WO2003047164A2 - Maitrise des services dans des reseaux mobiles de donnees par paquets - Google Patents

Maitrise des services dans des reseaux mobiles de donnees par paquets Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003047164A2
WO2003047164A2 PCT/IE2002/000161 IE0200161W WO03047164A2 WO 2003047164 A2 WO2003047164 A2 WO 2003047164A2 IE 0200161 W IE0200161 W IE 0200161W WO 03047164 A2 WO03047164 A2 WO 03047164A2
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Prior art keywords
charging
packet
packet node
platform
subscriber
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PCT/IE2002/000161
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English (en)
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WO2003047164A3 (fr
Inventor
Brendan Mcgee
Julian Parsons
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Markport Limited
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Priority to AU2002365330A priority Critical patent/AU2002365330A1/en
Publication of WO2003047164A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003047164A2/fr
Publication of WO2003047164A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003047164A3/fr

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/24—Accounting or billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/43—Billing software details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/57—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
    • H04M15/73—Validating charges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
    • H04M15/775—Account specifications on parallel communications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8016—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects based on quality of service [QoS]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/81—Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/82—Criteria or parameters used for performing billing operations
    • H04M15/8228—Session based
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
    • H04M17/10—Account details or usage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0112—Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/20—Technology dependant metering
    • H04M2215/2026—Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/20—Technology dependant metering
    • H04M2215/2033—WLAN
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/20—Technology dependant metering
    • H04M2215/208—IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/22—Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/32—Involving wireless systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/70—Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/70—Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
    • H04M2215/7072—Validate charges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/72—Account specifications
    • H04M2215/7277—Account specifications on parallel communications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/74—Rating aspects, e.g. rating parameters or tariff determination apects
    • H04M2215/7414—QoS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/78—Metric aspects
    • H04M2215/7833—Session based

Definitions

  • the invention relates to provision of services in mobile packet data networks.
  • Packet data capabilities provide higher bandwidth services as available bandwidth is shared between multiple subscribers in a similar way as occurs in fixed networks, for example IP-based networks underlying the Internet. Packet data capabilities will also be available to mobile subscribers by arranging interoperability between emerging Wireless LAN technologies (802.11, HiperLAN) and mobile network infrastructure.
  • This invention applies to any packet data networks requiring both prepaid and post-paid access, for example CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WLAN and even fixed LAN access.
  • pre-paid access is provided primarily for voice and SMS services using specialised pre-paid platforms that become part of the mobile operator's network infrastructure.
  • pre-paid access is provided primarily for voice and SMS services using specialised pre-paid platforms that become part of the mobile operator's network infrastructure.
  • mobile operators add packet data capabilities to their networks there is a need to support pre-paid access to data services delivered over the packet data system.
  • a mobile operator should be able to apply distinct charging models for distinct services such as: web browsing, ringtone or game download (which may attract a premium charge), send an MMS, receive an MMS (which may be free), etc.
  • the operator may wish to apply different tariffs for such operations at different times, for example based on time of day, day of week, etc. in order to influence traffic patterns.
  • the invention is directed towards allowing mobile operators to offer pre-paid or post- paid access to packet data services for mobile subscribers in a more versatile manner. It is further directed towards providing a high degree of flexibility for the mobile operator in a) determining whether the current user operation is chargeable or not and, b) selecting the appropriate charging mechanism to apply to the current user operation. It addresses these requirements for a range of packet network technologies, including those used for GSM, CDMA and Wireless LAN.
  • a method of controlling data services usage in a mobile data network comprising the steps of:
  • a network service node routing a subscriber packet data session to a packet node
  • the packet node inspecting the packet data and determining a current context of the data session
  • the packet node determining a charging mechanism according to the current context
  • the packet node monitoring service usage according to the charging mechanism and notifying a charging platform for charging the subscriber.
  • the packet node determines a charging mechanism according to the current context and subscriber information determined from inspecting the packet data session.
