Methods, network nodes, and computer program products for providing access point name (APN) based group congestion control

A method for enabling group control of terminals, the method being performed by a management entity, and the method comprising:

• the management entity receiving a message comprising a terminal identifier identifying a terminal;
• the management entity obtaining subscription data for the terminal, the subscription data comprising a list of access point names (APNs);
• the management entity using the list of APNs to determine that the terminal is a member of a particular group of terminals, wherein
• the list of APNs comprises a first APN for use in identifying one or more of:
• an access point and a packet data network, and
• the list of APNs further comprises a second APN solely for use in identifying a terminal group to which the terminal belongs.

A management entity apparatus, comprising:

• a network interface comprising a receiver for receiving a message comprising a terminal identifier identifying a terminal;
• a data storage system comprising one or more non-volatile storage devices, the data storage system storing a group identifier (GID) identifying a particular group of terminals;
• and
• a computer system coupled to the data storage system, the computer system comprising one or more processors, wherein the computer system is configured such that, as a result of the computer system receiving said message, the computer system:
• obtains subscription data for the terminal, the subscription data comprising a list of access point names (APNs), the list of APNs comprising a first APN that is a default APN for the particular terminal and a second APN that is a Group Defining APN (GDA), wherein the GDA is different than the first APN, and
• uses the list of APNs to determine whether the terminal is a member of the particular group of terminals, wherein
• the computer system uses the list of APNs to determine whether the terminal is a member of the particular group of terminals by performing a process comprising:
• (i) obtaining the GDA from the list of APNs, (ii) comparing the GDA with the stored GID, and (iii) based on the comparing, determining whether the GDA is identical to the stored GID.

A method being performed by a management entity, the method comprising:

• the management entity receiving a connectivity request comprising a terminal identifier identifying a terminal;
• the management entity obtaining subscription data for the terminal, the subscription data comprising a set of access point names (APNs);
• the management entity determining that one of the APNs included in set of APNs is congested;
• and
• as a result of determining that one of the APNs included in set of APNs is congested, the management entity rejecting the connectivity request, wherein
• the management entity is one of:
• (i) a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of a evolved packet core (EPC) network and (ii) a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of a general packet radio service (GPRS) core network, and
• said set of APNs consists only of APNs that are used only for identifying a terminal group to which the terminal belong.

A management entity apparatus, comprising:

• a network interface comprising a receiver for receiving a connectivity request comprising a terminal identifier identifying a terminal;
• a data storage system comprising one or more non-volatile storage devices;
• and
• a computer system coupled to the data storage system, the computer system comprising one or more processors, wherein the computer system is configured such that, as a result of the computer system receiving said connectivity request, the computer system:
• transmits to a subscription server (SS) a request for subscription data for the terminal, the subscription data comprising a set of access point names (APNs);
• obtains the requested subscription data for the terminal;
• determines whether any one of the APNs included in said set of APNs is congested;
• and
• rejects the connectivity request as a result of determining that any one of the APNs included in said set of APNs is congested, wherein
• the management entity apparatus comprises one of:
• (i) a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of a evolved packet core (EPC) network and (ii) a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of a general packet radio service (GPRS) core network, and
• said set of APNs consists only of APNs that are used only for identifying a terminal group to which the terminal belong.