail at  700   FIG. 5  and which includes three principal parts: soft nodes  702  (physical/transport layer), network functions  704  and services  706  (application layer). 
         [0109]    The platform  700  communicates with the radio frequency/RF part (radio unit) of a base station, such as a NodeB  1 . The soft nodes  702  of the platform  700  comprise components such as a soft NodeB  708 , soft BTS  710 , soft eNodeB  711  and soft RNC  712  and soft SGSN/GGSN  714 . The soft nodeB  708  provides functions equivalent to the baseband part of a conventional NodeB in a 3G telecommunications network. The soft BTS  710  provides baseband functions equivalent to the baseband functions of a BTS in a conventional 2G mobile telecommunications network. The soft enodeB  711  provides baseband functions equivalent to the baseband functions provided by a conventional enodeB in a 4G mobile telecommunications network. The platform  700  may therefore communicate with the radio frequency part of a 2G, 3G or 4G base station and provide appropriate baseband services for 2G, 3G or 4G technologies (or indeed for other technologies). A 3G mobile terminal that wishes to obtain telecommunication services from the mobile telecommunications networks connects wirelessly to the radio frequency part of a NodeB. Baseband functions may be provided either by a baseband part of the conventional NodeB or by the soft NodeB  708  forming an element of the soft node part of the platform  700 . For example, the soft NodeB  708  may receive radio measurements from the radio frequency part of the NodeB to which it is connected, and may provide these radio measurements to other elements of the platform  700 . 
         [0110]    The network functions part  704  of the platform  700  includes modules for performing functions similar to those performed by the core network of a mobile telecommunications network, such as billing  720 , location tracking  722  and the radio resource management (RRM)  724 . The network functions may further comprise an offload decision module  726  that performs a function similar to the offload decision modules  24 ,  25  and  26  described above. The network functions part  704  may further comprise a caching function  728  and Content Delivery Network function  730 . 
         [0111]    The network functions part  704  of the platform  700  provides an Application Programming Interface (API) framework to the services part  706  of the platform  700 . The services part  706  of the platform supports a plurality of applications  740 ,  742  etc. 
         [0112]    The network functions fall into three main categories, those that enable the network operation (e.g. charging, O&amp;M), those that support service operation (e.g. Location) and those that optimise the usage of the network by certain applications and services (e.g. Caching, Video Optimisation). 
         [0113]    The applications supported on the Platform  700  are the entities that supply or demand the flow of data on the network, akin to a server on the internet, e.g. gaming server, navigation server. 
         [0114]    The API is implemented by a software program running on the network function part  704  which presents a novel standardised interface for the applications  740 ,  742  etc of the services part  706 . The novel standardised API provides a consistent interface, defining communication protocols, ports etc. Full details of the API may be published to allow a multiplicity of applications to be developed for the platform  700  by multiple developers. This should be contrasted with prior art arrangements where each component of a mobile telecommunications network (such as BTS, BSC/RNC, SGSN etc) is proprietary and tends to have a unique interface, meaning that a different application must be written for each node of a conventional network. 
         [0115]    The applications  740 ,  742  etc may provide services to users of the telecommunications network by co-operating with other parts of the platform  700 . 
         [0116]    The details of the use of each application used by a user of the mobile telecommunications network are stored in an application context/container. The Application context contains application names, protocol used to carry such application, their characteristics that are measured/reported over period of time and some statistical information about these applications (volume, number of users using these applications, etc.). 
         [0117]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a platform  700  may be provided at each base station of the mobile network (where it is connected to the radio frequency part of the base station—NodeB  1  in  FIG. 2 ), forming an access node  800 . Platform  700  may also be provided at the RNC (item  3  in  FIG. 2 ) where it forms a gateway  802 . The access node  800  and the gateway  802  are both configured to communicate directly with the network core  804  (for example, comprising the SGSN  5 , GGSN  6  and VAS  7  (as shown in  FIG. 4 )). The access node  800  and gateway  802  may also be connected to the internet  8  for direct internet access via direct links  806  and  808 , respectively, such that at least a portion of the core network  804  is bypassed in the manner described above. 
         [0118]    The following are examples of access technologies that can be provided within the access node  700 : 
       3GPP: GSM/GPRS, UMTS/HSPA &amp; LTE 
       [0119]    IEEE: 802.11 family &amp; 802.16 family 
       ITU: DSL, ADSL, VDSL, VDSL2 
     Allocation of Functions to Platforms 
       [0120]    The steps performed when a mobile terminal is activated at a NodeB, at the Femto or at the Access Point (AP) of the network which includes the novel platform  700  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . At step  9 A the mobile terminal (UE) is activated within the coverage area of a particular NodeB, at the Femto or at the AP. The access part of the NodeB, at the Femto or at the AP communicates information from the mobile terminal to the platform  700  associated with the NodeB, at the Femto or at the AP. At step  9 B the platform  700  then allocates the baseband NodeB, at the Femto or at the AP function and the RNC or BRAS (Broadband Remote Access Server) function either at access node  800  at the NodeB at the Femto or at the AP site or at the gateway  802  at the RNC or BRAS site of the network or even from neighbouring nodes that have spare resources to pull. The decision as to whether the RNC or BRAS function is allocated at the platform  700  of access node  800  or the gateway node  802  may be made depending on various criteria, including:
       The device type—for example this decision can be based on the radio access capabilities that the mobile terminal indicates upon activation, such as whether it is operating in the circuit switched or packet switched domains.   The location of the mobile terminal. If the mobile terminal is near the edge of the cell (which can be determined by network power measurements or neighbour cell measurements from the mobile terminal, within a plus or minus 3 dB range for the RACH).   The establishment cause of the connection request: such that the NodeB can filter the unnecessary signalling information from the mobile terminal which is not critical—for example periodic routing area update messages.       
 
