User equipment and media streaming network assistance node

A media streaming network assistance node of a radio access network, comprising:

• at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor generates network assistance information associated with a media streaming session between a user equipment and a media streaming service connected to a wide area network, the media streaming session being an end-to-end connection between the user equipment and the media streaming server conducted via the radio access network;
• and
• an interface to receive media streaming session related information from the user equipment, the media streaming session related information including information on a time-dependent change of a buffer level in buffering performed by the user equipment during the media streaming session;
• wherein the at least one processor causes storage of the media streaming session related information received from the user equipment;
• and
• wherein the at least one processor uses the media streaming session related information received from the user equipment to provide network assistance information for media streaming to the user equipment,
• wherein the network assistance information affects at least a buffering procedure performed by the user equipment in the media streaming session and assists the user equipment to identify a suitable media quality.

A media streaming method, comprising:

• requesting, by a user equipment, network assistance from a radio access network for a media streaming session between the user equipment and a media streaming server connected to a wide area network, the media streaming session being an end-to-end connection between the user equipment and the media streaming server conducted via the radio access network;
• receiving, by the user equipment, network assistance information from the radio access network;
• setting, by the user equipment, at least one parameter for execution of the media streaming session as a function of the received network assistance information;
• generating, by the user equipment, media streaming session related information from characteristics monitored during the media streaming session, the media streaming session related information including information on a time-dependent change of a buffer level in buffering performed by the user equipment during the media streaming session;
• and
• transmitting, by the user equipment, the media streaming session related information over the wireless interface to the radio access network for storage and for generation of the network assistance information by the radio access network,
• wherein the network assistance information assists the user equipment in selecting at least a parameter of a buffering procedure the media streaming session and a media quality of the media streaming session.