Multi-layered distributed GTP-C processing

A method for communication between a first user device and a second user device via a telecommunication network, the network comprising two or more clusters, each cluster comprising

• one or more gateways;
• a run-time database storing information on the load of the gateways,
• a subscriber database storing information on user profiles associated to the first user device, the user profiles including information on the location of the second user device;
• and
• a load balancer;
• the method comprising the following steps:
• receiving, at a load balancer of a first cluster of the two or more clusters, a connection request from the first user device;
• sending, from the load balancer of the first cluster, a request message to a Runtime database of the first cluster;
• and
• receiving, at the load balancer, in response to said request message load information about all gateways;
• selecting by the load balancer a gateway of the first cluster having a load in compliance with a predetermined load criterion;
• transmitting, from the first load balancer, the connection request from the first user device to the selected gateway of the first cluster
• querying, by the gateway, the subscriber database for the user profile using an international mobile subscriber identity, IMSI, associated with the first user device;
• identifying, by the gateway, according to the user profile whether the first cluster is the preferred cluster for the second user device;
• if the first cluster is the preferred cluster of the second user device, establishing by the gateway a communication session between the first user device and the second user device by means of a response message to the gateway to which the first user device is connected and the user profile;
• if the first cluster is not the preferred cluster for the second user device, transmitting, from the gateway, the connection request to a load balancer of a second cluster of the two or more clusters which is the preferred cluster for the second user device;
• sending, by the load balancer of the second cluster, a request message to the Run-Time database of the second cluster;
• and
• receiving, at the load balancer of the second cluster, a response message from the run-time database of the second cluster including the load information of the gateway of the second cluster;
• selecting by the load balancer of the second cluster a gateway in the second cluster having a load in compliance with a predetermined load criterion;
• transmitting, from the load balancer of the second cluster, the connection request from the first user device to the selected gateway of the second cluster
• querying, by the gateway, the subscriber database for the user profile using an international mobile subscriber identity, IMSI, number, associated with the first user device;
• identifying, by the gateway, according to the subscriber database whether the connection request complies with the user profile and establishing by the gateway a communication session between the first user device and the second user device by sending a response message to the gateway in the first cluster.