Single operator managed policy and charging function for fixed mobile convergence networks

A network-side apparatus for facilitating operation of a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) system;

• comprising:
• a receiver that receives policy enforcement information for operation of a user equipment (UE) from a policy and charging rule function-plus (PCRF+) in the FMC system, the policy enforcement information being based on an access technology used by the UE;
• and
• a policy enforcer that enforces a service policy based on the received policy enforcement information.

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a method of facilitating operation of a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) system implemented at a broadband network gateway;

• the method comprising:
• receiving policy enforcement information for operation of a user equipment (UE) from a policy and charging rule function-plus (PCRF+) in the FMC system, the policy enforcement information being based on an access technology used by the UE;
• and
• enforcing a service policy based on the received policy enforcement information.

An apparatus for facilitating operation of a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) system at a broadband network gateway;

• comprising:
• means for receiving policy enforcement information for operation of a user equipment (UE) from a policy and charging rule function-plus (PCRF+) in the FMC system, the policy enforcement information being based on an access technology used by the UE;
• and
• means for enforcing a service policy based on the received policy enforcement information.

An apparatus for facilitating operation of a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) network;

• the method comprising:
• obtaining information about an access network associated with a user equipment (UE);
• and
• communicating a policy and charging rule based on the obtained information about the access network.

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a method of facilitating operation of a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) network;

• the method comprising:
• obtaining information about an access network associated with a user equipment (UE);
• and
• communicating a policy and charging rule based on the obtained information about the access network.

An apparatus for facilitating operation of a fixed mobile convergence (FMC) network;

• the apparatus comprising:
• means for obtaining information about an access network associated with a user equipment (UE);
• and
• means for communicating a policy and charging rule based on the obtained information about the access network.