Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites, that are overloaded. When the traffic intensity on a particular facility exceeds a predetermined level, either active or passive control is imposed on subscribers that are in the geographic area of the facility. Active control involves blocking, delaying or disrupting subscriber calls during the critical time period. Passive control involves providing cost incentives or disincentives during low or peak periods of traffic intensity. Customers are notified of the commencement and/or termination of active or passive control preferably via SMS. When implemented with stationary cellular service, the systems and methods aid in traffic engineering and provide opportunities for customers to reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of telephone service.

1 . A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to control communications traffic based on a traffic control plan associated with a communications network, the control logic comprising computer-readable program code for causing the computer to: 
 when traffic conditions at a network element are congested, verify which affected communications devices still have permission to access the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested; and    implement a traffic control measure according to a control plan associated with one or more of the affected communications device;    wherein the traffic control measure includes causing the computer to permit access to the communications network for some of the affected communications devices based on a grade of service associated with the one or more affected communications devices.    
   
   
       2 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the traffic control measure further includes causing the computer to alter a cost of communicating for the affected communications devices that based on the control plan still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       3 . The computer program product of  claim 2 , wherein causing the computer to alter a cost of communicating comprises causing the computer to increase a price of communicating for the affected communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       4 . The computer program product of  claim 3 , wherein causing the computer to increase a price of communicating comprises causing the computer to increase a price for communicating during congested traffic conditions on a per minute basis based on the grade of service.  
   
   
       5 . The computer program product of  claim 3 , wherein causing the computer to increase a price of communicating comprises causing the computer to charge a monthly service fee or activation fee for the affected communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       6 . The computer program product of  claim 3 , wherein the affected communications devices comprises wireless devices communicating over a wireless network and wherein the computer comprises one of an application server, a radio port controller, or an access control device.  
   
   
       7 . The computer program product of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless devices and wireless network operate via one of code division multiple access (CDMA) or global system for mobile communications (GSM).  
   
   
       8 . A traffic control system for controlling traffic on a communications network, the system comprising: 
 a network control center that receives traffic data identifying traffic conditions associated with at least one element of the communications network; and    a traffic control application that, for one or more of the network elements: 
 receives information identifying what grade of service is associated with one or more communications devices that still have permission to access the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested; and  
 when traffic conditions are congested, implements communications via the communications network for the communications devices associated with a subscriber identifier having the grade of service denoting continued access to the communications network during congested traffic conditions.  
   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the traffic control application is further operative to alter a cost of communicating for the communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the traffic control application operative to alter a cost of communicating is operative to increase a price of communicating for the communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the traffic control application operative to increase a price of communicating is operative to increase a price for communicating during congested traffic conditions on a per minute basis based on the grade of service.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the traffic control application operative to increase a price of communicating is operative to charge a monthly service fee or activation fee for the communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the communications devices are wireless devices communicating over a wireless network.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the wireless devices and wireless network operate via one of code division multiple access (CDMA) or global system for mobile communications (GSM).  
   
   
       15 . A method for controlling communications traffic based on a traffic control plan associated with a communications network, the method comprising: 
 receiving information identifying what grade of service is associated with one or more communications devices that still have permission to access the communications network when traffic conditions are congested; and    when traffic conditions are congested, permitting communications via the communications network for communications devices associated with the grade of service denoting continued access to the communications network during congested traffic conditions.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising altering a cost of communicating for the communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein altering a cost of communicating comprises increasing a price of communicating for the communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein increasing a price of communicating comprises increasing a price for communicating during congested traffic conditions on a per minute basis based on the grade of service.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein increasing a price of communicating is operative to charge a monthly service fee or activation fee for the communications devices that based on the grade of service still have access to the communications network when the traffic conditions are congested.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein permitting communications for the communications devices comprises completing communications for wireless devices communicating over a wireless network and wherein the wireless devices and wireless network operate via one of code division multiple access (CDMA) or global system for mobile communications (GSM).