         [0124]    Upon allocating the baseband NodeB at the Femto or at the AP and the RNC or BRAS function, the NodeB at the Femto or at the AP may allocate the mobile terminal to a particular carrier dedicated to the RNC or BRAS function. 
         [0125]    Once the RNC or BRAS function is allocated to either the access node  800  or the gateway  802  at step  9 C, other functions performed by the platform  700  at the access node  800  (or other access node) and the gateway  802  (or other gateway) are allocated to the mobile device. All other platform functions may be provided by the platform where the RNC or BRAS function is allocated to the mobile terminal. However, a platform at a different location to that which provides the RNC or BRAS function to the mobile terminal may provide some or all other functions. 
         [0126]    At step  9 D the platform which is allocated the RNC or BRAS function is provided with a Common ID message from the core network  804 . 
         [0127]    At step  9 E, this message is used by the platform  700  to look up the complete subscription information for the mobile terminal, as well as the resource requirements (QoS) of the services required and negotiated PDP context, this information being provided by the core network  804 . 
         [0128]    The subscription information relating to the device that is obtained from the central nodes (e.g, core network)  804  is used to allocate the other functions at access node  800  and/or the gateway  802  in dependence upon various factors, including:
       Detailed information regarding the mobile terminal type obtained from the core network.   The subscription characteristics of the mobile terminal.   The applications previously used most frequently by the mobile terminal.   The characteristics of the applications previously used by the mobile device and the performance requirements thereof.   The historic mobility of the mobile terminal (speed, connection, distance travelled etc).   The location of the mobile terminal and the likely destination of traffic from the mobile terminal based on historic usage patterns.   The load of the NodeB providing RF services to the mobile terminal, and the historic traffic trends at that NodeB at Femto or at AP.   The characteristics of the NodeB at the Femto or at the AP providing RF services (for example, the location, what other devices are connected through the NodeB at the Femto or at the AP, the number of machine to machine devices being attached and served by the NodeB, etc).       
 
