A potential evolution of the policy and charging control/QoS architecture for the 3GPP IETF-based evolved packet core

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 8 defines the specifications of a low latency, high-data rate all-IP Core Network (CN) capable of supporting real-time packet services over multiple access technologies, including the new Long-Term Evolution (LTE) access network. The mobile communications industry is maturing. In order to remain competitive many operators now focus on reducing their capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX), by outsourcing some of their business activities and/or by sharing some network infrastructures. This article presents a possible evolution of the 3GPP Policy and Charging Control (PCC) and Quality of Service (QoS) architecture to better support Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) and more flexible CN sharing solutions. This goal is achieved with a clearer separation of the business roles (e.g. access and network providers) and the introduction of a Network Policy Function (NPF) for the management of the CN.