WO2017032398A1

WO2017032398A1 - Acceleration facility control in a network

Info

Publication number: WO2017032398A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/069269
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerald Goermer; Cesar Augusto ZEVALLOS
Original assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority date: 2015-08-21
Filing date: 2015-08-21
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

It is provided a method comprising monitoring if a first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group; checking if a service belongs to the rating group, wherein a charging action is to be performed for the service; performing the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile if the service belongs to the rating group.

Description

Title Acceleration facility control in a network

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product related to online and offline charging. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product related to both charging methods of IP based communication.

Abbreviations

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

5G 5^th generation

ARP Alternative Roaming Provider

CAMEL Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic

CAP CAMEL Application Part

CC Charging Characteristics

CCP Charging Characteristics Profile

CCT Charging Characteristics Table

CDR Call Data Records

CGF Charging Gateway Function

DCCA Diameter Credit Control Application

DSP Domestic Service Provider

EPC Evolved Packet Core

EU European Union

GPRS General Packet Radio Service

GSM Global System for Mobile Communication

GSMA GSM Association

GTP GPRS Tunneling Protocol

HLR Home Location Register

H-OCS Home OCS HPLMN Home PLMN

HSS Home Subscriber Server

IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity

IN Intelligent Network

IP Internet Protocol

IP CAN IP Connectivity Access Network

LBO Local BreakOut

LTE Long Term Evolution

MCC Mobile Country Code

MME Mobility Management Entity

MNC Mobile Network Code

OCS Online Charging System

PCC Policy and Charging Control

PCEF Policy and Charging Enforcement Function PCRF Policy and Charging Rules Function

PDN Packet Data Network

PGW, P-GW PDN Gateway

PLMN Public Land Mobile Network

PS Packet Switched

QoS Quality of Service

Rel Release

RG Rating Group

SA System Architecture

SGSN Serving GPRS Service Node

TDF Traffic Detection Function

TR Technical Report

TS Technical Specification

VoIP Voice over IP

V-OCS Visited OCS

V-PGW Visited PGW

VoLTE Voice over LTE

VPLMN Visitor PLMN

Background of the invention Charging in EPC is described in 3GPP TS 32.240, 32.251 , 23.203, and 23.401.

3GPP standardised the EU regulation requirements of roaming unbundling for EU roaming regulation III. One of the alternative solutions for roaming unbundling, called "Single IMSI", is implemented through interworking between the Alternative Roaming Provider (ARP) and the Domestic Service Provider (DSP). Single International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) reuses the existing wholesale agreements of Home operators, capitalizing on the roaming agreements between the HPLMN and the VPLMN operator. However, this solution is limited to voice call service with nearly fixed charging conditions.

During the standardisation of further IP based communication services and in particular VoLTE, GSMA requires solution on Inter-PLMN online charging using Diameter protocol as an alternative for CAMEL, which is currently in discussion in the 3GPP Study work item (iPLMN-PS-OCH) in 3GPP TR 32.843.

The European Union Commission resolved some restriction on roaming by opening the market with the option to select an individual Alternative Roaming Service Provider (ARP). Thus, inter alia, a better cost control for roaming subscribers is achieved. Roaming subscribers can select the ARP which will provide online based service. The voice call service will be charged using the connection to the corresponding online charging system in the VPLMN (hereinafter also named V-OCS).

As the consequence of this activity from the regulators, operators requested the option on service provision with online charging for own roaming subscribers using the own OCS located in the HPLMN (hereinafter also named H-OCS). This service option requires a Diameter interface between the Diameter clients in the VPLMN with the Diameter server in the HPLMN.

In Rel-12, the 3GPP standardisation provided a solution for voice call service. A solution on Online Charging for IP based services other than voice call is currently under study. Such a service will be based on a IP CAN bearer connection in the VPLMN controlled by the H-OCS. More specifically, the control will be based on a Diameter Credit-Control application between the PGW in the VPLMN and the OCS in the HPLMN. More generally, 3GPP is standardizing a new type of roaming scenario: "Roaming with Local Breakout". In case of local breakout, roaming traffic does not traverse back to the home network but is handled by the local operator. Thus, it may allow for cheaper tariffs and may also bring increased localized revenue. One of the 2 proposed architectures (studied within 3GPP Technical Report 32.843) allows to create a DCCA session towards an inter PLMN PS Online Charging Server (OCS which belongs to a different PLMN than the PGW, e.g. to the HPLMN).

In such scenario, the IP CAN bearer is created at the V-PGW, and the credit control is done by the H-OCS (PGW and OCS belong to different operators).

One problem is, how the mobile subscriber could be treated under the same charging condition for the Diameter Credit-Control application regardless of whether or not he is roaming.

It is a known 3GPP functionality, to select a Charging Characteristics Profile (CCP) for the IP CAN bearer. A CCP indicates if the subscriber is online charged, offline charged, or both. It also indicates the OCS addresses, CGF addresses, etc. All those are defined in 3GPP TS 32.251 Annex A.

Table 1 is taken from 3GPP TS 32.251 Annex A (Table A.1.3). It indicates the current definition of CCT:

Table 1 : Example of conventional CCT for P-GW

As shown in Table 1 , the CCT may comprise plural CCPs (all CCPs applicable for the subscribers). Each CCP is a row in the CCT. The CCP defines the charging behavior of the associated IP CAN bearer. The CCT includes all the CCPs that are used for all the bearers in the PGW. The CCT is locally configured in the PGW (or PCEF), also known as charging client. The CCT is not sent from one network element (e.g. a certain PGW) to another network element. Through the behaviour index bits ("indicators"), each CCP (each row in the table) is linked to an IP CAN bearer. Conventionally, there is only one CCP for each IP CAN bearer. A service running on an IP CAN bearer is related to a behaviour index bit through the IP CAN bearer and its relation to the behaviour index bit. The behaviour index bits are 2 octet numbers, and they are also named CC. For the purpose of this application, "charging characteristics (CC)" and "behaviour index bits" may be considered as synonyms. It is the index in the CCT. Each subscriber may be assigned 1 CC. Thus, the CC is subscriber specific. CC is saved in the HSS and it may be sent to all NEs in the network.