         [0137]    As mentioned above, a single mobile terminal may have platform functions/applications allocated on a plurality of platforms. Generally, when a mobile terminal is near-stationary it is most efficient for its functions/applications to be served from an access node  800  (i.e. distributed), whereas mobile terminals with greater mobility (or lower anticipated cell hold times) will be most efficiently served by having fewer or no functions/applications served from the access Node  800 , and more or all functions/applications served from a gateway  802  (i.e. centralised). The assignment of functions/applications to a mobile terminal between an access node  800  and a gateway  802  will also depend upon the characteristics of the service type provided by the application (for example, the average IP session duration, the popularity of the particular application, the average mobility of mobile terminal using the service provided by the application etc). 
         [0138]    Traffic management may be performed at the access node  800 , where there is access to real-time radio information from the radio frequency part of the NodeB, the Femto or the AP serving the mobile device. 
         [0139]    Centralised Radio Resource Management (RRM) may be provided at the gateway  802 , and maintains performance across different access modes  800 , which may have different radio access technologies, frequency bands, coverage etc. The RRM function  724  of the platform  700  of the gateway  802  may obtain information regarding radio traffic management from each access node  800  to dynamically position subscribers to particular radio technology. This technique will be used to allocate network resources based on the resource availability, application used and user mobility, For example, the traffic management information may be provided by the soft NodeB  708 , Femto or AP of the platform  700  at the access node  800 . This soft NodeB  708  obtains radio information relating to the mobile terminal from the radio frequency part of the NodeB to which the mobile terminal is wirelessly connected. 
         [0140]    For a particular mobile terminal, functions provided by an access node  800  and gateway  802  may be coordinated to work together in an advantageous manner (i.e. a hybrid or distributed arrangement). For example, the gateway  802  may set operating limits or ranges within which functions performed by the access node  800  may be performed, without reference to the gateway  802 . When the functions move outside the ranges set, control of those functions may be passed to the gateway  802 . 
         [0141]    Further, the access node  800  and the gateway  802  may cooperate to advantageously optimise content delivery to a mobile terminal. 
         [0142]    The optimisation of content delivery will now be described with reference to  FIG. 8  of the drawings. Content may be optimised at gateway  802  and at an access node  800 . The gateway  802  may serve multiple access nodes  800 , and my distribute content to those multiple access nodes  800 , for onward transmissions from each of those access nodes  800  to a mobile terminal via the radio frequency part of NodeB, the Femto or the AP serving that node. Radio quality measurements are reported by the mobile terminal to the access node  800  at regular intervals, such as 2 millisecond intervals. Radio quality measurement relating to that mobile terminal are transmitted between the radio frequency part of the NodeB, the Femto or the AP serving the mobile terminal to the access node  800  at regular intervals, such as between 2 and 10 millisecond intervals. These radio measurements are received at the soft nodes  702  and are passed to functions  704  (e.g. to QoS function  732  for analysis). These radio frequency measurements from the mobile terminal and the NodeB are reported by the access node  800  to the gateway  802  (e.g. to QoS function  732  of the gateway  802  for analysis) at regular intervals, such as intervals of between 1 and 10 seconds. The gateway  802  may receive radio information from multiple access nodes  800 . The radio measurements received by the gateway  802  may be analysed over a relatively long period, such as between 1 and 2 minutes. The radio quality measurements may be averaged (for example, the arithmetical mean of the radio quality maybe determined) over this time period. The transmission of content from the gateway  802  may then be optimised according to this calculation. Where the content is distributed by the gateway  802  to a plurality of access nodes  800 , the content distribution will be based on the analysis of the radio quality indicators from all of the access nodes  800 . The analysis may consider the maximum or peak radio performance over the time period of between 1 and 2 minutes. 
         [0143]    When the content is received by each access node  800 , the access node  800  then distributes the content to each mobile terminal. This distribution is optimised based on real-time network mode and mobile terminal specific radio link quality, as determined over a period of, for example, between 1 and 10 milliseconds. That is, content delivered to a mobile terminal that has high radio link quality may be optimised in a different manner to a mobile terminal that had poor radio link quality. 
         [0144]    The co-operation between access nodes  800  and gateways  802  may further enhance the distribution of content in a manner now to be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0145]    When a mobile terminal requests a particular content item, this request is transmitted to the access node  800  serving that mobile terminal, assuming that this is the first request for this content item to the access node  800 , the access node  800  passes this request to the gateway  802  serving the access node  800 . Assuming that this is the first request for this content item from the gateway  802 , the gateway  802  retrieves the content from a content server. The content is then provided by the content server to the gateway  802 , and from there is distributed to the access node  800 , and onwardly to the requesting mobile terminal. Advantageously, the gateway  802  maintains a record of content items that are requested frequently. When a content item is determined by the gateway  802  to be requested frequently, this is stored in a cache  1110  associated with the gateway  802  (which may be the cache  728  of the platform  700 ). Subsequent requests for that content item from access nodes  800  to the gateway  802  can then be serviced by retrieving the content item from the cache  1110  and distributing the content item to the requesting access node  800 , and thus avoiding the need to request the content from the content server. 
         [0146]    The gateway  802  may be further configured to identify popular content items that are likely to be requested by a large number of access nodes  800 . When it is determined that a content item is popular, the gateway  802  may push these content items to each of the access nodes  800  associated therewith (so that this content is hosted at the access node  800 , using Content Delivery Network (CDN) function  730  of the network functions  704  of the gateway  802  and the access node  800 ). The content is then available at the access node  800  for transmission to any mobile terminal that requests it, without having to retrieve this content from the gateway  802  or the content server. Advantageously, the distribution of such content items is performed in a manner which takes into account the capacity or the congestion of the link between the mobile terminal and the gateway  802  and the nature of the content. For example, typically a link between a mobile terminal and the gateway  802  may experience very little usage and congestion in the early hours of the morning. The content item can be advantageously transmitted in between the gateway  802  and the access node  800  at this time, when there is spare capacity. The gateway  802  will determine whether the content item is suitable for transmission on this basis, for example, by taking into account a number of times that the content item has been requested, the size of the content item and the storage space at the access node  800 . If a content item is relatively small and is time-critical, such as news headlines, then such a content item may be distributed frequently throughout the day, as such content is not suitable for transmission once a day at early hours of the morning, as it becomes quickly out of date. 
       Relocation of Mobile Terminal 
       [0147]    The procedures performed when a mobile terminal moves between cells in the mobile telecommunications network will now be described with reference to FIG.  10 . In the conventional manner at step  12 A, when the mobile terminal moves to the edge of its current serving cell, the radio measurements reported from the mobile terminal and the radio frequency part of the NodeB, the Femto or the AP serving that mobile terminal are used by the core network to determine when to perform a handover and to which target cell the handover should be performed. When the best target cell has been identified, handover to that target cell from the serving cell it is performed at  12 B in a conventional manner. 
         [0148]    At step  12 C selected platform functions may be relocated from the source access node (that served the old cell) to the destination access node (that serves the new target cell). 
         [0149]    When the source and destination access nodes are served by the same gateway, only base station function (such as soft NodeB functions  708 ) may be relocated to the destination access node. 
         [0150]    The relocation of functions of the access nodes is performed independently to the radio handover, so for some time after the radio handover, the source access node continues to serve content to the mobile terminal through the destination access node. The routing of data packets for the 3G network between the destination and the source access nodes may be performed using an Iu interface between the RNC or BRAS function  712  of the destination access node and the SGSN/GGSN function  714  of the source access node. Alternatively, the routing of data packets between the destination and the source access nodes can be completed by the SGSN/GGSN function  714  of the destination access node connecting directly to functions of the source access node through an IP interface. 
         [0151]    After handover has been completed at step  12 B, the access node controlling the mobile terminal may be relocated from the source access node to the destination access node in coordination with the gateway. the standardised handover decisions (mainly based on coverage, quality, power, interference, etc.) for 2G, 3G, LTE &amp; fixed network are used to move the mobile from one node or system to another. However, the platform  700  introduces new opportunity to make the handover decision based on type or characteristics of the certain application, type of user and the QoS requirements. 
         [0152]    The timing of the relocation of access node functions from the source to destination platform may be dependent on the following:
       the duration of the current connection/communication of the mobile terminal   the speed of movement of the mobile terminal   the characteristics of the applications being used by the mobile device, the quality of service, the predicated type and amounts of transmission ongoing.   The radio resource allocations status at the mobile terminal   The respective node of the source and destination and access nodes.       
 
