EP4635218A1 - Method for the reallocation of communication resources by an entity delegated reallocation authorization - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates, in particular, to a method (10) for reallocating communication resources allocated to an operator (TELCO) of a first access network of a wireless communication system, the method (10) comprising: - a delegated entity transmitting (S10), to a delegating entity, a request for delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate; - the delegated entity receiving (S11) delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources; - the delegated entity reallocating (S12) communication resources to an operator of a second access network according to the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources of the delegated entity.

Description

Description

Title: Process for reallocation of communication resources by an entity delegated with reallocation authorization

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the field of wireless communication systems, and more particularly concerns a method for reassigning communication resources, allocated to an operator of a first access network, to an operator of a second network access.

Prior art

[0002] Communication resources, in particular radio frequencies, are rare and strategic resources whose use is generally subject to the control of a regulatory authority (Agence Nationale des Fréquences, ANFR, in France). [0003] For example, the use of certain frequency bands is subject to prior obtaining of an operating license, issued by the regulatory authority. This is the case for example for cellular wireless communication systems (3G, 4G, 5G, etc.), which use frequency bands for which operating licenses are issued, and whose duration is order of several years (generally 20 years).

[0004] These frequency bands are therefore allocated (rented) statically to operators benefiting from such operating licenses.

[0005] Nowadays, there is a strong incentive from regulatory authorities to share frequency bands in order to make their use more efficient.

[0006] For example, it could be envisaged to temporarily reallocate all or part of a frequency band allocated statically, in order for example to deploy a temporary and local access network intended to serve an event such as a concert, a sporting competition, etc.

Summary

[0007] The present disclosure aims to remedy all or part of the limitations of the solutions of the prior art, in particular those set out above, by proposing a solution which makes it possible to share communication resources in a more efficient manner. dynamic.

[0008] Furthermore, the proposed solution makes it possible, at least in certain embodiments, to trace the respective responsibilities of the different actors involved in the sharing and/or to automatically check the authorizations of the various actors involved in the sharing, and possibly to check the use made of shared communication resources, in particular in order to limit the risk of interference.

[0009] For this purpose, a method of reallocation of resources of communication assigned to an operator of a first access network of a wireless communication system, said reallocation method comprising: a transmission, by a delegating entity and to a delegating entity, of a delegation request authorization to reallocate communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, a receipt, by the delegating entity, of a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources, said delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources comprising a set of parameters describing the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegating entity by the delegating entity, a reallocation of communication resources, by the delegating entity, to an operator of a second access network depending on the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources of said delegated entity.

[0010] Thus, the proposed solution aims at the reallocation (that is to say the sharing) of communication resources allocated to an operator of a first access network. This operator of the first access network typically corresponds to the operator benefiting from a license to operate communication resources (in particular frequency resources) obtained from the regulatory authority, and the reallocation aims to share (c 'that is to say sublet) all or part of these communication resources with a third party.

[0011] To this end, the proposed solution allows a delegated entity to request a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources allocated to the operator of the first access network. This delegated entity is therefore authorized, once it has obtained a delegation of authorization to reallocate, to reallocate the communication resources concerned to an operator of a second access network, for example deployed temporarily and localized for serve an event such as a concert, a sporting competition, etc. The delegating entity is for example directly the operator of the first access network, or another delegating entity having obtained a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources from the operator of the first access network, etc. It should be noted that the operator of the first access network can also be a delegated entity, if it has requested and obtained a delegation of authorization to reassign, from the regulatory authority (for example the ANFR) , all or part of the communication resources which were initially allocated to it by the regulatory authority.

[0012] Thus, such a delegated entity can act as an intermediation platform between customers (the operator of the second access network) and suppliers (the operator of the first access network), in charge of carrying out more dynamically the reallocation of communications resources. Such a delegated entity can also obtain delegations of authorizations to reallocate communication resources from different operators holding operating licenses obtained from the regulatory authority, so that it is then easier to respond to a specific reallocation request from an operator of a second access network.

[0013] The scope of the delegated reassignment authorization is defined by a set of parameters included in the reassignment authorization delegation received by the delegating entity. The delegation of authorization to reassign may also, optionally, be provided to the regulatory authority for control.

[0014] In particular modes of implementation, the reallocation process may also include, optionally, one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.

[0015] In particular modes of implementation, the delegation of authorization to reassign includes a smart contract to be executed to obtain the set of parameters describing the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegating entity by the delegating entity and /or to determine, before a reallocation of communication resources, whether the envisaged reallocation complies with the authorization to reallocate delegated by the delegating entity.

