Group PDN method to support MTC devices on cellular network

A system comprising one or more network devices in a network, the network devices including:

• one or more memories to store instructions;
• and
• one or more processors to execute the instructions to:
• assign a machine-type communications (MTC) device to a group with a group identifier, the group associating the MTC device, and other MTC devices, with a customer network;
• receive an attach request from the MTC device;
• retrieve, based on the attach request, the group identifier for the MTC device;
• configure a bearer path between the MTC device and the customer network, the bearer path including a group packet data network (PDN) that transports data packets from the MTC device, and the other MTC devices, between a serving gateway (SGW) and a PDN gateway (PGW);
• and
• send data packets from the MTC device over the group PDN,
• wherein the group PDN uses a common session timer for all traffic and applies a common quality of service (QoS) to data packets from the MTC device and the other MTC devices, and
• wherein the data packets from the MTC device and the other MTC devices have the same QoS class identifier (QCI) and automatic repeat request (ARQ) values.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions executable by at least one processor, the computer-readable medium comprising one or more instructions to:

• assign a machine-type communications (MTC) device to a group with a group identifier, the group associating the MTC device, and other MTC devices, with a particular customer network, wherein the instructions to assign the MTC device to the group include instructions to:
• receive, from a customer device, registration information for the MTC device to create a subscription profile, and
• generate the subscription profile, for the MTC device, that includes an MTC identifier, a group PDN identifier, and an external identifier for a device within the customer network;
• receive an attach request, from the MTC device, for an advance wireless network;
• retrieve, based on the attach request, the group identifier for the MTC device;
• configure a bearer path between the MTC device and the particular customer network, the bearer path including a group packet data network (PDN) that transports data packets from the MTC device, and the other MTC devices, between a serving gateway (SGW) and a PDN gateway (PGW);
• and
• send data packets from the MTC device over the group PDN.