Selective inactivation of control rules parameters

A method for enforcement of a modified control rule for a service or application in a Policy and Charging Control, PCC, architecture, the method executed by an enforcing device and comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first control rule for a service or application, both hereinafter indistinctly referred to as the service, from a control server, wherein the first control rule comprises a plurality of parameters to be used for enforcement of the first control rule for the service;
• installing the first control rule and enforcing the first control rule by enabling the plurality of parameters;
• receiving a modified control rule for the service from the control server, wherein the modified control rule includes a removal indicator indicating a particular parameter to be removed for the first control rule previously installed;
• removing the particular parameter indicated by the removal indicator for the first control rule previously installed;
• if any additional parameter is included in the modified control rule, enabling the additional parameter for the first control rule previously installed;
• and
• enforcing the first control rule with the enabled parameters.

A control server for providing control rules for services and applications in a Policy and Charging Control, PCC, architecture, the control server comprising:

• one or more processors configured to determine a first control rule for a service or application, both hereinafter indistinctly referred to as the service, wherein the first control rule comprises a plurality of parameters to be used for enforcement of the first control rule for the service;
• a transmitter configured to submit the first control rule to an enforcing device;
• wherein the one or more processors, upon determining that a particular parameter, amongst the plurality of parameters, is no longer applicable for the first control rule, is configured to determine a modified control rule that includes a removal indicator indicating the particular parameter to be removed for the first control rule previously submitted;
• and
• wherein the transmitter is configured to submit the modified control rule to the enforcing device.

An enforcing device for enforcement of control rules for services and applications in a Policy and Charging Control, PCC, architecture, the enforcing device comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive, from a control server, a first control rule for a service or application, both hereinafter indistinctly referred to as the service, wherein the first control rule comprises a plurality of parameters to be used for enforcement of the first control rule for the service;
• one or more processors configured to install the first control rule and enforce the first control rule by enabling the plurality of parameters;
• the receiver being configured to receive, from the control server, a modified control rule for the service, wherein the modified control rule includes a removal indicator indicating a particular parameter to be removed for the first control rule previously installed;
• the one or more processors being configured to remove the particular parameter indicated by the removal indicator for the first control rule previously installed;
• if any additional parameter is included in the modified control rule, the one or more processors being configured to enable the additional parameter for the first control rule previously installed;
• and
• the one or more processors being configured to enforce the first control rule with the enabled parameters.