[0016] The use of a smart contract makes it possible to automate the verification of compliance with the delegation of authorization to reassign granted, since it is enough to execute said smart contract to do so. Additionally, the smart contract, provided in the form of non-editable binary code, is not editable, so the scope of the delegated reassign permission cannot be changed, intentionally or inadvertently.

[0017] In particular modes of implementation, the reallocation method comprises, after reallocation, by the delegating entity, of communication resources to the operator of the second access network: reception, by the delegating entity , information and/or measurements relating to use by the second access network of the reallocated communication resources, an evaluation of conformity of use of the communication resources by the second access network, by comparison of the information and/or measurements with a set of parameters describing the use of communication resources authorized by the delegated entity.

[0018] Such provisions allow the delegated entity to verify that the use made of the reassigned communication resources complies with the conditions of use authorized by said delegated entity, in order for example to limit the risks interference. Optionally, it is also possible to verify that the use made of the reallocated communication resources complies with the authorization to reallocate delegated by the delegating entity.

[0019] In particular modes of implementation, the delegated entity generates a smart contract to be executed to compare the information and/or measurements with the set of parameters describing the use of communication resources authorized by the delegated entity .

[0020] The use of a smart contract makes it possible to automate the verification of compliance with the conditions of use authorized by the delegated entity.

[0021] In particular modes of implementation, the set of parameters includes information relating to an authorization to grant sub-delegations of authorization to reassign and, if the delegating entity is authorized to grant a sub-delegation delegation of authorization to reassign, the delegating entity issues a delegation of authorization to reassign to another delegating entity, at the request of said other delegating entity and depending on the delegation of authorization to reassign communication resources granted by the delegating entity.

[0022] Thus, in such implementation modes, it is possible to sub-delegate authorizations to reassign, therefore allowing other actors to intervene to facilitate the dynamic sharing of communication resources. The information relating to this authorization to grant sub-delegations may also, optionally, indicate a sub-delegation depth representative of a total number of successive sub-delegations that can be granted.

[0023] In particular modes of implementation, the delegating entity is a delegating entity having obtained a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources provided by another delegating entity.

[0024] In particular modes of implementation, the delegating entity is the operator of the first access network and/or the delegating entity is authorized to use communication resources that said delegating entity is authorized to reallocate.

[0025] In particular modes of implementation, the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources also includes a digital certificate certifying that the delegating entity is authorized by the delegating entity to reallocate communication resources, said certificate digital being generated using a digital certificate delegation protocol.

[0026] The fact that such a delegating entity is actually authorized to reallocate communication resources can therefore be verified automatically by means of a digital certificate generated for the delegating entity. This digital certificate is advantageously generated by means of a digital certificate delegation protocol (for example of the ACME-STAR type) which therefore allows the delegating entity to obtain the generation of a digital certificate on behalf of the delegating entity. In such a case, the reassign permission delegation includes both the set of parameters describing the delegated reassign permission and the associated digital certificate.

[0027] In particular modes of implementation, the delegating entity indirectly generates the digital certificate for the delegating entity, by means of a digital certificate delegation protocol of the ACME-STAR type.

[0028] In particular modes of implementation, the delegated entity generates a digital certificate for the operator of the second access network to which said delegated entity reallocates communication resources, certifying that said operator of the second access network is authorized to use the reallocated communication resources. [0029] Thus, the fact that the operator of the second access network is actually authorized to use reassigned communication resources can be verified automatically by means of a digital certificate generated by the delegated entity. The operator of the second access network can therefore present, for example to the regulatory authority, the digital certificate obtained certifying that it is authorized to use the communication resources which have been reallocated to it. Preferably, the digital certificate also indicates the delegated entity having reallocated the communication resources to it.

[0030] In particular modes of implementation, the delegating entity directly generates the digital certificate for the operator of the second access network to which said delegating entity reallocates communication resources, based on the digital certificate of said delegating entity and by means of a digital certificate delegation protocol of the SubCert type.

[0031] Such provisions allow the delegated entity to generate directly, without going through a certification authority, a simplified digital certificate on behalf of the operator of the second access network.

[0032] In particular modes of implementation, the set of parameters describing the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegated entity comprises at least one among the following parameters: a start date of validity of the delegation of authorization to reassign, an end date of validity of the delegation of authorization to reassign, a description of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reassign, a power authorized for the use of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, a geographical location authorized for the use of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, a communication protocol authorized for the use of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, information relating to a authorization for the delegating entity to grant sub-delegations of authorization to reassign, information relating to an authorization for the delegating entity to suspend in whole or in part a reattribution carried out by the delegating entity, etc.

