APN-AMBR authorization in GPRS mobile network

A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method on a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method comprising:

• receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request;
• determining that no operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value;
• determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value;
• setting the CCR APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to another APN-AMBR value for a subscriber associated with the GPRS IP-CAN session;
• setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the APN-AMBR value for a subscriber and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value;
• and
• sending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with a selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

A policy and charging rules node (PCRN) comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• receive a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request;
• determine that no operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value;
• determine that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value;
• set the CCR APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to another APN-AMBR value for a subscriber associated with the GPRS IP-CAN session;
• set a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the APN-AMBR value for a subscriber and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value;
• and
• send a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with a selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.