  • the packet node selects one of a plurality of pre-stored charging mechanisms.
  • the packet node dynamically receives monitoring usage parameters from the charging platform during the session.
  • the packet node invokes an operation on the charging platform when a usage parameter threshold is exceeded.
  • the method comprises the further step of the charging platform transmitting an instruction to the packet node instructing a change of the current context, and the packet node changing the context accordingly, and dynamically changing the charging mechanism in response to the context change.
  • a network service node selects the packet node for routing the packet data session according to a subscriber record.
  • the subscriber record includes an address of the packet node in an access name field.
  • the charging mechanism causes the packet node to initially request authorisation from the charging platform for full activation of a context.
  • a single authorisation relates to a plurality of usage thresholds.
  • the packet node switches from one tariff to another for usage monitoring and dynamically updates usage thresholds accordingly.
  • the packet node switches tariffs in response to an instruction from the charging platform.
  • the packet node splits a charging increment into portions separated by a tariff switch event.
  • the packet node holds previous contexts and subsequently reestablishes at least one previous context.
  • the charging platform is a prepaid platform
  • the packet node notifies the prepaid platform of usage sufficient to decrement a subscriber's account.
  • the charging platform is a post-paid billing platform and the packet node notifies the billing platform of usage sufficient to calculate a charge against the subscriber's billing account.
  • the network is a GPRS network
  • the packet node emulates an SGSN or a GGSN.
  • the packet node dynamically chooses one of a plurality of charging platforms according to the selected charging mechanism.
  • an MMSC includes a charging indicator in a URL for sending or receiving a multi-media message, and the packet node uses this indicator to determine a charging mechanism.
  • the invention provides a packet node comprising means for performing packet node operations of a method as defined above.
  • the invention provides a charging platform comprising means for performing charging platform operations of a method as defined above.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating interaction between a wireless data network (GPRS), a pre-paid packet node and a number of external platforms, including a pre-paid platform, a post-paid billing platform and a subscriber repository; and
  • GPRS wireless data network
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating prepaid or post-paid services charging control.
  • a pre-paid mobile subscriber 1 uses a GSM access network 2 to attach to a GPRS packet data network 3 via an SGSN 4.
  • a GPRS packet data network 3 There may be several SGSN's in the network.
  • the SGSN's in the network are equipped with signalling interfaces to allow them to request subscriber data from the Home Location Register (HLR) 5 for the network.
  • HLR Home Location Register
  • PN packet node
  • the PN is responsible for providing a gateway for control of services to prepaid and post-paid mobile subscribers to packet-based network services, the external Internet or other PDN's 7, i.e.
  • All packet data flowing between the mobile subscriber and internal services or the Internet/PDN can be directed to flow via the PN.
  • a set of charging mechanisms, 8, are hosted on the PN or alternatively on an external platform that may be connected to the PN.
  • a number of external platforms including a pre-paid platform 9, a post-paid billing server 10, and a subscriber repository 11 are connected to the PN. These platforms manage a pre-paid subscriber's credit, a post-paid subscriber's charges, and are used to determine authorisation for pre-paid and post-paid subscribers to various network services such as voice calls, packet data services, MMS and SMS.
  • the PN implements a context detection and packet data metering capability. These capabilities may lead to invocation of queries or events towards an external platform such as a pre-paid platform. The format of these queries or events is adapted according to existing standards in the network where the PN is deployed.
  • the invention also introduces a set of operations to be implemented at the external platform that, in conjunction with the PN features, allows flexible pre-paid access functionality to be implemented. An implementation of the invention in the context of a GSM mobile network is described below.
  • the packet data technology adopted for GSM mobile networks is known as GPRS (General Packet Radio Services).
  • GPRS General Packet Radio Services
  • This technology is implemented by two nodes in the GSM network - a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN).