[0033] According to a second aspect, a computer program product is proposed comprising a set of program code instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least one processor to implement a reallocation method according to any one of the modes of implementation of the present disclosure.

[0034] According to a third aspect, there is proposed a recording medium readable by a computer on which is recorded a set of program code instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least a processor for implementing a reallocation method according to any one of the modes of implementation of the present disclosure.

[0035] According to a fourth aspect, a delegated entity is proposed comprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to implement a reallocation method according to any of the modes of implementation of the present disclosure.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[Fig. 1] Figure 1: a diagram illustrating the main steps of an example of implementation of a communication resource reallocation process,

- [Fig. 2] Figure 2: a schematic representation of the main exchanges allowing a reallocation of communication resources,

- [Fig. 3] Figure 3: a diagram illustrating the main steps of another example of implementing a process for reassigning communication resources,

- [Fig. 4] Figure 4: a schematic representation of the main exchanges allowing a reallocation of communication resources to be carried out, in the case of a particular example of implementation.

[0037] In these figures, identical references from one figure to another designate identical or similar elements. For reasons of clarity, the elements represented are not to scale unless otherwise noted.

[0038] Furthermore, the order of the steps indicated in these figures is given solely as a non-limiting example of the present disclosure which can be applied with the same steps executed in a different order.

Description of embodiments

[0039] As indicated above, the present disclosure concerns the sharing of communication resources, more particularly frequency resources. For example, the sharing of communication resources aims to reallocate communication resources which have previously been allocated, by a radio frequency regulatory authority (for example the ANFR in France), to an operator of a first network of access. In the remainder of the description, such an operator having a license to operate one or more frequency bands (communication resources) is designated by “TELCO” (for “telephone company”). Such allocation of communication resources to the TELCO is generally carried out on a sustainable basis, for several years. The reallocation of communication resources initially allocated to the TELCO is preferably carried out temporarily (for example of the order of one or more months), for example to allow a third party to deploy a second access network making it possible to serve temporarily an event likely to welcome many people (concert, festival, sports competition, etc.). In the remainder of the description, the third party to whom communication resources must be reallocated is referred to as “CLIENT”.

[0040] The present disclosure aims first of all to allow such reallocation in a controlled manner, and to allow other actors to intervene in the reallocation of TELCO communication resources. In particular, this disclosure proposes to allow an intermediary actor, distinct from the TELCO, to reallocate TELCO communication resources to a CUSTOMER. In the remainder of the description, we designate “SPECCO” (for “spectrum company”) any intermediary actor involved in the reallocation of communication resources from the TELCO to a CUSTOMER.

[0041] Figure 1 schematically represents the main steps of an example of implementation of a reallocation method 10.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 1, the reallocation method 10 comprises a step S10 of issuing, by a delegating entity and to a delegating entity, a request for delegation of authorization to reassign communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate. Thus, the delegating entity makes a request to obtain a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources, that is to say to be authorized by the delegating entity to reallocate communication resources. communication initially assigned to a TELCO. Thus, the delegating entity corresponds to a SPECCO, and the delegating entity corresponds for example to the TELCO to which the communication resources have been allocated, or to another SPECCO having obtained a delegation of authorization to reallocate TELCO or a other SPECCO, etc.

[0043] The reallocation method 10 then comprises a step S1 1 of reception by the delegated entity of a delegation of authorization to reassign communication resources. The delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources, received by the delegating entity, includes a set of parameters describing the authorization to reallocate delegated to the delegating entity by the delegating entity.

[0044] The set of parameters received by the delegating entity describes the scope of the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegating entity by the delegating entity. In particular, the set of parameters specifies the communication resources (for example one or more specific frequency bands) that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate. If the delegation of authorization to reassign is limited in time, the set of parameters can also specify the temporal limits of said delegation, for example in the form of a start date of validity of said delegation and/or an end date of validity of said delegation.