         [0158]    At step  12 D, optionally, some functions will be reallocated from the access nodes to the gateway. For example, if the destination access node is heavily loaded and is congested, or has a lower capability then the source access node, or the mobile terminal is determined to be very mobile, it may be advantageous to transfer functions to the gateway. Functions are reallocated from the access node to the gateway by, for example, a Serving Radio Network Subsystem (SRNS) relocation between the RNC function  712  of the access node and the gateway. Alternatively the functions may be reallocated by performing a radio reconfiguration of user connection to the mobile terminal. 
         [0159]    The reallocation of functions from an access node to the gateway may be performed at call/communication sessions set-up. At call/communication session set-up, further subscriber information will be provided, which may be used by the access node or gateway to be determine whether it would be advantageous to reallocate functions from the access node to the gateway. Reallocation of functions from the access node  800  to the gateway  802  may be performed during an active connection when a requirement of the communication sessions has been modified, or where the required resource is not available at the access node  800 . 
         [0160]    According to the same principles, applications may be (re)located (or distributed) between access nodes  800  and for gateways  802  to provide optimised application delivery/best use of the communication resources. 
         [0161]    As mentioned above, information about each application used by the user at the mobile terminal is stored in an application context. The application context is shared between each access node  800  and gateway  802  that control the user connection for that mobile terminal. One of the access nodes  800 /gateways  802  will be the “master” for that particular application, and that will also be the master of an application specific record in the application context. The application context is advantageously periodically synchronised between the access node  800  and the gateway  802 . 
         [0162]    The application information is the application context specific to a particular mobile terminal, and this is passed between access nodes and gateways during reallocation for a mobile terminal, enabling the application to be seamlessly passed access nodes/gateways, avoiding impacts to the user experience. 
         [0163]      FIG. 11  shows the transfer of application information between access nodes and gateways. 
       Tailoring Bandwidth to Application 
       [0164]    Radio measurements received from the radio frequency part of the NodeB, the Femto or the AP serving the mobile terminal are passed to the soft nodes  702  of the platform  700  (of the access node  800  or gateway  802  serving the mobile terminal), and are passed to the network functions  704  of the platform  700 , which then distributes the measurements to where necessary within the platform  700 . The platform  700  has access to the subscriber information from the core network, which allows the network functions  704  to deliver data traffic in a manner that is optimised for radio conditions as indicated by the radio measurements. The data traffic may also be optimised according to the subscription of the user of the mobile terminal available radio resource, mobile terminal capability, and/or for the class of the terminal (e.g. access technologies used). This optimisation allows bandwidth usage to be balanced with customer experience. The subscriber information may include information about the price plan of the user of the mobile terminal. The mobile network operator may track the type of application used by the user, the total data usage of the user, and may differentially target radio resources the highest data value stream of users. 
         [0165]    By hosting applications  740 ,  742  in the services part  706  of the platform the access node  800  (or at least the gateway  802 ), the point of the network that is aware of the application being used by the user of the mobile terminal closer in the link between the mobile terminal and the core network to the NodeB serving the mobile terminal. This enables the sharing of network resources to the most appropriate data streams, such as the most profitable data streams. Such awareness of the application to which a request for data transmission relates allows the use of low value data streams, such as peer-to-peer file sharing, to be allocated only limited bandwidth, so that remaining bandwidth can be targeted to particular users. In the uplink, transmission of data can be controlled by the access node  800  (or gateway  802 ) hosting the application to control data flow appropriately before data is onwardly transmitted towards the core of the network (which was not possible with conventional arrangements). 
       Application Programming Interface (API) 
       [0166]    As mentioned above, a novel API is provided which defines the language that each of the software modules  740 ,  742  of the platform  700  use to communicate to coordinate to optimise application delivery to users. The platform  700  negotiates which each application  740 ,  742  the specific resource and performance requirements based on the application characteristics, allowing the application to directly communicate the scheduling performance requirements, rather than using a predefined set of quality of service parameters. This negotiation between the platform  700  and the applications  740 ,  742  is facilitated by the API. 
         [0167]    The API may also facilitate the provision of radio link quality information (e.g. from QoS function  732 ) to applications  740 ,  742 . 
         [0168]    The API may further enable the platform  700  to control use of the applications  740 ,  742 —e.g. to allow, disallow or adapt the applications. 
         [0169]    By way of example, the application  740  may be a Voice over IP (VoIP) application. The nature of Voice over IP communications is that there is a virtually continuous succession of small data packets in which voice data is communicated. The voice data must be communicated with no or minimal latency in order that a two-way conversation can be performed successfully. The Voice over IP application  740  is able to compress voice data before transmission using a variety of techniques/CODECs. The compression techniques/CODECs may range from a relatively low compression technique, which provides high quality voice reproduction but requires a large bandwidth, to a much higher compression technique which provides reduced voice quality and which requires a much lower bandwidth. 
         [0170]    The API is operable to provide details of the application characteristics to the network functions part  704  of the platform  700 . This makes the network functions part  704  of the platform aware of the characteristics of the application. In the present example, as the application is a Voice over IP application, the network functions part  704  may be made aware that the application will tend to transmit continuous successions of small data packets that require transmission with no or low latency. The network function  704  may then be configured appropriately. 
         [0171]    The API may further be operable to allow the network functions part  704  to communicate radio link quality information to the application  740 . For example, when the network functions part  704  received information regarding the application characteristics (via the API), it may allocate radio link resources to that application  740 . This allocation of radio link resources may be communicated by the network functions part  704  to the application  740  (via the API). The application  740  may then select an appropriate compression technique/CODEC in dependence upon the radio link quality available. During a Voice over IP call, the available radio link quality may be communicated regularly from the network functions part  704  to the application  740  (via the API) to allow the application  740  to vary the compression technique/CODEC used in accordance with changes to the radio link quality. 
         [0172]    The network functions part  704  may control how the applications  740 ,  742  work (via the API). The network functions part  704  may allow, disallow or adapt the applications  740 ,  742  hosted in the services part  706  of the platform  700 . For example, the network functions part  704  may require the Voice over IP application  740  to use a particular compression technique/CODEC if radio link bandwidth is restricted. 
         [0173]    Another example of how the network functions part  704  may advantageously provide radio link quality information to an application (via the API) is when the application  742  is a gaming application used by several users. If the radio link quality information received by the application  742  indicates that bandwidth is restricted, the application  742  may adapt is communications to the users such that latency of the communications is increased uniformly for all of the users (so that they all experience the same delay), in order that each of the users is provided with the same gaming experience. 
         [0174]    In the arrangements described, the devices that connect to the platforms  700  are mobile devices that connect to the platforms via the radio access network of a mobile/cellular telecommunications network. It should be appreciated that non-mobile (fixed) devices may be connected to the platforms  700 , for example by a wired or cable connection. 
       Allocation of Services 
       [0175]    The control means is responsible for allocating the service instance for each UE, based on the UE locations and the control means capacity, capability and available resources to host another instance of a service. The UE is using service but the User (MSISDN) gives access to specific services. 
         [0176]    For certain low popularity services or where the available serving control means capacity or capability is limited, the service can be hosted from a central control means, or from a neighbouring distributed control means. 
         [0177]    For some services/functions, where the source and destination client applications are in the same geographical region, being served by the same site (e.g. BTS location) or site cluster (e.g. finite number of sites), the access node  800 /gateway  802  ensures that the server for the service is located close to both users, and the traffic is routed between the users within the site. 
         [0178]    The arrangement described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 to 11  is the subject-matter of EP2315412. Such an arrangement deals with LI and other core network functions by always routing traffic that must be subject to LI and other core network functions through the core network, or by providing LI and other core network functions functionality at the network edge. 
         [0179]    An alternative known representation of the platform  700  is shown in  FIG. 12 . The platform  700  includes a platform core  1000  which communicates based on two sets of APIs:
       Application APIs  1010 —which, as discussed above, offers standardised hosting environment for applications providing communication to Service Software  741 ,  742  and Network Functions Software  1015 ,  1016  hosted on the platform  700 .   Network APIs  1017 —which provide control and connectivity to network nodes  1030  through a vendor specific Adaptors  1020 ; Network API defines standardised communication between core  1000  and the Adaptors  1020 ; Communication between Adaptor  1020  network nodes and 3GPP/LTE node, such as (e)NodeB  1 , BBU  1032 , RNC  3 , SGSN  5 , GGSN  6 /P-GW and MME  1040 , remains proprietary       
 