  • the standardised prepaid GPRS service uses triggers set at the SGSN (based on CAMEL Phase 3 according to GPRS standards).
  • This invention introduces the PN, which in this embodiment, appears to the network as a standard GGSN.
  • the network service nodes are configured to route pre-paid data streams to the PN, where the PN determines the current context, selects the appropriate charging mechanism and the corresponding pre-paid operations are invoked on the pre-paid platform.
  • the PN meters the subscriber's usage of data packets within the current context based on the response from the pre-paid platform, and invokes further operations on the pre-paid platform when a subscriber's current usage threshold is reached.
  • the invention delivers a number of advantages to the mobile operator.
  • the PN can use the current context to determine the charging mechanism to be applied to the current user operation, e.g. the operation may be free, it may attract a premium charge, or it may be subject to data volume or time-based charging. Furthermore, the PN is able to use the context and charging information to invoke the appropriate operations on the associated pre-paid platform. In this way, the PN can be configured to support a wide range of charging mechanisms that may apply to different data services and different classes of subscribers. This flexibility allows the mobile operator to introduce differentiated tariff and charging schemes, according to the characteristics of the service being offered to the subscriber. The operator may use this flexibility to match service pricing to the perceived value of the service to the subscriber, or even as a means to control demand for a service, e.g. the operator may stimulate demand for a new service by initially offering free access, or create premium services targeted at specific market segments.
  • Another important feature of the PN is its ability to support tariff change events from the external pre-paid or post-paid platform.
  • the PN dynamically updates all contexts currently active in the PN so that the charging mechanisms applied to those contexts reflect the most recent tariffs applicable since the tariff change event.
  • the invention offers more flexible tariff and charging mechanisms than would be possible using the prior art pre-paid solution based on CAMEL triggers in the SGSN.
  • it allows the operator to avoid expensive upgrades to SGSN nodes in the network as well as potentially expensive upgrades to the pre-paid platform to support the standard CAP/SS7 interface.
  • Context detection at the PN provides greater control over pre-paid charging mechanisms than the standard CAMEL approach of arming triggers.
  • the PN also provides a central gateway, simplifying management of the pre-paid packet service. The operator benefits from reduced capital and operational costs and enhanced performance at the SGSNs as they no longer have to process IN transactions.
  • the PN provides a method for implementing differentiated charging in such domains for both pre-paid and post-paid users.
  • the invention therefore provides a common, simplified architecture for provision of differentiated charging for pre-paid and post-paid packet-data services in a wide range of mobile packet data network technologies, including GPRS, CDMA and various Wireless LAN technologies.
  • This invention can also provide prepaid packet data services for fixed packet data networks such as corporate LANs/WANs and virtual private networks (VPNs).
  • VPNs virtual private networks
  • the PN includes a context detection mechanism that can be activated upon certain events regarding the packet data stream flowing through the node. Furthermore, there is a set of charging mechanisms, which may reside internally in the PN or externally on a separate platform, and which the PN may invoke according to the current context. There is also a set of operations contained in either a pre-paid or post-paid platform, external to the PN, and which can be activated by the charging mechanism selected by the PN for the current context. These operations allow the pre-paid or post-paid platform to authorise and control access by a subscriber to packet-data services. Also, the PN has metering and control capabilities that allow it to apply authorisation and control operations communicated by an external platform, for example usage threshold limits, or a tariff change event.
  • a GPRS subscriber has GPRS subscription data stored in the HLR.
  • the subscription data contains zero or more PDP context subscription records.
  • Each PDP context subscription record contains an Access Point Name field (APN).
  • the APN is a label defined according to the DNS naming convention that describes the access point to the external packet data network.
  • the APN is the address of the GGSN that connects to the external packet data network.
  • the APN is defined as the address of a PN for all PDP context subscriptions.
  • one or more PN's may be deployed in the network and subscriber activation's may be statically or dynamically distributed across these PN's.