The set of parameters can also specify, in certain cases, certain particular conditions relating to the use that can be made of the reallocated communication resources. For example, the parameter set may specify one or more of the following conditions: an authorized power for the use of communications resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate: for example, the power may be limited to 5W or less , in the frequency band(s) specified as communications resources that can be reallocated, an authorized geographic location for the use of the communications resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate: for example, the use of communications resources reassigned communication may be limited to a specific geographic area, which may be designated in any appropriate manner (e.g. in the form of GPS coordinates and/or associated area), at least one communications protocol permitted for use of the communication resources that the delegated entity is authorized to reallocate: for example, the use of the reallocated communication resources may be limited to a 4G and/or 5G communication protocol, etc.,

[0046] The set of parameters can also specify, in certain cases, other information relating to the delegation of authorization to reassign granted. For example, the set of parameters may include, in certain cases, information relating to an authorization for the delegating entity to suspend in whole or in part the reattribution carried out by the delegating entity. Thus, the delegating entity can reserve the right to preempt the communication resources, after they have been reallocated by the delegating entity. In particular, such pre-emption may prove necessary for questions of public order, to reallocate these communication resources to the police at their request. Upon request for preemption, the delegating entity may notify the delegating entity, which in turn notifies the CUSTOMER to whom the communication resources have been reallocated that they are preempted in whole or in part.

[0047] The set of parameters describing the delegated authorization to reassign may also include, in certain cases, an identifier of the delegating entity to which this authorization to reassign is delegated and/or an identifier of the delegating entity having delegated this permission to reassign.

[0048] In preferred modes of implementation, the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources, received by the delegating entity, also includes a digital certificate certifying that the delegating entity is authorized by the delegating entity to reallocate communications resources. The digital certificate is for example generated by the delegating entity, directly or indirectly, by means of a digital certificate delegation protocol.

[0049] In the case where the delegating entity directly generates the digital certificate, said delegating entity which may previously have a digital certificate, for example of the X.509 type, uses its own digital certificate to determine a digital certificate for the account of the delegated entity. In such a case, the delegating entity executes for example a certificate delegation protocol of the SubCert type (“Delegated credentials for (D)TLS”, https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-ietf- tls-subcerts-15), which allows you to generate a simplified digital certificate from an X.509 type digital certificate.

[0050] In the case where the delegating entity indirectly generates the digital certificate, said delegating entity requests a certification authority (“Certification Authority”, CA in the Anglo-Saxon literature) to generate a digital certificate for the delegating entity . In such a case, the delegating entity and the delegating entity execute for example an ACME-STAR type certificate delegation protocol (IETF documents RFC 8555 and RFC 8739), which allows the delegating entity to recover from the certification authority (hereinafter referred to as “CA”) a digital certificate, for example of type X.509, generated by the CA at the request of the delegating entity. The case where the delegating entity indirectly generates the digital certificate for the delegating entity (via the CA), corresponds to a preferred mode of implementation because, the delegating entity being required to reallocate communication resources, it is preferable to obtain for said delegated entity a non-simplified digital certificate, for example of the X.509 type.

[0051] In the remainder of the description, we place ourselves in a non-limiting manner in the case where the delegated entity receives a digital certificate with the delegation of authorization to reassign. The digital certificate of the delegating entity and the set of parameters received make up the delegation of authorization to reassign from the delegating entity. Once the delegating entity has received this delegation of authorization to reallocate, it is authorized (and this authorization is certified by the digital certificate received) to reallocate communication resources (within the limits defined by the set of parameters) .

[0052] In preferred modes of implementation, the delegation of authorization to reassign comprises a smart contract to be executed to obtain the set of parameters describing the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegating entity by the delegating entity and /or to determine, before a reallocation of communication resources, whether the envisaged reallocation complies with the authorization to reallocate delegated by the delegating entity. In a manner known per se, a smart contract is a computer program product allowing the automatic implementation of a contract between different parties. The execution of a smart contract makes it possible in particular to automatically check whether the conditions provided for in a contract are verified and, if necessary, to automatically execute actions also provided for in the contract. If the conditions provided for in the contract are not verified, the execution of the smart contract also allows it to be traced back to the different parts of the contract.

[0053] The smart contract is for example generated by the delegating entity and transmitted to the delegating entity. The delegating entity can then execute the smart contract to find the set of parameters describing the delegated reassignment authorization. In addition, the delegating entity may, before reallocating communication resources, execute the smart contract to verify that the intended reallocation complies with the authorization to reallocate granted to it. Once the reattribution has been carried out, the delegating entity can optionally inform the delegating entity, which can also verify this reattribution by executing the smart contract that it has provided to the delegating entity.

