FI118556B - Procedure and mobile telephone exchange to implement home area pricing for a service provider's subscribers - Google Patents

Description

118556

A method and a mobile switching center for implementing home area pricing to subscribers of a service operator

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to mobile networks and billing for mobile communications. The invention relates in particular to so-called. home area pricing.

Technology background

Home pricing has gained popularity in many Central European countries 10. Home location pricing means, in short, that mobile subscriber calls that are made by a subscriber are relatively inexpensive when the subscriber is at home at the time of the call or, more specifically, in his home area. Similarly, a call is normal if the subscriber makes a call from outside his home area.

15 The location of the subscriber at the start of a call determines whether it is a home area call or not. During the call, the subscriber may leave his home area.

Outbound calls can be completely blocked when needed when the subscriber is outside their home area.

The subscriber's home area may also be defined as the geographical area or other area associated with the subscriber's workplace 20.

Mobile network manufacturers have developed their networks so that mobile operators can offer home pricing to their # · customers, their subscribers. The following describes how home pricing! .. * is implemented using a feature developed by Nokia.

FIG. 1 illustrates the implementation of home area pricing for network subscribers. For the network operator subscriber 101, a home area 102 is defined in the home location register (HLR) 102 of the network operator.

. The Home Area consists of 1-3 parts, called Charging Areas. When the subscriber 101 logs in to the mobile services 30 switching center (MSC) 106, a so-called. location update. Location: * · *: When updating, subscriber 101's mobile station requests a login • · ····. The VLR asking the HLR whether the HLR allows the subscriber 101 to log on to the VLR.

, ·] The subscriber logs into the mobile switching center 106 (or its VLR) when t · * ··· [the subscriber arrives in the geographical area managed by the switching center, or when the subscriber switches on his mobile station in that area. The mobile switching center 106 is briefly referred to in the application as a switch.

The exchange 106 performs the above location update.

Figure 1 shows that the query is executed through a visitor location register (VLR) 107. However, it is possible that the query is directed directly to the home location register 102. In any case, in response to the location update of the exchange 106, the home location register 102 sends the subscriber 101 Charging class and Charging areas to the exchange 10 106. The charging class value is "national" If the subscriber's charging class is "regional" then the subscriber's home area is specified.

When the subscriber 101 makes a call, the call information 103 is routed through the base transceiver station (BTS) 104 and the base station controller (BSC) 105 to the exchange.

Call information 103 received by exchange 106 includes the location of subscriber 101. The exchange 106 compares the location of the subscriber with the charging areas it received by updating the location from the home location register 102. If the subscriber is located in the home area defined by the charging areas, the exchange concludes that the call is a home area. The exchange 106 then generates a call detail 20 record (CDR) 108 which indicates to the billing center 109 that * .. the call of the subscriber 101 should be billed in accordance with home area pricing.

The arrangement of Figure 1 operates in the network of the network operator.

l In addition to network operators, service operators are also providing mobile [.. * services. Service operators are also called virtual operators, because they do not have their own network. However, some network elements are owned and / or managed by service operators.

FIG. 2A illustrates a known embodiment of home area pricing. service operator subscribers. For the service operator subscriber 201, the home area 202 of the service provider's home location register (HLR) is defined * ·] · *. As the subscriber 201 30 logs on to the exchange 106, the exchange 106 performs a location update · * · *: via the VLR 107 from the service operator's home location register 202 and in response to • · »* ··. to update the location, the home location register 202 transmits the subscriber 201's Charging class * and Charging areas via VLR 107 to * 106.

• · 118556 3

When the subscriber 201 makes a call, the call information 203 is routed through the base station 104 and the base station controller 105 to the exchange (MSC) 106. The exchange 106 compares the subscriber's location information included in the call information 203 with the subscriber's charging areas. If the subscriber 201 makes a call from its home area, the exchange 106 establishes a billing record 204. The exchange 106 transmits the billing record 204 through the interface 206 to the billing center 205. The interface 206 generally includes a database 207 where the billing record 204 is temporarily stored.

The arrangement of Fig. 2A works when the exchange 106 and the billing center 205 have a common interface 206. However, this is not always the case, but communication problems occur between the network elements of different operators.

Another problem with the prior art is that the subscriber does not always know whether he can make a low cost home area call or whether his call is billed at normal rate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By means of the invention, home area pricing can also be implemented for subscribers of a service operator even in the absence of a common interface between the network operator's switching center 20 and the service operator's billing center that supports home area pricing.

