Patent ID: 8521775

Claim:
A master policy repository for a policy realization framework of a communications network, comprising: a processor; a communications network interface; and a memory in communication with the processor and the communications network interface, the memory storing instructions, executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a policy via the communications network interface; categorizing the policy as one of multiple policy categories including an application specific policy category, a service specific policy category, a subscriber specific policy category, a network specific policy category, an operator specific policy category, and a global subscriber policy category, wherein each policy category has a preassigned preference with respect to the other policy categories, such that, in case of a conflict between the received policy and the other policies, one of the received policy and the other policies is favored based on the preassigned precedence of the policy category of the received policy with respect to the policy categories of the other policies; storing the policy in the memory; receiving a request for the policy from an element of the policy realization framework, the request being received via the communications network interface; sending the policy to the element; recognizing when the policy is superfluous or obsolete; and determining whether to delete or update the policy recognized as superfluous or obsolete.