  • the HLR When a GPRS device attaches to the SGSN, or when other location management functions take place then the HLR performs an Insert Subscriber Data procedure.
  • the Insert Subscriber Data procedure downloads the GPRS subscription data to the SGSN for the relevant PDP contexts.
  • the PN is configured to appear to the GPRS network as a standard GGSN.
  • PDP Packet Data Protocol
  • the PDP Context activation request is received and standard network procedures can be invoked by the PN to authenticate the subscriber.
  • the PDP Context activation request is also detected by the context detection mechanism in the PN (which may use both the request and subscriber information in determining the context), causing it to invoke a charging mechanism associated with that context and issue an event to the pre-paid or post-paid platform, requesting authorisation for activation of the PDP Context for the pre-paid subscriber.
  • the pre-paid or post-paid platform When the event is received by the pre-paid or post-paid platform, it performs a check on the subscriber, for example, credit balance for a pre-paid subscriber, or current usage threshold for a post-paid subscriber. If the subscriber's service is authorised, the PDP Context activation can be authorised. To provide real-time control of the subscriber's access to packet-data service, the pre-paid platform allocates a pre-configured service increment (a data volume allocation, or a session duration allocation) for the new data session. If it is a pre-paid subscriber, it performs a rating function and reserves the corresponding amount of credit from the subscriber's account. A successful authorisation response returns an indication of the authorised service increment to the PN.
  • a pre-configured service increment a data volume allocation, or a session duration allocation
  • the service increment indication when the service increment indication is received it immediately enables the metering and control functions that will monitor the subscriber's usage of the packet data service. These metering and control functions are activated and deactivated directly by the charging mechanisms invoked according to the current context identified by the PN.
  • the charging mechanism associated with this context may send the corresponding event and usage information to the pre-paid or post-paid platform, if appropriate.
  • the platform confirms the debit of the reserved amount from the subscriber's credit balance (pre-paid subscriber) or may issue a charging record against the subscriber's account (post-paid subscriber). The platform then performs a new authorisation calculation and calculates new usage thresholds which can be returned to the PN.
  • a rating function is performed on the usage information and the corresponding total is confirmed as a debit from the subscriber's credit balance (pre-paid) or a charging records is issued (post-paid), - in both cases the unused portion of the reserved credit amount is effectively returned to the subscriber's account.
  • a subscriber's PDP Context may start during one tariff period, and continue into a subsequent tariff period (where usage of packet data services may be charged at a higher or lower rate than at the time when the PDP Context was activated).
  • a tariff change request may be generated in the pre-paid or post-paid platform. This request is sent to the PN whenever a new tariff period is entered and allows the service increments for PDP Contexts currently active to be updated in accordance with the tariffs in force in the new tariff period.
  • a GPRS subscriber establishes a PDP context and connects to a mobile web portal, which may be provided by the network operator or may be an independent portal freely accessible via the internet. The user browses from the mobile web portal to a variety of sites and performs a number of web searches.
  • the PN examines the data stream and is able to identify a browsing context based on the protocol being used (HTTP), the operations invoked by the user (GET, POST), and the URL's accessed.
  • HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol
  • the PN may use information from the subscriber's profile to determine issues such as class of service, pre- paid or post-paid subscription, etc.
  • the PN selects and invokes a charging mechanism appropriate for the current context from a set of previously configured and installed charging mechanisms. For example, a charging mechanism appropriate for pre-paid subscribers in a browsing context requests authorisation for the session from the pre-paid platform, receives some usage thresholds from the pre-paid platform (e.g. a maximum data volume before re- authorisation is required). This information is returned to the PN which monitors the usage thresholds while the browsing context remains active.
  • a charging mechanism appropriate for pre-paid subscribers in a browsing context requests authorisation for the session from the pre-paid platform, receives some usage thresholds from the pre-paid platform (e.g
  • Premium Content Context During a browsing session the GPRS user accesses a known premium content site for example, providing ringtones or graphic images to subscribers.