[0054] The reallocation method 10 can then include a step S12 of reassigning communication resources, by the delegated entity, to an operator of a second access network based on the delegation of authorization to reassign resources communication of said delegated entity. The communication resources are reallocated during step S12 within the limit of what is authorized by the delegation of authorization to reallocate granted to the delegating entity, and the reallocated communication resources can correspond to all the resources of communication that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, or simply to a part of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate. The operator of the second access network corresponds to the CLIENT as defined above. [0055] In particular modes of implementation, during the reallocation (step S12), the SPECCO (delegated entity) generates a digital certificate for the CLIENT to which said SPECCO reassigns communication resources, certifying that said CUSTOMER is indeed authorized to use the reallocated communication resources. For example, the CLIENT's digital certificate is generated using a digital certificate delegation protocol. Given that the CUSTOMER is not intended to in turn reallocate the communication resources which have been reallocated to it by the SPECCO, it is possible to generate a simplified digital certificate by means of a digital certificate delegation protocol of the type SubCert. However, following other examples, nothing excludes using another type of digital certificate delegation protocol, for example ACME-STAR. [0056] It should be noted that the SPECCO (delegating entity) can also, in certain cases, delegate in turn the authorization to reallocate the communication resources received from the delegating entity. Thus, the delegating entity can in turn act as delegating entity for another delegating entity (another SPECCO), if this is authorized by the delegation of reallocation authorization received.

[0057] For this purpose, in particular modes of implementation, the set of parameters includes information relating to an authorization to grant sub-delegations of authorization to reassign, that is to say information relating to an authorization for the delegating entity to act in turn as a delegating entity. If the delegating entity (SPECCO) is authorized to grant a sub-delegation of authorization to reassign, the delegating entity issues a delegation of authorization to reassign to another delegating entity (another SPECCO), upon request of said other delegating entity and depending on the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources granted by the delegating entity. The information relating to this authorization to grant sub-delegations can also, optionally, indicate a sub-delegation depth representative of a total number of successive sub-delegations that can be granted. For example, if the depth is zero (0), this means that the delegating entity is not authorized to grant sub-delegations of reassign authorization. If the depth is equal to one (1), this means that the delegating entity (SPECCO) is authorized to delegate the authorization to reassign to another delegating entity (another SPECCO), but that this other delegating entity will not be able to in turn act as delegating entity. If the depth is equal to two (2), this means that the delegating entity (SPECCO) is authorized to delegate the authorization of reallocate to another delegating entity (another SPECCO), and that this other delegating entity can in turn act as a delegating entity, etc.

[0058] It should also be noted that the SPECCO (delegated entity) can also, in certain cases, use all or part of the communication resources that the SPECCO is authorized to reallocate. Where applicable, the SPECCO is therefore not only authorized to reallocate communication resources to a CUSTOMER, but it is also authorized to reallocate all or part of said communication resources if said SPECCO is also an operator of an access network.

[0059] As indicated above, the delegating entity corresponds for example to TELCO. The TELCO has an operating license issued by the regulatory authority. However, the fact of being able to reallocate communication resources, or of being able to authorize a SPECCO to reallocate communication resources over which the TELCO has an operating license is not necessarily provided for by said operating license. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be interesting for the TELCO to inform the regulatory authority of the fact that said TELCO plans to authorize a SPECCO to reallocate communication resources initially allocated to the TELCO. In particular modes of implementation, the TELCO (delegating entity) can also act as a delegated entity of the regulatory authority, and obtain in advance from said delegation authority a delegation of authorization to reallocate resources communications that were initially assigned to it.

[0060] Figure 2 schematically represents different exchanges making it possible to achieve the reallocation to a CUSTOMER of communication resources, initially allocated to a TELCO, via one or more SPECCOs.

[0061] In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 2, the TELCO acts as a delegating entity, but is also a delegated entity of the regulatory authority (designated by “RA” in Figure 2, for “regulation authority"). Thus, the TELCO issues a request for delegation of authorization to reassign to the RA (step M20 in Figure 2). This delegation request can for example indicate the set of parameters, corresponding to particular conditions relating to the use that can be made of the reallocated communication resources, describing the delegation of authorization to reassign that the TELCO would like to obtain. The RA then sends the delegation of authorization to reassign granted to the TELCO (step M21 in Figure 2), which can include the set of parameters desired by the TELCO, or include a set of parameters modified in relation to the wishes of the TELCO .

[0062] Then, a first SPECCO, designated by SPECCO #1 in Figure 2, issues a request for delegation of authorization to reassign to the TELCO (step M22 on Figure 2). This delegation request can for example indicate the set of parameters describing the delegation of reassignment authorization that SPECCO #1 would like to obtain. The TELCO then sends the delegation of authorization to reassign granted to SPECCO #1 (step M23 in Figure 2), which can include the set of parameters desired by SPECCO #1, or include a set of parameters modified in relation to at the wish of SPECCO #1 (within the limits of what is authorized by the delegation of authorization to reassign granted to the TELCO).