         [0182]    The Platform  700  includes common network functions Software  1015 ,  1016  such as Scheduling, Routeing, Billing/accounting, security and Policy functions, which allow the architecture to offer seamless experience across the network. 
         [0183]    The Adaptors  1020  translate the Vendor specific implementation on the 3GPP/LTE nodes  1030 , such as eNB, BBU, RNC, SGSN, GGSN/P-GW and MME, to common and open interface to the environment of platform  700 . 
         [0184]    The Adaptor  1020  for each 3GPP/LTE node  1030 , such as eNB, BBU, RNC, SGSN, GGSN/P-GW and MME, is responsible for ensuring communication between the Network API  1017  and 3GPP node is secure. 
         [0185]    The Platform  700  provides the capability for some Applications  741 ,  742  hosted in the Platform  700  to be contacted remotely from the platform  700 . 
         [0186]    Logically control and data traffic interfaces (control plane and user plane) between the physical manifestations of the platforms  700  exist independent of the underlying 3GPP/LTE network nodes  1030 . These interfaces will require to be made secure through functionality included within each platform  700 . 
         [0187]    The Platform  700  may also provide the capability for hosted Network  1015 ,  1016  and Service Applications  741 ,  742  on different platforms  700  to communicate and pass data in a secure manner without mandating security to be provided by the application  741 ,  742 ,  1015 ,  1016 . 
         [0188]    In contrast to the arrangements described above, in this implementation the platform  700  may handle both control and data traffic interfaces (control plane and user plane), rather than just the data traffic/user plane. Further, in contrast to the arrangements described above the nature of the gateway  802  may be different. In the implementation described hereinafter, the gateway  802  may be located other than at the RNC. For example, the gateway  802  may be located at the SGSN  5 , GGSN  6 , VAS  7  or PCRF apparatus  9 , or in any part of the network core or RAN. In the implementation described hereinafter, the gateway  802  may be considered to be an interface between the platforms  700  at the access node ( 800 ) and the core network, rather than part of the “control means”. 
         [0189]    When the platform  700  environment is introduced into a mobile network it means that traffic can be inserted, hosted or created in the data path between GGSN  6  and UE, potentially impacting the operation of existing core systems (such as charging, policy enforcement &amp; LI from other core network components (Charging rules and IT Network  9 A, Policy Server  9  and including the Lawful Interception Database (LI DB)  30 —see  FIG. 2 ) which need to be replicated. 
         [0190]    The embodiments of the present invention seek to provide an alternative arrangement for providing core network services/functions, such as LI. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0191]    In one aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications network including:
       a core network having content processing means operable to provide a core network service relating to content, and   a radio access network having radio means for wireless communication with terminals registered with the network, wherein the radio access network includes a local source of content,   characterised in that the network is arranged to provide the content processing means core network service in relation to the content of the local source.       
 