  • the PN detects a change of context when it recognises that a HTTP operation is invoked on a URL that represents a known premium content site. With the change in context, the PN selects a new charging mechanism appropriate to the new context.
  • a new charging mechanism appropriate for pre-paid subscribers accessing a premium content site requests authorisation for access to the premium content site from an external platform (e.g. by checking service authorisations in a subscriber profile stored in a central subscriber database).
  • a GPRS user selects a particular content item for download, such as a ringtone or a graphic image.
  • the PN detects a change of context by recognising that a HTTP operation is being invoked on a URL representing a content file.
  • Alternative indicators of a file download scenario include recognising the initiation of a FTP file transfer.
  • the content URL may also contain a token representing the premium charge associated with the content.
  • the PN selects the charging mechanism appropriate to this context.
  • An authorisation request for the subscriber to incur the premium charge associated with the content is sent to the pre-paid platform.
  • the pre-paid platform may return usage thresholds to the PN (e.g. max. value of premium content downloads from this site, max. size of files allowed, etc.).
  • the new usage thresholds are returned to the PN which applies these thresholds while the content download context is active. Note that the previous usage thresholds for the browsing context may be disabled while the download context is active, or may remain enabled according to the pricing models specified by the network operator.
  • the PN continues to monitor the data stream during the download operation. If the PN detects that the download operation has completed successfully, the PN invokes the charging mechanism which then confirms a charge to the pre-paid platform (pre-paid subscriber) or generates a charging event (post-paid subscriber). If the PN detects that the download operation failed to complete, no charge is allocated by the PN to the subscriber.
  • MMS Send Context An MMS context is defined to enable a network operator to introduce different charging models for MMS service and enable the network operator to specify whether packet data charges should apply or not to MMS operations .
  • Possible charging models include: sender pays fixed fee for sending with no charge to receiver; sender pays volume related fee for sending and no charge to receiver; sender pays volume related fee for sending and receiver pays volume related fee for receiving; etc.
  • a GPRS user invokes an MMS send operation from a GPRS connected MMS handset.
  • the PN detects the MMS send context from the HTTP operation (POST) and the URL (known URL for MMS service).
  • the MMSC is configured to embed a token in the URL representing a charge indicator for the send MMS operation, for example this may be used to indicate whether packet data charges should apply or not to the MMS send operation.
  • the PN selects a charging mechanism appropriate to the MMS send context.
  • the charging mechanism may send a charge authorisation request to the pre-paid platform (for pre-paid subscribers) and determines usage thresholds that apply to the MMS send operation.
  • the usage threshold information is returned to the PN, which may use this, for example, to suspend data volume counters while the MMS send context is active.
  • a GPRS handset receives a notification that an MMS message has been received.
  • the handset invokes an MMS receive to retrieve the MMS from the MMSC over the GPRS network.
  • the PN detects the MMS receive context from the HTTP operation (GET) and the URL (known URL for MMS service).
  • the MMSC is configured to embed a token in the URL representing a charge indicator for the receive MMS operation. For example, this may be used to indicate whether packet data charges should apply or not to the MMS receive operation.
  • the PN selects a charging mechanism appropriate to the MMS receive context.
  • the charging mechanism may send a charge authorisation request to the pre-paid platform (for pre-paid subscribers) and determines usage thresholds that apply to the MMS receive operation.
  • the usage threshold information is returned to the PN, which may use this, for example, to suspend data volume counters while the MMS receive context is active.
  • the previous context may remain in the PN but be marked as inactive. This allows the PN to rapidly re-establish a previous context and apply remaining usage thresholds for that context without requiring the appropriate charging mechanism to generate a new authorisation request.
  • the maximum number of inactive contexts that may be maintained by the PN for each individual subscriber can be configured in the PN. If this threshold is exceeded, the PN is configured to discard the oldest inactive context, generating a charge confirmation report to the appropriate external platform, before adding a new context to the inactive list.
