Methods and apparatus for coordinated utilization of quasi-licensed wireless spectrum

A computerized client device configured for use within at least first and second wireless access networks, the computerized client device comprising:

• at least one wireless interface;
• a digital processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one wireless interface;
• and
• a storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising a computer program configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus, implement wireless connection management logic of the computerized client device to:
• obtain first data relating to at least one first performance metric of at least a portion of a first wireless access network configured to use quasi-licensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum;
• obtain second data relating to at least one second performance metric of at least a portion of a second wireless access network configured to use licensed RF spectrum;
• cause evaluation of the first data and the second data, the evaluation conducted using third data relating to one or more policies, the one or more policies comprising at least one of (i) a user-specific or user-account specific policy, or (ii) a device-specific policy;
• and
• based at least on the evaluation, cause selection of one of the first wireless access network or the second wireless access network, for at least providing digital services to the computerized client device.

A computerized client device configured for use within at least first and second wireless access networks, the computerized client device comprising:

• at least one wireless interface;
• a digital processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one wireless interface;
• and
• a storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising a computer program configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus, implement wireless connection management logic of the computerized client device to:
• obtain first data relating to at least one first performance metric of at least a portion of a first wireless access network configured to use quasi-licensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum;
• obtain second data relating to at least one second performance metric of at least a portion of a second wireless access network configured to use licensed RF spectrum, the second wireless access network comprising a mobile network operator (MNO) network having at least one user roaming policy;
• cause evaluation of the first data and the second data, the evaluation conducted using third data relating to one or more policies, the one or more policies comprising the at least one user roaming policy;
• and
• based at least on the evaluation, cause selection of one of the first wireless access network or the second wireless access network, for at least providing digital services to the computerized client device.

A computerized client device configured for use within at least first and second wireless access networks, the computerized client device comprising:

• at least one wireless interface;
• a digital processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one wireless interface;
• and
• a storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising a computer program configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus, implement wireless connection management logic of the computerized client device to:
• obtain first data relating to at least one first performance metric of at least a portion of a first wireless access network configured to use quasi-licensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum;
• obtain second data relating to at least one second performance metric of at least a portion of a second wireless access network configured to use licensed RF spectrum, the second wireless access network comprising a mobile network operator (MNO) network;
• cause evaluation of the first data and the second data, the evaluation conducted using third data relating to one or more policies, the one or more policies relating to one or more pre-defined services which require respective differentiated one or more resource allocations;
• and
• based at least on the evaluation, cause selection of one of the first wireless access network or the second wireless access network, for at least providing digital services to the computerized client device.

A computerized client device configured for use within at least first and second wireless access networks, the computerized client device comprising:

• at least one wireless interface;
• a digital processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one wireless interface;
• and
• a storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising a computer program configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus, implement wireless connection management logic of the computerized client device to:
• obtain, autonomously from at least one of a network management or controller process, first data relating to at least one first performance metric of at least a portion of a first wireless access network configured to use quasi-licensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum;
• obtain, autonomously from the at least one of the network management or the controller process, second data relating to at least one second performance metric of at least a portion of a second wireless access network configured to use licensed RF spectrum;
• cause, autonomously from the at least one of the network management or the controller process, evaluation of the first data and the second data;
• and
• based at least on the evaluation, cause selection, autonomously from the at least one of the network management or the controller process, of one of the first wireless access network or the second wireless access network, for at least providing digital services to the computerized client device.

A computerized client device configured for use within at least first and second wireless access networks, the computerized client device comprising:

• at least one wireless interface;
• a digital processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one wireless interface;
• and
• a storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising a computer program configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus, implement wireless connection management logic of the computerized client device to:
• obtain first data relating to at least one first performance metric of at least a portion of a first wireless access network configured to use quasi-licensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum;
• obtain second data relating to at least one second performance metric of at least a portion of a second wireless access network configured to use licensed RF spectrum;
• cause evaluation of the first data and the second data, the causation of the evaluation comprising causation of at least a portion of the evaluation to be performed by one or more network management or controller processes;
• and
• based at least on the evaluation, cause selection of one of the first wireless access network or the second wireless access network, for at least providing digital services to the computerized client device.

A computerized method of supplementing a first wireless network operated by a mobile network operator (MNO) using a second wireless network operated by a multiple systems operator (MSO), comprising:

• evaluating at least a portion of the first wireless network and at least a portion the second wireless network with respect to a prescribed area;
• based at least on the evaluating, determining a need for a first computerized user device, located within the prescribed area and maintaining a connection to the first wireless network, to access the second wireless network, wherein the connection to the first wireless network is via a first air interface protocol, the first air interface protocol comprising a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) protocol configured to utilize one or more licensed portions of a radio frequency spectrum;
• allocating at least a portion of quasi-licensed spectrum of the second wireless network to the first computerized user device;
• and
• causing the first computerized user device to transition to communication via the at least portion of the quasi-licensed spectrum, wherein the communication via the at least portion of the quasi-licensed spectrum is via a second air interface protocol, the second air interface protocol comprising a 3GPP protocol configured to utilize one or more unlicensed portions of the radio frequency spectrum.

A computerized wireless device configured for use in each of a first wireless network operated by a mobile network operator (MNO) and a second wireless network operated by a multiple systems operator (MSO), the computerized wireless device comprising:

• at least one wireless interface;
• digital processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one wireless interface;
• and
• a storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising a computer program configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus, cause the computerized wireless device to:
• maintain a wireless connection to the first wireless network while operating within a prescribed area or location;
• obtain first data indicating a need for the computerized wireless device to access the second wireless network, the obtainment of the first data indicating the need for the computerized wireless device to access the second wireless network comprises receipt of data from a network process of the first wireless network, the first data based at least on an evaluation of one or more policies of the first wireless network relating to supplemental use of at least the second wireless network by the computerized wireless device;
• receive second data indicative of an allocation of a portion of quasi-licensed spectrum of the second wireless network;
• and
• based at least on the first data and the second data, transition to wireless communication via the at least the portion of the quasi-licensed spectrum.