BACKGROUND

The architecture of cellular networks can be complex. Similarly, the demands of users on the cellular network can be complex in that demand varies significantly with time and location. An external entity that desires wireless access to a cellular network may contact a network administrator to gain access. Typically, a standard set of terms is provided to a client defining the conditions of their access. Such an arrangement may not be optimal because it does not take into account the network loads being experienced by the cellular network at the locations and times expected to be used by the client. Arrangement detailed herein are focused on how to effectively apportion capacity on a cellular network based on the requirements of clients and the capabilities of the cellular network.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments are described related to a method for managing cellular network slicing. In some embodiments, a method for managing cellular network slicing is described. The method may comprise obtaining, by a cellular network management system, performance data from a plurality of cellular network components of a cellular network over time. The plurality of cellular network components may comprise radio access network (RAN) components and cellular network data centers of the core cellular network. The method may comprise analyzing, by the cellular network management system, the performance data from the plurality of cellular network components to create a cellular network model indicative of performance of discrete portions of the cellular network over time. The method may comprise receiving, by the cellular network management system, a service request from an external entity distinct from an entity operating the cellular network and cellular network management system. The service request may define a plurality of quality of service (QoS) parameters requested by the external entity. The method may comprise analyzing, by the cellular network management system, the cellular network model to determine that the cellular network has sufficient available resources to satisfy the plurality of QoS parameters of the service request. The method may comprise creating, by the cellular network management system, a cellular network access conditions package. The cellular network access conditions package may define one or more conditions under which the external entity may be eligible to utilize the cellular network. The method may comprise transmitting, by the cellular network management system, the cellular network access conditions package to the external entity. The method may comprise receiving, by the cellular network management system, acceptance of the cellular network access conditions package from the external entity. The method may comprise configuring, by the cellular network management system, at least some of the plurality of cellular network components to permit access to the cellular network by user equipment (UE) of the external entity in accordance with the cellular network access conditions package. The method may comprise providing, by the cellular network, data services to the UE of the external entity in accordance with the cellular network access conditions package.

Embodiments of a such a method may include one or more of the following features: the plurality of QoS parameters may comprise an indication of a location where the QoS parameters are to be met. The performance data obtained from the plurality of cellular network components of the cellular network may comprise radio congestion data for the location where the QoS parameters are to be met. The cellular network access conditions package may comprise matching QoS parameters that may exactly match the QoS parameters of the service request. The QoS parameters of the service request may comprise a time period defining when the QoS parameters are requested to be realized. The cellular network access conditions package may comprise a first set of modified QoS parameters that differ from the QoS parameters of the service request. The cellular network access conditions package further may comprise a second set of QoS parameters that may match the QoS parameters of the service request. The cellular network access conditions package further may comprise a first price mapped to the first set of QoS parameters and a second price mapped to the second set of QoS parameters. The cellular network access conditions package may be indicative of a price.

In some embodiments, a cellular network management system is described. The system may comprise a communication interface that communicates with a plurality of cellular network components of a cellular network. The system may comprise one or more processors in communication with the communication interface. The system may comprise a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to obtain performance data from the plurality of cellular network components of the cellular network over time via the communication interface. The apparatus may analyze the performance data from the plurality of cellular network components to create a cellular network model indicative of performance of discrete portions of the cellular network over time. The apparatus may receive a service request from an external entity distinct from an entity operating the cellular network and cellular network management system. The service request may define a plurality of quality of service (QoS) parameters requested by the external entity. The apparatus may analyze the cellular network model to determine that the cellular network has sufficient available resources to satisfy the plurality of QoS parameters of the service request. The apparatus may create a cellular network access conditions package. The cellular network access conditions package may define one or more conditions under which the external entity may be eligible to utilize the cellular network. The apparatus may transmit the cellular network access conditions package to the external entity. The apparatus may receive acceptance of the cellular network access conditions package from the external entity. The apparatus may configure at least some of the plurality of cellular network components to permit access to the cellular network by user equipment (UE) of the external entity in accordance with the cellular network access conditions package.

Embodiments of such a system may include one or more of the following features: the plurality of QoS parameters may comprise an indication of a location where the QoS parameters are to be met. The performance data obtained from the plurality of cellular network components of the cellular network may comprise radio congestion data for the location where the QoS parameters are to be met. The cellular network access conditions package may comprise matching QoS parameters that exactly match the QoS parameters of the service request. The QoS parameters of the service request may comprise a time period defining when the QoS parameters are requested to be realized. The cellular network access conditions package may comprise a first set of modified QoS parameters that differ from the QoS parameters of the service request. The cellular network access conditions package may further comprise a second set of QoS parameters that match the QoS parameters of the service request. The cellular network access conditions package may further comprise a first price mapped to the first set of QoS parameters and a second price mapped to the second set of QoS parameters. The cellular network access conditions package may be indicative of a price.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is described. The medium may include instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to obtain performance data from a plurality of cellular network components of a cellular network over time. The plurality of cellular network components may comprise radio access network (RAN) components and cellular network data centers of the core cellular network. The medium may analyze the performance data from the plurality of cellular network components to create a cellular network model indicative of performance of discrete portions of the cellular network over time. The medium may receive a service request from an external entity distinct from an entity operating the cellular network and cellular network management system. The service request may define a plurality of quality of service (QoS) parameters requested by the external entity. The medium may analyze the cellular network model to determine that the cellular network has sufficient available resources to satisfy the plurality of QoS parameters of the service request. The medium may create a cellular network access conditions package. The cellular network access conditions package may define one or more conditions under which the external entity may be eligible to utilize the cellular network. The medium may transmit the cellular network access conditions package to the external entity. The medium may receive acceptance of the cellular network access conditions package from the external entity. The medium may configure at least some of the plurality of cellular network components to permit access to the cellular network by user equipment (UE) of the external entity in accordance with the cellular network access conditions package.

Embodiments of a such a medium may include one or more of the following features: the plurality of QoS parameters may comprise an indication of a location where the QoS parameters are to be met. The performance data obtained from the plurality of cellular network components of the cellular network may comprise radio congestion data for the location where the QoS parameters are to be met.