  • PN For the PN a packet data session, is divided into intervals representing the periods between successive authorisation requests (and their associated usage thresholds).
  • a service increment (a certain amount of data or time) is determined for the subscriber's session. Once this threshold is reached, a new service authorisation request is invoked from the PN and, if successful, another service increment is allocated to the session. For example, for a prepaid subscriber a new authorisation request is sent to the pre-paid platform, which grants the authorisation based on the subscriber's current credit balance and returns usage thresholds that apply to the user's session. As illustrated in Fig.
  • each charging interval begins with a service authorisation request from a charging mechanism and ends with a charge confirmation report by the charging mechanism and a new authorisation request when the allocated service increment is exhausted.
  • a charging interval may be terminated by the PN before the allocated service increment has been used if the context is terminated for any reason, for example the user terminates the current session.
  • the tariff charged by the operator for data services may vary according to the time of day or day of the week. Special tariffs may be introduced over holiday periods or as a result of marketing initiatives. Such changes in tariff affect the current set of contexts stored in the PN at the time that the tariff switch takes place.
  • a feature of this PN is its ability to manage such tariff switch events and to invoke a dynamic update of usage thresholds in the current set of contexts to reflect the new tariff regime in a controlled manner.
  • the PN When the PN receives a tariff switch event it immediately stores current usage levels for all stored contexts and restarts metering of subscriber usage with appropriately reduced service increment thresholds. In this case the charging interval splits into two portions separated by the tariff switch event. The PN now generates charge confirmation reports for all stored sessions using a congestion control process to ensure that the events are spread out over an interval to ensure that no congestion condition occurs at the external platforms.
  • the PN retains an internal table of all stored contexts and current usage levels as registered when the tariff change event was received.
  • the PN calculates a delay threshold based on the number of stored contexts in the table, and a maximum allowed period for completing processing of the tariff change event (this is a configurable parameter that can be set by the network operator).
  • the PN begins processing the contexts stored in the internal table as follows: • Starting with the first context in the table, the PN generates a charge confirmation report consisting of the usage level registered when the tariff change event was received, and the current usage level as metered since the tariff change event.
  • the external platform responds to the charging event in the normal way, returning a new usage threshold based on the new tariff rates in force since the tariff change event.
  • the PN reports back the service usage (of time or data) used before the tariff switch event and the service usage after it. These two values are referred to as first portion usage and second portion usage (in the case where there is no tariff switch, the entire usage is termed the first portion and the second portion is set to zero).
  • first portion usage and second portion usage in the case where there is no tariff switch, the entire usage is termed the first portion and the second portion is set to zero.
  • the mechanisms as described here can be applied to provide subscribers with pre-paid or post-paid access to packet data services.
  • the external platform used for post paid subscribers is configured to automatically authorise a post-paid subscriber and return a pre-configured service increment to the PN.
  • the PN operates in a similar manner for a pre-paid subscriber, activating triggers and generating charging events to the pre-paid platform.
  • the external platform used for post-paid subscribers receives a charge confirmation report for a post-paid subscriber it generates a call detail record (CDR) for the subscriber's usage rather than debiting credit from a subscriber's account.
  • CDR call detail record
  • the contexts are represented within the PN in an internal format tailored to their efficient processing within the PN.
  • a configuration layer is also defined within the PN that is responsible for establishing a suitable communication protocol to the external system in accordance with the standards that may apply for a particular network technology. For example, in the case of a GPRS network as described above, these operations could be formatted into a representation conformant with the CAMEL Phase 3 specification, and transported using the standard CAMEL Application Part (CAP) protocol. In another network configuration, the external operations could be formatted into a RADIUS message and transported over a standard IP network. With this capability, the PN is easily adapted to different network technologies and to communicate with pre-paid and post-paid systems that use standard network interfaces.
