Multimedia next generation network architecture for IP services delivery based on network and user policy

A system for providing a first service which utilizes a first application layer (above Layer 3) service control protocol and a second service which utilizes a second application layer (above Layer 3) service control protocol, for subscribers' access terminals (ATs), the system comprising:

• an application layer comprising:
• a first application server for providing the first service in accord with the first application layer service control protocol,
• a second application server for providing the second service in accord with the second application layer service control protocol, and
• one or more Call Session Control Functions (CSCFs) for providing application layer (above Layer 3) control of subscribers' packet communications for the first service through the system;
• at least one link layer (Layer 2) network element, each link layer (Layer 2) network element for:
• (1) providing two-way transport for packet communication for one or more of the subscribers' ATs for communications with the at least one application server for the first service in accord with the first application layer service control protocol, and
• (2) providing two-way transport for packet communication for one or more of the subscribers' ATs for communications with the at least one application server for the second service in accord with the second application layer service control protocol,
• wherein:
• the first application layer service control protocol is session initiation protocol (SIP);
• the second application layer service control protocol comprises one or more non-SIP protocols;
• the first service which utilizes the first application layer (above Layer 3) service control protocol comprises one or more services based on SIP;
• and
• the second service which utilizes the second application layer (above Layer 3) service control protocol comprises one or more non-SIP services;
• a network layer (Layer 3) comprising:
• (a) an Advanced Bearer Control Point (ABCP) for tracking network layer (Layer 3) delivery of communication for the subscribers' ATs involved in communications through the at least one link layer network element, for tracking availability of resources for providing communication through the network, and for determining allocations of the resources to the subscribers' ATs for the communications for the first and second services through the network in accordance with a network policy;
• and
• (b) an access gateway for routing subscribers' communication packets for the first and second services to and from the at least one link layer network element;
• and
• a plurality of policy enforcement functions distributed across the network for controlling the subscribers' packet communications at network layer three (Layer 3) or above, so as to implement the determined resource allocations for the communications for the first and second services for the subscribers' ATs, wherein:
• the policy enforcement functions include the one or more Call Session Control Functions (CSCFs) in the application layer above network layer three (Layer 3), and
• the access gateway implements one of the policy enforcement functions at network layer three (Layer 3) by controlling the routing of subscribers' communication packets so as to implement resource allocations determined by the ABCP, for the communications for the one or more of the ATs through the at least one link layer network element.