•: For home area pricing, Nokia has two alternate analytics options: · · ·: (MSC): Charging attribute analysis: ***: Charging attribute analysis or Routing ·· *; 25 attribute analysis. By using charging or routing attribute analysis. · * ·. determines whether the call is a home area call or another type of call.

· · ·

The invention is based in part on routing attribute analysis. Analysis: The MS location type is used as input. MS Location Type ···. * ··. possible values are: "inside home area", "located ./* 30 outside home area" or "not defined".

• * *: Routing attribute analysis returns a so-called. digit analysis * ···: tree. In short, the number analysis tree: a) routes the call and b) directs: ***: Call details to the billing center.

··· · «·· • * 4 118556

In addition to routing attribute analysis, the invention is based on a new way of using a prefix or some other data element. More specifically, the exchange adds at least one information item to the call information, which indicates to the service element network element that the call is a home area call.

5 At times, the exact operation of a radio network is difficult to predict.

In the call setup phase, the subscriber's call may not be processed by the base station closest to the subscriber. In other words, cell selection is difficult to predict.

There are two additional features of the invention intended to inform the subscriber so that the subscriber knows whether his or her call is originating within or outside the home area.

A first additional feature is that at least some cells of the mobile communication network are provided with so-called. cell information. The subscriber will then see on the display of his mobile station cell information containing the subscriber's 15 current location, for example "Area8". If the subscriber's home area is "Area8", his or her call will be billed according to home area pricing.

Another feature relates to announcement during the call setup phase. This feature is available at a Nokia-based center. Because the cell may change even when the call is already 20, a call like "ping pong" has been added to the call setup. The subscriber will only hear the "ping pong" tone from his mobile station when he is in his home area.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following schematic diagrams, of which Figure 1 is a diagram. presents the implementation of home pricing to network operator subscribers, '.V. FIG. 2A illustrates a known implementation of home area pricing for service subscribers, f \: FIG. 2B illustrates home area pricing for subscribers of a service operator in accordance with the invention, FIG. 2C shows a home location implementation implementation in general form, Fig. 3 illustrates a series of procedures performed by a mobile switching center in a call set-up phase, Fig. 4 illustrates a method according to the invention, Fig. 5 illustrates a mobile switching center (MSC) according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described by way of example.

An operator is a 'P' service operator that uses a network of a particular network operator, i.e. operator 'V'. Operator 'P' has implemented the additional service 'L', where calls from the home area cost up to EUR 1 per day to all domestic standard-rate mobile and fixed-line numbers, regardless of the day.

The additional service * L 'can be used on all GSM mobile stations regardless of the character 15 and model. You can subscribe to the additional service free of charge on all carrier 'P' subscriptions.

Suppose that the additional service is available in a specific geographic area divided into eight Charging Areas. The following charging areas are associated with labels: 'AreaT,' Area2 ', ...,' Area8 \ 20 When registering for the additional service 'L', the customer selects the home, area. The customer may select one home area from which calls made i '** will be charged according to home pricing. The customer's home area contains 1-3 • ♦: charging areas.

"**: The customer's current location tag (Aluel, Area2, ...,: **]: 25 Area8) can be seen on the customer's mobile screen. Additionally, the customer can: make sure they hear a beep from their home area · **. ** · ("Ping Pong").

The customer can order a new subscription for the additional service 'L' from the Internet. . ·. when ordering or through the operator's "P" customer service. An order • i »m 30 is made on the basis of a map template marked with the *" ** home area breakdown described above. If a customer places an order over the Internet, the customer clicks on • the desired home area through the user interface of a terminal (e.g. workstation or mobile). ··· Very accurate If a customer places an order through 'P' customer service • · · «· t · 118556 6, it is possible to use a more accurate map, such as a map produced by a company called Enira.

Special rate calls (service numbers), international calls, text messaging, multimedia messaging, data calls, GPRS / 3G usage for at least 5 days are not covered by home pricing.

All calls made to the customer's home area (excluding data calls) are routed from the operator V network to the operator element "P" with the prefix 'XYZ'.

The call control is performed on the basis of the analysis trees created in the operator V exchange (MSC) 10. Only calls made from the operator's "P" IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) space are routed with the "XYZ" prefix to the operator's "P" network element.

Initially, the minutes included in the monthly charges for packet subscriptions will also be accrued from home-based calls, and home-15 pricing will not be transferred until a certain number of minutes is exceeded. When switching to home pricing for a particular customer, calls from that customer's home area are referred to as 'L' calls. The customer invoice 'L calls are specified under its own heading.