         [0195]    The network services may include, for example, Lawful Interception (LI) and/or charging. Other network services are also contemplated, as discussed in the detailed embodiments. 
         [0196]    The network may be operable to provide the content processing means with a copy of the content of the local source. 
         [0197]    The radio access network may be operable to copy a request for content that is used by the terminal to request content from the local source, and to forward this to the core network for use in obtaining the copy of the content of the local source. 
         [0198]    The copy of the content may be obtained from a primary content source from where the content of the local source was also obtained. 
         [0199]    The radio access network may include control means for selectively disabling access to the local source of content such that required content for the terminal is obtained via the core network and the core network service is provided directly to the content. The control means may selectively disable access to the local source of content such that required continuous and subsequent content for the terminal is obtained via the core network and the core network service is provided directly to the content (to cover use cases when content is downloaded midstream and mobile or just the next request for content). 
         [0200]    The control means may be operable to disable access to the local source of content for a particular target terminal or radio access network node, such as an base station, access point, eNodeB or NodeB. In a “fail to wire” embodiment control may happens for a whole site rather than for specific users. 
         [0201]    The control means may be operable to disable access to the local source content for other ones of the terminals substantially randomly. 
         [0202]    The core network may include a database synchronised with the local source of content such that the core network is aware of the content available at the radio access network. 
         [0203]    The database may located (e.g. in the Gi LAN) between the content processing means and a primary content source (e.g. internet). 
         [0204]    The database may be associated with processing means operable consult the database to determine whether content is absent from the local source of content and to transmit that content to the content processing means (e.g. to allow LI to be performed and for onward transmission to the terminals). 
         [0205]    The radio access network may be operable to transmit data from the local source of content to the content processing means (e.g. to allow LI to be performed). 
         [0206]    The present invention also provides a corresponding method. 
         [0207]    The network may be a cellular network, such as a 2G, 3G or 4G network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0208]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: 
           [0209]      FIG. 1  illustrates known a high level packet data network architecture, useful for explaining the prior art and embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0210]      FIG. 2  illustrates the introduction of a functional “platform” in a 3G network; 
           [0211]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow chart of an example offload decision process as implemented in the 3G network of  FIG. 2   
           [0212]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of an example offload decision making process that may be implemented by a redirection module 
           [0213]      FIG. 5  shows the novel “platform” in more detail provided in the Radio Access Network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0214]      FIG. 6  shows possible locations of the platform within a mobile telecommunications network; 
           [0215]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the steps performed when a mobile terminal is activated; 
           [0216]      FIG. 8  shows the optimisation of content delivery to a mobile terminal; 
           [0217]      FIG. 9  shows a further optimisation of content delivery to a mobile terminal; 
           [0218]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing the procedures performed when a mobile terminal moves within the network; 
           [0219]      FIG. 11  shows the transfer of information between platforms; 
           [0220]      FIG. 12  shows a modified version of the “platform”; 
           [0221]      FIG. 13  shows a system architecture for illustrating the operation of a first embodiment invention; 
           [0222]      FIG. 14  shows the system architecture of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0223]      FIG. 15  shows a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0224]      FIG. 16  shows a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0225]      FIGS. 17 to 23  show various other arrangements for providing core network services in respect of data that is locally cached. 
       
    
    
       [0226]    In the figures, like elements are generally designated with reference numbers. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0227]    An improved arrangement for providing core network services such as LI will now be described. This arrangement uses many of the principles described in relation to  FIGS. 1 to 12  above, and these form part of the embodiments to be described. 
         [0228]      FIG. 13  shows the system architecture of certain elements of the network. The platform  700  is provided at the network edge in (e)NodeB  2003  and provides functions to the mobile terminal (user entity, UE)  10  by wireless communication. The platform  700  includes a cache  1100 . The cache  1100  stores content for delivery of this content to the UE 10  when required. The content may be delivered to the cache  1100  by any suitable mechanism, such as those described above. For example, the content may be delivered via the core network or may be delivered via a direct connection  2005  to the internet, which bypasses the core network. The cache  1100  may correspond to the cache  728  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0229]    The platform  700  further includes an application  741  which may generate content for supply to the UE  10 . In practice, a plurality of applications are likely to be hosted on the platform  700 . 
         [0230]    The platform  700  additionally includes network functions part  704  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0231]    It should be understood that, even when content is available at the network edge, a significant amount of content that the UE  10  wishes to consume is likely to be located elsewhere, and this content will be obtained in the conventional manner via the core network. 
         [0232]    As discussed above, when content is provided to a UE  10  from the network edge, core network services will be bypassed. This is often unsatisfactory as some core network services, such as LI, are mandatory in some jurisdictions. The below embodiments describe various solutions to this problem. 
         [0233]    The platform  700  is connected via an S1 interface to the core network, which comprises a gateway  2020  (e.g. GGSN/P-GW/SAE-GW). The gateway  2020  facilitates the provision of core network functions, such as LI, by LI function  2060 , content filtering, by content filtering function  2065 , and charging, by charging function  2070 . The gateway  2020  may include the functions of gateway  802  in  FIG. 6  (hereinafter referred to as SAVi Smart GW  802 ). 
         [0234]    The gateway  2020  receives content from a primary content source  2030 , typically via the Internet. This content may be received (in all embodiments) by a packet buffer function  2040  before delivery to the gateway  2020 . The primary content is delivered from the primary content source  2030  via Gi LAN  2050 . 
         [0235]    In the first embodiment, access to content is provided to existing core network services by disabling local edge services (such as disabling the ability to download data from the cache  1100 ) for particular connected devices  10  when required—so that requests for content are always handled by the core network, and are therefore subject to core network services such as LI and charging. However, it is not sufficient to treat only particular target devices  10  differently as this would allow these devices to be identified—which is generally unacceptable for LI. The embodiment therefore also randomly disables local edge services for other devices  10  using one of the following methods: disabling local edge services at random, or disabling all local edge services for random devices  10 . 
         [0236]    In this embodiment, a component at the edge of the network (e.g. wifi, LTE eNode-B  2003 , 3G Flat Node-B or RNC), which includes the platform  700 , maintains a list of required client devices  10  (e.g. mobile handsets owned by LI targets). Uplink data (e.g. a request) from a required client device  10  is received by the edge component platform  700  and immediately repeated towards the core network (e.g. gateway  2020 , SP-GW, GGSN or SGSN) for normal processing (e.g. sending to an external WAN address, such as that of primary content source  2030 ) such that network services (e.g. LI and charging) can occur in the conventional manner without modification. Any subsequent downlink data to the client device UE  10  at the edge of the network is sent as normal in the conventional manner. To avoid detection of this method, impact to other connected devices is randomised by either disabling local edge services (e.g. caching of specific websites) at random, or disabling all local edge services. The randomised disabling of services can be undertaken for just the edge component (platform  700 ) to which the required device is connected, or across the entire network, depending on the requirements and risk of detection and the impact to client devices. 
         [0237]    This embodiment allows the SAVi Smart GW  802  control of all SAVi Network Function  704  by an authentication method to manage and provide co-ordination of SAVi services and subscribers. 
         [0238]    The following procedures may be implemented:
       1. Disabling locally served content by the SAVi Smart GW  802  when a subscriber is a Lawful Intercepted Identified Target. In this case provide SAVi Network Function  704  traffic routing to replicate all content and applications from the gateway (e.g. SP-GW or GGSN)  2020  or via the Gi LAN  2050  to ensure continuity of service for the end user or application.   2. When a subscriber is an LI target, then disable random number of SAVi services via the SAVi Smart GW  802  for a serving (e)Node-B. Additionally switch-out a random number of active or idle devices  10  within the (e)Node-B.   3. When an Access Node (e.g. (e)NB  2003  or platform  700 ) is under O&amp;M control then disable and switch out all access to any function that provides a view of current subscriber registrations on the Access Node. This is advantageous for privacy.   4. Allow SAVi content to be defined with original ISP addressing to ensure all content received by the Subscriber device UE  10  contains identical addressing when not served from local SAVi Platform  700 . Depending on IRI data legal requirements for LEAs this may not be required.   5. Allow optional capability to randomise SAVi Platform  700  served content versus content served from Gi interface  2050  which operates in combination with other LI supporting procedures.       
 