[0063] In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 2, the SPECCO #1 is authorized by the TELCO (itself possibly authorized by the RA) to act in turn as a delegating entity. In this example, a second SPECCO, designated by SPECCO #2 in Figure 2, issues a request for delegation of authorization to reassign to SPECCO #1 (step M24 in Figure 2). This delegation request can for example indicate the set of parameters describing the delegation of reassignment authorization that SPECCO #2 would like to obtain. SPECCO #1 then sends the delegation of authorization to reassign granted to SPECCO #2 (step M25 in Figure 2), which can take the set of parameters desired by SPECCO #2, or include a modified set of parameters in relation to the wishes of SPECCO #2 (within the limits of what is authorized by the delegation of authorization to reassign granted to SPECCO #1). [0064] In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 2, a CLIENT sends a request for reallocation of communication resources to SPECCO #2 (step M26 in Figure 2). SPECCO #2 reallocates communication resources to the CLIENT (within the limits of what is authorized by the delegation of authorization to reallocate granted to SPECCO #2), and sends to the CLIENT a set of parameters describing the use of communication resources. communication authorized by SPECCO #2 (step M27 in Figure 2). Everything that has been said previously about the set of parameters describing a reassignment authorization delegated to a delegated entity is also applicable to the set of parameters describing the use of communication resources that the CLIENT is authorized to make.

[0065] As indicated above, the example in Figure 2 considers the case where the TELCO must first request a delegation of authorization to reassign from the RA. However, such a request is optional, in particular if the operating license granted to the TELCO already provides for such a possibility of delegation. Furthermore, the example in Figure 2 considers the case where SPECCO #1 is also authorized to issue sub-delegations of authorization to reassign to a SPECCO #2 with a depth equal to one (1), this is i.e. SPECCO #2 is not authorized to issue sub-delegations of reassign authorization. Nothing excludes, following other examples, considering a depth different from one (1) for SPECCO #1, including a depth of zero (0) (i.e. SPECCO #1 cannot subdelegate).

[0066] Figure 3 schematically represents the main steps of a preferred mode of implementing the reallocation method 10.

[0067] In addition to the steps described with reference to Figure 1, the reallocation method 10 of Figure 3 comprises, after the reallocation, a step S13 of reception, by the delegated entity (SPECCO), of information and/or measures relating to the use made by the CUSTOMER of the communication resources reallocated to said CUSTOMER. This information and/or measurements include, for example, power measurements in different frequency bands around the geographical location in which the use of communication resources has been authorized, etc.

[0068] Then, the reallocation method 10 of Figure 3 comprises a step S14 of evaluating the conformity of use of communication resources by the CLIENT, by comparison of the information and/or measurements with the set of parameters describing the use of communication resources authorized by SPECCO. Thus, the SPECCO can verify that the use made by the CUSTOMER of the reassigned communication resources is consistent with what was planned during the reallocation. Preferably, the SPECCO can, during reallocation, generate a smart contract to carry out this verification automatically. Such a smart contract receives as input information and/or measurements relating to the authorized use of the reallocated communication resources, and automatically compares them with the set of parameters describing the use of communication resources, to determine whether the use of said reallocated communication resources is in accordance with the authorization given to the CUSTOMER.

[0069] Figure 4 schematically represents different exchanges leading to the reallocation to a CUSTOMER of communication resources, initially allocated to a TELCO, via a SPECCO. In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 4, the TELCO is both a delegating entity of the RA and a delegating entity for the SPECCO, and the SPECCO directly reallocates communication resources to a CUSTOMER without going through other SPECCOs . In addition, it is considered in the non-limiting example of Figure 4 that the digital certificates included in delegations of authorization to reassign are generated by means of an ACME-STAR type digital certificate delegation protocol. Furthermore, it is considered in the non-limiting example of Figure 4 that the sets of parameters of the delegations of authorization to reassign are in the form of smart contracts.