FIG. 2B illustrates home area pricing for subscribers to a service operator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, for the service operator subscriber 201, a home area 202 is defined in the service operator's home location register (HLR). : ·, The exchange receives the subscriber 201's Charging class and Charging areas by updating the location as shown in Figure 2A. When | the subscriber 201 makes a call, the call information 203 is routed to the MSC 106 of the network operator Mlt 25 in the same manner as in FIG. 2A.

The exchange 106 then compares the location information included in the call information 203 with the charging areas. As a result of the comparison, the exchange 106 assigns the MS location type MS to the caller 201. More specifically, the exchange appends to the call a value of the MS location type which is one of the following values: "located: 30 in the home area", "located outside the home area" or "not defined".

···. * ··. Center 106 then performs a routing attribute analysis using the MS location type value as input. If the MS location type value is • ♦ ♦: "located in the home area", the routing attribute analysis terminates such that the call and associated Call Data 203 is routed to the Service Operator Center 35 (MSC) 208. However, before this, the call 106 modifies the call information 203.

··· ♦ · 118556 7

The exchange 106 adds a predefined prefix, such as the prefix 'XYZ \', to the telephone number transmitted with the call information 203, which indicates to the service operator exchange (MSC) 208 that the call made by the subscriber 201 is a home area call. The prefix is preferably placed in the number of the recipient of the call 5, but can also be placed in another telephone number included in the call information.

The service operator center 208 is adapted to read the call information 203 transmitted by the network operator center 106 and the telephone number contained therein. When the telephone number includes a predefined prefix 10, the service operator center 208 is configured to create a billing record 209 and send it to the billing center 205.

The billing center 205 may further obtain billing information 210 from database 207. The billing information 210 is at least partially similar to the billing information 211 sent by the network operator center 107 via the database 15 207 to the billing center 109 of the network operator.

FIG. 2C illustrates home area pricing in a generalized embodiment of the present invention. This figure has substantially the same network elements as in Figure 2B, and the subscriber 201's logging in to the mobile switching center 106 and the call set-up steps are performed as in Figure 2B. Instead, the network element 212 differs from the mobile switching center 208. The network element 212 may be a "stripped" mobile switching center so that it does not include the radio interface features of the mobile switching center. The service operator usually does not need the radio interface * "! it does not have its own base stations or base station controllers.

] .. * 25 However, in order to be able to route the call of the subscriber 201, the network element 212 must, however, contain a switching matrix. Therefore, the network element 212 may be called a switching node.

The network operator exchange 106 is adapted to receive the call information 203 and write at least one information item in the call information and: 30 send the edited Call information to the network element 212.

: ***: Network element 212 is adapted to read Call Data 203 and «« detect data element (s) written by exchange 106 to call data · · ·: .. f, and in response to detected data element (s) network element 212 ♦ · * ··· * is configured to write billing record 209 such that upon receipt of: “*: 35 billing record 209, billing center 205 bills subscriber 201’s call *: * ·· in accordance with home location pricing.

118556 8

A prefix appended to a telephone number is one example of a data item, but the data item may be another bit string containing at least one bit.

FIG. 3 illustrates sets of actions performed by a mobile switching center during a call setup phase. Inside the dashed line 301 are indicated the 5 sets of procedures related to the invention and home calls. Step 302 and subsequent steps are for calls that are not home area calls. Action 303 is required when the subscriber is presented with a communication (so-called interim communication) during the call setup phase. Notice is given if the subscriber is located in his home area.

10 As shown in Figure 3, the operations are shown straight inside the handrails. Each rectangle contains text that identifies one or more Man-Machine Language (MML) -related parameters and the value that is assigned to the parameter. Some of the parameters are DX200 specific, ie they are used in a Nokia mobile switching center.

Steps 304 and 305 show how to add the nD39n prefix to a telephone number in a call record. Thus, in this case, the "D39" prefix is an information element indicating to the service operator network element 212 that it is a home area call.

The prefix is preferably associated with a "Called Party" telephone number, but the 20 prefixes may alternatively be associated with another telephone number included in the call record.

: ·, Instead of using a phone number prefix, you can use another · · · j data entry to write information about the call. It is possible to enter the data element in the "Calling Party's Category" field of the "call information" field. This "Calling Party's 25 Category" field contains eight bits which should be ♦ * ··· 'between 11100000 and 1111110. In the integer value range contains 224 -254.