  • CAP CAMEL Application Part
  • the PN is deployed in the network as a highly available and scaleable node.
  • the PN is deployed as a multi-node cluster, in which individual nodes may operate either in a load- sharing mode, or in a standby mode as required by the network operator.
  • load-sharing mode each node in the cluster operates as a live system. If one node should fail, live traffic is routed via the remaining nodes in the PN cluster, i.e. a node failure results in some loss of capacity but no loss of service.
  • This cluster arrangement provides a highly scaleable PN.
  • standby mode one of the nodes in the cluster is configured as a standby node. If one node should fail, the traffic for the failed node is re-routed automatically to the standby node, which replaces the failed node in the cluster, i.e. a node failure results in no loss of capacity.
  • the PN is deployed as a dual node cluster, operating in either load-sharing or standby mode.
  • the invention provides for considerably simpler implementation of prepaid services in GPRS and other packet technologies for mobile networks. Furthermore, the invention provides a high level of flexibility to support service differentiation in networks. Some examples of the application of service differentiation to enhance the quality of service offered to subscribers are:
  • the subscriber can avail of premium content services that reflect advertised charges for access to the content, i.e. no incremental charges for transport of the content are incurred.
  • the subscriber can send and receive MMS messages based on the advertised charge for sending (or receiving) MMS published by an operator. There are no incremental charges for transport of the MMS content either during the send or receive operations.
  • the PN can interface with entities other than the SGSNs, such as CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, and wireless LAN entities and negates the need for triggering mechanisms in these entities.
  • entities other than the SGSNs such as CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, and wireless LAN entities and negates the need for triggering mechanisms in these entities.
  • the network operator can focus all service control functionality in a limited number (often only one pair, for redundancy) of PNs and external platforms.
  • the PN platform can, be used for a multitude of service contexts without having to develop multiple interfaces to multiple network entities. Accounting for a single subscriber using multiple access methods is simplified. For example, a subscriber may use their GPRS enabled device with prepaid billing from their GSM prepaid account. They may then switch to a wireless LAN access method but still be billed to their GSM account.
  • the prepaid system only interacts with the PN to provide this prepaid functionality rather than interfacing with multiple SGSNs or wireless LAN access point controllers

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Meter Arrangements (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

Un noeud de paquets (PN, 6) de communications prépayées émule un réseau stations sol-sol (GGSN) dans un réseau GPRS (3). Il reçoit des données de session de données par paquets des réseaux stations sol charge utile (SGSN) (4) et effectue l'interface centralisé avec des plates-formes de communications prépayées (9, 10, 11). Il détermine à partir des données de session un contexte pour choisir un mécanisme d'imputation des frais. Ce mécanisme d'imputation des frais gouverne la manière avec laquelle le noeud (6) de paquets surveille l'usage des services en communication avec la plate-forme d'imputation des frais. Il surveille l'usage de données de service en fonction des contextes reçus de la plate-forme (8).