         [0244]    This arrangement may have the following advantages:
       Medium system impact, with the re-use of existing LI systems.   Fulfils LI evidence requirements.       
 
         [0247]    A second embodiment (SAVi Smart GW  802  located in the Gi LAN  2050 : no direct connection to the LI nodes) is shown in  FIG. 14 . In this embodiment, the SAVi Smart GW  802  is located in the Gi LAN  2050  and has no direct connection to the LI nodes  2060  and  3000 . 
         [0248]    In the  FIG. 14  SAVi Smart GW  802  is located in the Gi LAN  2050  and has a SAVi Cached List function  4010 . Within this list all the cached content  1100  and the content delivery network, CDN, content (e.g. from the primary content source  2030 ) is listed per SAVi Network Function  704 . This requires details of where the content is stored and a method to identify and synchronise in detail the stored content. 
         [0249]    In this proposal all the requested content is downloaded from the cache  1100  or primary content source  2030  within the Gi LAN  2050  (or via a peering point beyond the Gi LAN  2050 , such as the Internet). If the content is cached at the SAVi Cache  1100  already then the content is delivered to the UE  10  via the cache  1100 , primary content source  2030  or Peering point as mentioned above. This is required to bring the content to the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020  for LI and the other listed mandatory core network functions. 
         [0250]    As mentioned within this scenario the SAVi Smart GW  802  is located in the Gi LAN  2050 . The advantage here is that the content known from the cache list  4010  does not need to be transmitted again to the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020 . The content already in the cache  1100  would be discarded already at the SAVi Smart GW  802 . 
         [0251]    However in this case it is still open how to do LI for content served from the SAVi Server cache  1100  at the radio location  700  which is not passing the GGSN  2020 . To overcome this limitation the cached content also needs to be send to the LI ADMF (administration function)/DF (delivery function)  3000 . 
         [0252]    A third embodiment (SAVi Smart GW  802  located in the Gi LAN  2050 : No direct link to LI nodes and using LI Probes) is shown in  FIG. 15 . In this embodiment, the SAVi Smart GW  802  is located in the Gi LAN  2050 . To allow the support of LI all traffic is sent to a so called LI Probe system  3010 . 
         [0253]    Within this proposal all the content will be sent to the LI Probe System  3010  and therefore LI works together with a Radius link to obtain MS-ISDN, IMSI, IP and the IP addresses. Again, the SAVi Smart GW  802  discards all the cached content to limit the capacity needed on the gateway (e.g. GGSN/PGW)  2020 . 
         [0254]    However, the disadvantages are that the LI Probe  3010  needs to handle all content and the LI ADMF/DF  3000  has to handle the “Non Cached Content” twice. The “Non Cached Content” will be send from the LI Probe System  3010  connected to the Gi system  2050  and the gateway (e.g. GGSN/PGW)  2020 . 
         [0255]    A fourth embodiment (SAVi Smart GW  802  located in the Gi LAN  2050 : Direct connected to LI Probe System) is shown in  FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, the SAVi Smart GW  802  is located in the Gi LAN  2050  as already shown in the  FIGS. 14 and 15 . To allow the support of LI all traffic is sent to a so called LI Probe system  3010 . 
         [0256]    To overcome the limitation shown in the architecture of  FIG. 15  the LI Probe System  3010  is connected directly with the SAVi Smart GW  802 . 
         [0257]    In the architecture shown in  FIG. 16  all the content terminates just once with the LI system and LI is possible for all the data. This is based on the fact that all the content needs to be transmitted towards the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020  via the Cache or primary content source  2030  associated with the Gi LAN  2050  or via the peering point. 
         [0258]    Nevertheless the solution requires two additional nodes where the SAVi Smart GW  802  has to take care about all the content. Therefore the SAVi Smart GW  802  requires similar throughput capacity as the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020 . The LI Probe System  3010  has to take care about all cached content. This could require also a huge capacity node. 
         [0259]    Disadvantages here are the limited control possibilities as the SAVi Smart GW  802  is not fully integrated into the network (standalone) and the additional use of two nodes. 
         [0260]      FIG. 17  shows a Gi LAN Copy Solution. UE  10  requests data which is intercepted by local SAVi Cache  1100  of the platform  700  at the flat Node-B  2003 . Downlink data is copied and forwarded via Gi interface  2050  to perform Core functions. Uplink data is GTP-U tunnelled to the GGSN  2020  across Gn. GGSN  2020  drops Uplink packets sent by RNC. Gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020  drops Downlink′ packets sent by SAVi Network Function  704 . The GGSN  2020  performs the following functions:
       GGSN to drop Uplink packets sent by RNC.   Open Sub-net addressing to allow IPm addressing on Gi.   Allow packets from source addressing IPs (SAVi server).   GGSN to drop Downlink′ packets sent by SAVi Server.       
 