[0070] As illustrated in Figure 4, the TELCO issues a delegation request authorization to reassign to the RA (step M400 in Figure 4). The RA then issues a digital certificate generation request to a certification authority designated in Figure 4 by “CA” (step M401 in Figure 4). The CA then acknowledges receipt of this request and sends the RA information allowing the generated digital certificate to be retrieved (step M402 in Figure 4). The RA then sends this recovery information to the TELCO, along with the smart contract describing the delegated reassign authorization (step M403 in Figure 4). Then the TELCO sends a request to the CA, including the information allowing the digital certificate to be retrieved (step M404 in Figure 4). The CA then sends the digital certificate to the TELCO (step M405 in Figure 4), and it is only upon receipt of this digital certificate that the delegation of authorization to reassign from the TELCO is activated. As part of the ACME-STAR protocol, the TELCO must regularly renew its digital certificate with the CA, and the exchanges relating to this renewal are not represented in Figure 4.

[0071] As illustrated in Figure 4, the SPECCO issues a request for delegation of authorization to reassign to the TELCO (step M406 in Figure 4). The TELCO then issues a digital certificate generation request to the CA (step M407 in Figure 4). The CA then acknowledges receipt of this request and sends the TELCO information allowing the generated digital certificate to be retrieved (step M408 in Figure 4). The TELCO then sends this recovery information to the SPECCO, along with the smart contract describing the delegated reassign authorization (step M409 in Figure 4). Then the SPECCO sends a request to the CA, including the information allowing the digital certificate to be retrieved (step M410 in Figure 4). The CA then sends the digital certificate to the SPECCO (step M411 in Figure 4), and it is only upon receipt of this digital certificate that the delegation of authorization to reassign from the SPECCO is activated. As part of the ACME-STAR protocol, the SPECCO must regularly renew its digital certificate with the CA, and the exchanges relating to this renewal are not represented.

[0072] As illustrated in Figure 4, the CLIENT sends a request for reallocation of communication resources to the SPECCO (step M412 in Figure 4). The SPECCO reallocates communication resources to the CLIENT, and sends the CLIENT a set of parameters describing the authorized use of communication resources (step M413 in Figure 4). In this example, the SPECCO directly generates a digital certificate for the CLIENT, for example by means of the SubCert digital certificate delegation protocol, which it sends to the CLIENT during step M413.

[0073] For example, the set of parameters (for example provided in the form of a smart contract) describing the authorization to reassign delegated by the TELCO to the SPECCO has the following parameters:

Identifier of the delegating entity: TELCO ID

Identifier of the delegated entity: SPECCO ID

- Validity: from 04/23/2022 to 06/25/2024, GMT+1 time

Communication resources concerned: 100 MHz around frequency F0 Authorized power: 5 W

Authorized location: 10 hectares around the C0 coordinate position Authorized communication protocols: 4G, 5G Depth of authorized sub-delegations: 0

- Possible suspension of reattribution: YES

[0074] For example, the set of parameters (for example provided in the form of a smart contract) describing the authorized use of the communication resources reallocated by the SPECCO to the CLIENT includes the following parameters:

Identifier of the delegated entity: SPECCO ID

Identifier of the beneficiary of the reattribution: CLIENT ID

- Validity: from 04/30/2022 to 05/10/2024, GMT+1 time

Communication resources concerned: 10 MHz around frequency F0 Authorized power: 1 W

Authorized location: 1 hectare around the C0 coordinate position Authorized communication protocols: 4G

- Possible suspension of reattribution: YES

[0075] Thus, the authorization to use reassigned communication resources, given to the CLIENT by the SPECCO, falls within the scope authorized by the delegation of authorization to reassign provided by the TELCO to the SPECCO.

[0076] As indicated above, the reallocation of certain communication resources may in some cases be suspended, for example at the request of the police. In such a case, a pre-emption request can be sent to the TELCO, which in turn sends it to the SPECCO, which in turn sends it to any possible intermediary SPECCO to ultimately reach the CUSTOMER using the communication resources. for which the reattribution must be suspended in whole or in part.

[0077] More generally, it should be noted that the modes of implementation and embodiment considered above have been described by way of non-limiting examples, and that other variants are therefore possible.

[0078] In particular, the reallocation method 10 has been described by mainly considering the reallocation of communication resources corresponding to frequency resources. Nothing excludes however, following other examples of consider other types of communication resources, alternatively or in addition to frequency resources. For example, the communication resources could correspond to virtualized functions which could be reassigned to a CLIENT by the delegated entity, or even security functions, for example implemented in virtualized form, making it possible to provide security levels certified by a security management authority (for example the National Information Systems Security Agency, ANSSI, in France). Such functions, used in a wireless communication system, could therefore also be reallocated as communication resources by a delegating entity having received a delegation of authorization to reallocate issued by a delegating entity. Thus, the delegating entity could allow a telecommunications network operator to be able to dynamically update its network, for example to respond to a threat or a security attack, while having the authorization of the delegating entity and possibly of a regulatory authority for newly deployed functions. This will have the advantage of uniformly deploying in distinct network operator architectures the functions required to overcome a security and/or performance problem under the control of a delegating entity and a regulatory entity.

