Data traffic control

A method for controlling data traffic of a communication network managed by a network operator, NWO, the data traffic being associated with an NWO subscription of an original equipment manufacturer, OEM, and comprises first type traffic and second type traffic, the second type traffic being between a data service provider and an end user device provided by the OEM, the second type traffic comprising downlink second type traffic and uplink second type traffic, and the first type traffic being between the OEM and the end user device, the method being implemented in a system comprising a first apparatus and a second apparatus, the first apparatus comprising a first controller of the OEM, the second apparatus comprising a second controller of the end user device, the method comprising:

• acquiring, by the first controller, one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters of the end user device by one or both of:
• receiving a signal indicative of at least one device-specific second type traffic consumption parameter;
• and
• detecting a breach of an agreement between the OEM and a user of the end user device regarding at least one second type traffic consumption parameter, the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters specifying one or both of:
• whether or not the second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device is to be blocked;
• and
• a maximum allowed amount of the second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device;
• in response to acquiring the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters, causing, by the first controller:
• a downlink data traffic restrictor of the NWO to restrict the downlink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters:
• an uplink data traffic restrictor of the end user device to restrict the uplink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters:
• acquiring, by the second controller, an indication of the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters of the end user device;
• and
• in response to acquiring the indication of the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters, causing, by the second controller:
• the uplink data traffic restrictor of the end user device to restrict the uplink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters.

An apparatus for controlling data traffic of a communication network managed by a network operator, NWO, the data traffic being associated with an NWO subscription of an original equipment manufacturer, OEM, and comprises first type traffic and second type traffic, being the second type traffic being between a data service provider and an end user device provided by the OEM, the second type traffic comprising downlink second type traffic and uplink second type traffic, and the first type traffic being between the OEM and the end user device, the apparatus comprising controlling circuitry configured to:

• acquire one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters of the end user device by one or both of:
• receiving a signal indicative of at least one device-specific second type traffic consumption parameter;
• and
• detecting a breach of an agreement between the OEM and a user of the end user device regarding at least one second type traffic consumption parameter, the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters specifying one or both of:
• whether or not the second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device is to be blocked;
• and
• a maximum allowed amount of the second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device;
• in response to acquiring the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters, cause:
• a downlink data traffic restrictor of the NWO to restrict the downlink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters;
• and
• an uplink data traffic restrictor of the end user device to restrict the uplink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters.

A system comprising a first apparatus and a second apparatus for controlling data traffic of a communication network managed by a network operator, NWO, the data traffic being associated with an NWO subscription of an original equipment manufacturer, OEM, and comprises first type traffic and second type traffic, the second type traffic being between a data service provider and an end user device provided by the OEM, the second type traffic comprising downlink second type traffic and uplink second type traffic, and the first type traffic being between the OEM and the end user device:

• the first apparatus comprising first controlling circuitry configured to:
• acquire one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters of the end user device by one or both of:
• receiving a signal indicative of at least one device-specific second type traffic consumption parameter;
• and
• detecting a breach of an agreement between the OEM and a user of the end user device regarding at least one second type traffic consumption parameter, the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters specifying one or both of:
• whether or not the second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device is to be blocked;
• and
• a maximum allowed amount of the second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device;
• in response to acquiring the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters, cause:
• a downlink data traffic restrictor of the NWO to restrict the downlink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters;
• and
• an uplink data traffic restrictor of the end user device to restrict the uplink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters;
• the second apparatus comprising second controlling circuitry configured to:
• acquire an indication of the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters of the end user device;
• and
• in response to acquiring the indication of the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters, cause:
• the uplink data traffic restrictor of the end user device to restrict the uplink second type traffic between the data service provider and the end user device in accordance with the one or more device-specific second type traffic consumption parameters.