         [0265]      FIG. 18  shows a Loop Solution. UE  10  requests data which is intercepted by local SAVi Cache  1100  at the flat Node-B  2003 . Downlink &amp; Uplink data is copied and looped via Gi interface  2050  to perform Core functions where it is terminated at the RNC. Uplink data is GTP-U tunnelled to the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020  across Gn and back to RNC via Gi LAN  2050 . 
         [0266]      FIG. 19  shows a Transparent Solution. UE  10  Uplink data request is repeated towards the Core, where the cached data flow is identically replicated by the original primary content  2030  Web Server (for example) towards the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020 . 
         [0267]      FIG. 20  shows a Copy Transparent Solution. This solution applies to a subscriber (UE  10 ) being served either by (1) local content  1100  by SAVi Platform  700  at an Access Network Edge with no direct Core functions, or (2) Content Optimisation originating at an SSP. The proposed solution is to re-use existing functions and interfaces to perform LI and Charging. This concept requires a SAVi Platform  700  on an Access Node (eNode-B) and SAVi Service Platform (SSP) inside the Gi LAN  2050 . The following interfaces are defined:
       1. Gi SAVi interface. Gi SAVi interface connects a SAVi Platform  700  to a SSP. A bridged Access Core Transport network is required to support such an interface.   2. SAVi Content Source interface inside the Gi LAN  2050 . Connects SSP to multiple S-P GW&#39;s  2020 .       
 
         [0270]    The copy solution of  FIG. 22  runs the risk of generating uplink congestion affecting throughput performance. A number of techniques and features may be employed to mitigate or eliminate this risk. Two features include: 
         [0000]    [1] COPY with Throttling 
         [0271]    Introduce traffic shaping within the GTP-U NTS and GTP-U TAP functions on the SAVi platform  700  to reduce the peak throughput when congestion is detected in the uplink. This is based on detecting and estimating the aggregate instantaneous bandwidth, known by the NTS  700  since (1) normally all S1 traffic passes through it and or (2) the BBU  2003  for the case of network sharing or other eNB configurations, versus the configured transport bandwidth. This covers both edge content and edge applications for end-point more traffic used cases. 
         [0272]    A fail-to-wire option is another variant. NTS requires uplink load detection functions to mitigate performance risks. 
         [0000]    [2] COPY with Local CDN Reference 
         [0273]    Introduce a Cache List Reference method of optimising and replicating copy downlink traffic from the Access Edge towards the Packet Gateway for LI and Charging purposes. This covers only pre-loaded edge content for end-point mode traffic used cases. 
         [0274]      FIG. 21  shows the Copy throttle feature. The Copy Function is extended to support detection and throttling of SAVi cache  1100  served content via GTP-U SAVi interface. Throttling only applies in the case where S1 Uplink is in congestion. It is expected that this case would be rare. However this needs to be agreed by the LEA as the content will not be delivered in nearly real time. 
         [0275]    Fail-to-wire under uplink congestion detection is simpler option and is shown in  FIG. 22 . At (1) SAVi Network Function  704  provides capability to detect uplink congestion and fail-to-wire all subsequent attempts to request any edge content  1100  and applications  741  in end-point mode traffic used cases based on a timer or low load detection to reset the SAVi Network Function  704 . Performance impact should be acceptable considering the likelihood of uplink load congestion should be rare. However this needs to be agreed by the LEA as the content will not be delivered in nearly real time. 
         [0276]    (2) COPY downlink data is tunnelled via SAVi Smart GW  802  to support multiple GI LANs  2050  and mobility use cases. 
         [0277]      FIG. 23  shows the Copy local CDN reference feature. (1) A Hierarchical CDN is implemented in the Core and Access Network where content is regularly synchronised and validated before use through a cache list mechanism. Content is local hosted within SAVi platform  700 , where data is held in Objects, Packet Segments or Chunks that can be referenced back in the host CDN. (2) Upon UE  10  request local hosted data is downloaded (Cache List). Uplink data is GTP-U tunnelled to the gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020  across Gn. Gateway (e.g. GGSN)  2020  drops Uplink packets sent by RNC. (3) After packet segments are successfully downloaded, the cache list reference is sent to the CDN (out of band preferably) to be replayed in full towards the gateway (e.g. S-P Gateway)  2020 . These packets are dropped after Charging and LI functions are completed. 
       REFERENCES 
       [0278]    The content of the following documents is fully incorporated herein by reference: 
         [0000]    3GPP TS 33.106, 3G security; Lawful Interception requirements
 
3GPP TS 33.107, 3G security; Lawful interception architecture and functions
 
3GPP TS 33.108, 3G security; Handover interface for Lawful Interception (LI)
 
3GPP TS 36.423, E-UTRAN; X2 application protocol (X2AP)
 
3GPP TS 36.300, E-UTRAN; E-UTRA Overall description; Stage 2
 
       RFC 1072 
     RFC2018 
       [0000]