Claims

Claims [Claim 1] Method (10) for reassigning communication resources allocated to an operator (TELCO) of a first access network of a wireless communication system, said method (10) being implemented by an entity delegated entity (SPECCO) comprising at least one memory and at least one processor, said method (10) comprising: a transmission (S10), by the delegating entity (SPECCO) and to a delegating entity, of a request for delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, a reception (S11), by the delegating entity, of a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources, said delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources comprising a set of parameters describing the authorization to reallocate delegated to the delegating entity by the delegating entity, a reallocation (S12) of communication resources, by the delegating entity, to an operator ( CLIENT) of a second access network according to the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources from said delegated entity (SPECCO). [Claim 2] Reallocation method (10) according to claim 1, in which the delegation of authorization to reassign comprises a smart contract to be executed to obtain the set of parameters describing the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegated entity by the delegating entity and/or to determine, before a reallocation of communication resources, whether the envisaged reallocation complies with the authorization to reallocate delegated by the delegating entity. [Claim 3] Method (10) of reallocation according to claim 1 or 2, comprising, after reallocation, by the delegated entity, of communication resources to the operator of the second access network: a reception (S13), by the delegated entity, information and/or measurements relating to use by the second access network of the reallocated communication resources, an evaluation (S14) of conformity of use of the communication resources by the second network access, by comparison of information and/or measurements with a set of parameters describing the use of communication resources authorized by the delegated entity. [Claim 4] Reallocation method (10) according to claim 3, wherein the delegated entity generates a smart contract to be executed to compare the information and/or measurements with the set of parameters describing the use of communication resources authorized by the delegated entity. [Claim 5] Method (10) of reallocation according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the set of parameters includes information relating to an authorization to grant sub-delegations of authorization to reassign, and in which, if the delegating entity is authorized to grant a sub-delegation of authorization to reassign, the delegating entity (SPECCO #1) issues a delegation of authorization to reassign to another delegating entity (SPECCO #2), at the request of said other delegating entity and depending on the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources granted by the delegating entity. [Claim 6] Reallocation method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the delegating entity is a delegating entity having obtained a delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources provided by another delegating entity. [Claim 7] Reallocation method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the delegating entity is the operator (TELCO) of the first access network and/or in which the delegating entity is authorized to use communication resources that said delegated entity is authorized to reallocate. [Claim 8] Reallocation method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the delegation of authorization to reallocate communication resources comprises a digital certificate certifying that the delegating entity is authorized by the delegating entity to reallocating communication resources, said digital certificate being generated using a digital certificate delegation protocol. [Claim 9] Reallocation method (10) according to claim 8, in which the delegating entity indirectly generates the digital certificate for the delegating entity (SPECCO), by means of an ACME-type digital certificate delegation protocol. STAR. [Claim 10] Reallocation method (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, in which the delegating entity (SPECCO) generates a digital certificate for the operator of the second access network to which said delegating entity reallocates communication resources, certifying that said operator of the second access network is authorized to use the reallocated communication resources. [Claim 11] Reallocation method (10) according to claim 10, in which the delegating entity directly generates the digital certificate for the operator of the second access network to which said delegating entity reallocates communication resources, according to the digital certificate of said delegated entity and by means of a digital certificate delegation protocol of the SubCert type. [Claim 12] Reallocation method (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the set of parameters describing the authorization to reassign delegated to the delegating entity comprises at least one among the following parameters: a date of start of validity of the delegation of authorization to reassign, an end date of validity of the delegation of authorization to reassign, a description of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reassign, a power authorized for use communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, a geographical location authorized for the use of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reallocate, a communication protocol authorized for the use of the communication resources that the delegating entity is authorized to reassign, information relating to an authorization for the delegating entity to grant sub-delegations of authorization to reassign, information relating to an authorization for the delegating entity to suspend in whole or in part a reattribution carried out by the delegated entity. [Claim 13] Computer program product comprising a set of program code instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least one processor to implement a reallocation method (10) according to any of the preceding claims. [Claim 14] A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a set of program code instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to implement a method (10) reallocation according to any one of claims 1 to 12. [Claim 15] Delegated entity (SPECCO) comprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to implement a reallocation method (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.