TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present subject matter relate to a wireless network. More particularly  the embodiments of the present subject matter relate to improving quality of service (QoS) in the wireless network.

BACKGROUND

Long term evolution (LTE) network is a standard mobile broadband technology that provides a high speed Internet experience to subscribers (e.g.  mobile subscribers). Currently  a rapid increase in number of subscribers and recent emergence of new applications  such as multimedia online gaming (MMOG)  mobile television (TV)  Web 2.0 and the like have resulted in a large scale increase in data (e.g.  mobile data) and bandwidth usage. Due to the rapid increase in the number of subscribers  the data and the bandwidth usage  processing load in the LTE network is increasing which may lead to more traffic congestion  data packet delay and/or data packet loss. Hence  the subscribers’ experience is impacted. Also  network operators (e.g.  mobile network operators) have to manage high speed data traffic from the increased number of subscribers to improve the subscribers’ experience by providing a good quality of service (QoS).

Typically  QoS in the LTE network is defined by parameters  such as a priority  a data packet delay budget and a data packet loss rate. Generally  to provide a good QoS  the LTE network prioritizes data packets associated with applications and services (e.g.  mobile services) such that  minimum data packet delay budget and data packet loss rate are ensured. The above mentioned parameters are further associated with a logical connectivity between the LTE network and devices (e.g.  mobile devices) of the subscribers. The logical connectivity is of two types  namely default evolved packet service (EPS) bearers and dedicated EPS bearers. Typically  the default EPS bearers and the dedicated EPS bearers are implemented in LTE network elements  such as a packet data network gateway (PDN GW) and a service gateway (SGW) to be compliant with LTE network standards. Further  the devices of the subscribers supporting the default EPS bearers and dedicated EPS bearers will be able to communicate with the LTE network.
However  in the case where the default EPS bearers are used  there is no guaranteed bit rate (GBR) between the devices and the PDN GW/SGW due to lack of prioritization of the data packets or due to preferential treatment of the data packets. As a result  a high priority  low delay application data packet gets the same LTE network treatment as a low priority  high delay application data packet. Also  in the case where the dedicated EPS bearers are used  application data packets are ensured a GBR due to priority processing in the PDN GW/SGW. As a result  the data packets over the default EPS bearers get a de-prioritized treatment in the PDN GW/SGW. This can end up increasing the data packet delay budget and data packet loss rate.