It is clear that modifying the contents of the call information fields is prohibited if the modifications of the content in any way interfere with the communication. : j \ * 30 The content of the "Calling Party's Category" field can in principle be changed without interrupting the communication. The following steps are then performed.

· «·

Initially, network operator exchange 106 examines whether the value of the ".f" Calling Party's Category "field is greater than or equal to 224. If • · * ·; ♦ * is present and if subscriber 201's call is a home area call, a value of 35 is determined. "Between 32 and 224. Assume a" certain number "is 224.

· * «·· • · 118556 9

The changed value is then passed along with the call information 203 in the "Calling Party's Category" field to the network element 212 of the service operator.

The service operator network element 212 examines whether the value of the "Calling Party's Category" field is less than 224. If so, the subscriber's 5,201 call is determined to be a home area call and a billing record 209 indicating the home area call is written.

Finally, the service operator's network element 212 adds a value 224 to the value so that the "Calling Party's Category" field is returned to its original value.

10 The aforementioned actions on the "Calling Party's Category" field require that the control panel 106 and the network element 212 be provided with an MML user interface and / or other means to enable the actions.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for implementing home area pricing for at least one subscriber of a service operator 15 using a mobile network of a network operator. In the center of the mobile network. (MSC) 106 performs the following known method steps: receiving subscriber data sent from subscriber 201's home location register 202 including a charging class and at least one charging area, and receiving call information 203 including a subscriber's location relating to 20 calls made by the subscriber 201.

When the received debit class indicates 401 that the subscriber ': ·. calls are subject to home location pricing, compared to MSC • ··· 1h (402 subscriber location to subscriber home location, determined by subscriber information charging area (s).

],. * 25 When the comparison indicates that 403 subscribers are in their home area, the * * * ··· * method further performs the following steps.

The exchange (MSC) writes at least · »· one data item to call information 203, followed by routing the call made by the subscriber to the network element 212 of the service operator 405. The network element 212 reads 406 30 Call information 203 a call made by the subscriber * ·· will be charged according to home pricing. Finally, the billing record is sent from the 409 network elements to the billing center.

Steps 401-405 are performed at the exchange (MSC) 106.

In step 405, i.e., call routing, the routing attribute analysis described above *: ··· is preferably used.

10 118556

Steps 406-409 are performed on the service operator network element 212.

Thus, step 408 is performed when Call Information 203 includes at least one information item written by the exchange (MSC). If Call History 5 does not include 407 data items, a billing record is determined that determines that the call made by the subscriber will be charged on a basis other than home pricing. The written billing record is then sent from the network element to the billing center.

The network element 212 participates in the routing of the call to the recipient of the call 10.

The network element 212 is thus a network element managed by the service operator. The service operator operates in the network of the network operator, so the next network element to which the call is routed from the network element 212 is usually a network element managed by the network operator.

By means of a switching matrix, the network element 212 can route the call to any network element in principle.

The method described in Figure 4 may be supplemented, if necessary, by the step of displaying cell information on at least one cell of the mobile network on the subscriber's mobile display. The cell information includes the current location of 20 subscribers and is visible in the mobile station when the mobile station is on.

·. In addition, or alternatively, the method may be supplemented with a step of establishing a communication in the subscriber's mobile station when the subscriber is located in its home area through a call center (MSC).

• · * ··; ' FIG. 5 illustrates a mobile network switching center (MSC) for implementing home area pricing to at least one subscriber of a service operator, when the service operator utilizes the mobile network of the network operator.

The exchange (MSC) 106 includes the following means: 30 - subscriber media 501 from subscriber 201's home location register 202: ***: for receiving transmitted subscriber information, the subscriber information indicating a charging class and at least one charging area, \ .f - call media 502 in subscriber 201's mobile network. ; call to receive call-related call information 203, the call information indicating the subscriber's location, and * · 118556 11 - comparison means 503 for comparing the subscriber's location to the subscriber's home area defined by the fraud area / charging areas.

The exchange 106 is adapted to use the comparison means 503 when the debit class obtained from the subscriber data indicates that a subscriber has a defined 5 home area.

In addition, switching center 106 includes writing means 504 and routing means 505. When comparison means 503 indicate that the subscriber is in its home area, the mobile network switching center is adapted to write at least one information element to call information 203 and

The operation of the routing means 505 is preferably based on the routing attribute analysis.