PCT/IE2002/000161 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Maitrise des services dans des reseaux mobiles de donnees par paquets WO2003047164A2 (fr)

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AU2002365330A AU2002365330A1 (en) 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Control of services in mobile packet data networks

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US33349101P 2001-11-28 2001-11-28
US60/333,491 2001-11-28

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EP1492321A1 (fr) * 2003-06-24 2004-12-29 Openwave Systems Inc. Système et procédé pour étendre des services de facturation aux applications du réseaux de l'opérateur
WO2005053224A1 (fr) * 2003-11-26 2005-06-09 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Taxation differentielle dans des reseaux de paquets de donnees
EP1580927A1 (fr) * 2002-12-07 2005-09-28 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Systeme et procede de facturation de reseau local sans fil sur base de debit de donnees utilisateur
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EP1622304A1 (fr) † 2004-05-12 2006-02-01 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Procede pour la selection d'une regle de facturation pour un abonne
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WO2008055700A1 (fr) * 2006-11-10 2008-05-15 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) Procédé et appareil pour une commande d'utilisation de services dans un système de communications
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US8396075B2 (en) 2002-12-02 2013-03-12 Redknee Inc. Method for implementing an open charging (OC) middleware platform and gateway system
EP1580927A4 (fr) * 2002-12-07 2006-08-23 Huawei Tech Co Ltd Systeme et procede de facturation de reseau local sans fil sur base de debit de donnees utilisateur
EP1580927A1 (fr) * 2002-12-07 2005-09-28 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Systeme et procede de facturation de reseau local sans fil sur base de debit de donnees utilisateur
US8244859B2 (en) 2003-01-23 2012-08-14 Redknee, Inc. Method for implementing an internet protocol (IP) charging and rating middleware platform and gateway system
US7644158B2 (en) 2003-01-23 2010-01-05 Redknee Inc. Method for implementing an internet protocol (IP) charging and rating middleware platform and gateway system
US7457865B2 (en) 2003-01-23 2008-11-25 Redknee Inc. Method for implementing an internet protocol (IP) charging and rating middleware platform and gateway system
US8027334B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2011-09-27 Redknee, Inc. Method and system for multimedia messaging service (MMS) rating and billing
US8542676B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2013-09-24 Redknee Inc. Method and system for multimedia messaging service (MMS) rating and billing
EP1492320A2 (fr) * 2003-06-16 2004-12-29 Redknee (Ireland) Ltd. Procédé et système pour déterminer et facturer des services multimedia (MMS)
US7440441B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2008-10-21 Redknee Inc. Method and system for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) rating and billing
EP1492320A3 (fr) * 2003-06-16 2005-01-05 Redknee (Ireland) Ltd. Procédé et système pour déterminer et facturer des services multimedia (MMS)
US8331902B2 (en) 2003-06-19 2012-12-11 Redknee Inc. Method for implementing a wireless local area network (WLAN) gateway system
US7873347B2 (en) 2003-06-19 2011-01-18 Redknee Inc. Method for implementing a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) gateway system
EP1492321A1 (fr) * 2003-06-24 2004-12-29 Openwave Systems Inc. Système et procédé pour étendre des services de facturation aux applications du réseaux de l'opérateur
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WO2005053224A1 (fr) * 2003-11-26 2005-06-09 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Taxation differentielle dans des reseaux de paquets de donnees
WO2005101734A1 (fr) * 2004-04-16 2005-10-27 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Procede de facturation de services de donnees par paquets et de controle d'acces de flux de donnees de services
EP1622304A1 (fr) † 2004-05-12 2006-02-01 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Procede pour la selection d'une regle de facturation pour un abonne
EP1622304B2 (fr) † 2004-05-12 2013-02-27 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Procede pour la selection d'une regle de facturation pour un abonne
US8238873B2 (en) 2004-08-10 2012-08-07 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Method and system for charging control
WO2006015542A1 (fr) * 2004-08-10 2006-02-16 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Procede de reduction de la charge d'un tpf
US7957719B2 (en) 2004-08-10 2011-06-07 Huawei Technologies, Co. Ltd. Method for reducing load of traffic plane function
CN100397820C (zh) * 2004-12-22 2008-06-25 华为技术有限公司 一种在通信系统中进行计费的方法
US8775621B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2014-07-08 Redknee Inc. Policy services
WO2008055700A1 (fr) * 2006-11-10 2008-05-15 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) Procédé et appareil pour une commande d'utilisation de services dans un système de communications
US9059871B2 (en) 2007-12-27 2015-06-16 Redknee Inc. Policy-based communication system and method
CN102291704A (zh) * 2011-07-28 2011-12-21 华为软件技术有限公司 计费方法、计费设备、交换设备和计费系统
CN102291704B (zh) * 2011-07-28 2014-12-03 华为软件技术有限公司 计费方法、计费设备、交换设备和计费系统

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