The exchange 106 is preferably adapted to provide communication in the subscriber 15's mobile station during the call set-up phase when the subscriber is in its home area.

Referring to Figures 2B and 3, it is noted that the telephone number prefix is one example of an information item to be written by means of writing means 504.

FIG. 6 shows a network element for home area pricing. Network element 212 implements home area pricing for at least one subscriber of the service operator, the service operator utilizing the network operator ': *. mobile network. The network element 212 is adapted to receive a call made by a subscriber 201 through a mobile network switching center (MSC) 106 and to route the call.

] "* 25 First, the network element 212 includes reading means 601 for reading call-related call information 203, and for detecting the data item (s) written by the exchange (MSC): ···:

• · ·

Second, the network element includes writing means 602 for writing a billing record 209 such that the call is charged according to home location pricing: a: [: 30, when the data item (s) are detected in the call information 203.

Third, the network element includes transmission means 603 for sending a billing record 209 to the billing center.

• ·

In the absence of the data item (s), the call element network network 212 is configured to write a billing record 35 that determines that the call will be charged on a pricing basis other than the home area - *: ··· and send the billing record to the billing center.

12 1 1 8556

For routing the call of the subscriber 201 and the associated call information 203, it is advantageous that the network element 212 includes a switching matrix. However, the actual switching matrix is not required if the subscriber's call is in any case redirected back to the network operator switching center (MSC) 106 from which the call was routed to the network element 212.

In addition to the foregoing descriptions and examples, the method, center (MSC) and network element of the invention may be implemented in various ways which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, due to their skill and guidance in this application.

The invention is defined in the appended claims.

• »* * · · * * * * * * * * * *« « · «♦ ·· • · • ♦ ··· ♦ · · · ·« m 4 • · ··· • '· * · ··· v 1 • 4 4 4 • 44 4 4 4

Claims (10)

13 118556 A method for implementing home area pricing for at least one subscriber of a service operator using a network operator's mobile network, the method comprising the steps of performing at a MSC 5: and when the received debit class indicates that the subscriber calls are subject to home area pricing, comparing the subscriber's location to the subscriber's home area, which is determined by the subscriber information charging area (s). characterized in that, when the comparison indicates that the subscriber is in his home area, the method further comprises the steps of writing at least one information item in the call information center and routing the subscriber's call to the service element's network element and reading said information item; the call will be charged in accordance with the home - rate plan, and:. sending a billing record to the billing center. • · · A method according to claim 1, characterized in that routing attribute analysis is used in the routing attribute analysis of the mobile network switching center (MSC). The method of claim 1, characterized by: ·· *: in the absence of the data item (s) in the call element, a billing record is written in the network element specifying that the call is charged according to a pricing basis other than home area pricing, and : 1: Sending said billing record to the billing center. ml The method of claim 1, characterized in that at least one cell of the mobile network **: * 'displays cell information on the subscriber's mobile station display, which contains the current location of the subscriber. * · U 118556 5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the call set-up step, a communication is displayed through the exchange (MSC) in the subscriber's mobile station when the subscriber is in his home area. A mobile network switching center (MSC) for implementing home area pricing to at least one subscriber of a service operator, the switching center (MSC) including subscriber data means for receiving subscriber data transmitted from a subscriber's home location register; comparison means for comparing the location of the subscriber to the home area of the subscriber defined by the charging area / 15 charging areas, characterized in that when the comparison means indicate the subscriber is in its home area, the MSC is adapted to write at least one data item to the call data and to route the call to the subscriber; to an operator-managed network element. • ·· •. The switchboard according to claim 6, characterized in that the data element is a prefix of a telephone number. A switching center according to claim 6, characterized in that, when the subscriber is in his home area, the exchange is adapted to provide a communication in the subscriber's mobile station during the call set-up. · «« 9. A network element for implementing home area pricing to at least one subscriber of a service operator, the network element being adapted to receive and route a call made by a subscriber over a mobile network in a subscriber unit, characterized in that the network element includes « ) to detect data element (s) written by the call data: ** j 35,,. · · 118556 15 writing means for writing a billing record such that a call is charged according to home location pricing when a data item (s) are detected in the call information and transmission means for sending a billing record to a billing center. A network element according to claim 9, characterized in that the network element comprises a switching matrix. '· «• 1 • ·· t • ·« 1 »• ·« «« · · 1 · • 1 «· 1 *« 9 1 • 1 · · 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · * · • ® • · ♦ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 · 118556 16