Currently, charging conditions are defined in CCPs per IP CAN bearer and configured in the 3PPP network in a CCT. The subscriber specific CC will be used per IP CAN session/bearer if the mobile subscriber is served in the own operator's network (HPLMN). Visited operators may use locally configured CCT in the VPLMN, refer e.g. to the standardised CCT in 3GPP TS 32.251 in Annex A. 3GPP TS 32.251 contains also proposals for the charging condition details.

The CCPs of a CCT allow the operator to apply different kinds of charging methods for one or both of offline charging and online charging. A subscriber may have a CC assigned to his subscription. The CC can be supplied by the HLR/HSS according to the rules specified in Annex A of 3GPP TS 32.251 . E.g., upon IP-CAN bearer activation, the Gn/Gp SGSN (resp. MME) forwards the CC to the P-GW (resp. to S-GW and then to the P-GW). The operator sends a CC to the PGW to make the PGW selecting the CCP from the CCT based on the CC.

The current design of the CC is based on individual and service specific criteria for the Quality of Service (QoS), e.g. time and volume limits, which are differently configured in each operator's network. A unification of CC for roaming is practically impossible because of the re-configuration and/or enhancement for all service specific QoS types of all possible roamers in the HSS as well as in local configurations in visited networks. Another problem is the specific routing of a charging event to the "correct" OCS for a roaming subscriber. The "correct" OCS could be either the ARP's OCS or the HPLMN OCS, and this assignment might change during the lifetime of the subscription.

As a further aspect, USA and European Union (among others) have strict laws to prevent bill shock scenarios. A typical example in an EPC network is the case of a broadband mobile user who cannot quantify his own data consumption. Because roaming costs are far higher than local costs, when the user is roaming the operator serving the visiting subscriber shall quantify the traffic used, and block traffic when the roaming consumption reaches certain legal amount. This functionality is called "Bill Shock Prevention".

Service data flows may belong to rating groups (RG) if the traffic is chargeable. The RG identifies a traffic type, e.g. internet traffic, Skype traffic, VoLTE traffic, etc. Service data flows not belonging to a RG may be traffic which is free of charge. IP CAN bearers can service several service data flows according to the activated PCC Rules, the only condition is that the bearer has the Quality of Service required by the flows. Such flows can belong to rating groups if the traffic is chargeable. Otherwise it may be traffic which is free of charge. Through the IP CAN bearer, a CC is associated to one or more services, and a service is associated to a CC.

During the study on Inter-PLMN Online Charging, different key issues were identified to show the current restrictions with possible solutions, as reflected in 3GPP TR 32.843.

Existing charging rules are only valid inside the operator's own PLMN and inter-operator exchange of charging conditions for the same service does not exist. Therefore, each VPLMN operator uses his own CCT for a user roaming into his network. Roaming charges for online charged customer are calculated based on received charging information from VPLMN but could lead to disappointment of customers and potential reduction of service usage in case of roaming (bill shock). Conventionally, the exchange of charging rules for the requested service between PLMNs is only possible by using PCC technology via PCRF, but in this case, there might be a potential clash with local configuration and therefore, such an exchange is not really in operation. The standardised solution for Online Charging via ARP is limited to voice call services and a solution to charge IP services with LBO does not exist.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if a first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group; checking means adapted to check if a service belongs to the rating group, wherein a charging action is to be performed for the service; charge performing means adapted to perform the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile if the service belongs to the rating group.

The first charging characteristics profile may comprise a first address of a first online charging system, and the charge performing means may be adapted to report charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group.

The monitoring means may be adapted to monitor if the first charging characteristics profile and a second charging characteristics profile different from the first charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to the service, wherein the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group; the second charging characteristics profile may comprise a second address of a second online charging system, and the charge performing means may be adapted to report charge events of the service to the second online charging system if the service does not belong to the rating group. The apparatus may further comprise retrieving means adapted to retrieve a charging rule from a predefined association of the rating group and the charging rule; wherein the charge performing means may be adapted to charge the service based on the charging rule if the service belongs to the rating group.

The charge performing means may be adapted to charge the service based on a default charging rule if the service does not belong to the rating group.

The apparatus may further comprise initiating means adapted to initiate a charging dialogue to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group, wherein the charging dialogue comprises the indication of the rating group.

The first charging characteristics profile may comprise a third address of an online charging system; and the apparatus may further comprise determining means adapted to determine if a user invoking the service is roaming; wherein the charge performing means may be adapted to report charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is roaming, and to report charge events of the service to the third online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is not roaming.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising providing means adapted to provide a first charging characteristics profile to a packet gateway, wherein the first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group.

The providing means may be adapted to provide a second charging characteristics profile to the packet gateway, wherein the second charging characteristics profile is different from the first charging characteristics profile, the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to a service, the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if an initiation of a charging dialogue comprises an indication of a rating group and an indication of a service to be charged, wherein the initiation is received from a packet gateway; checking means adapted to check, if the initiation comprises the indication of the rating group and the indication of the service group, if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service correspond to a stored association of one or more rating groups to one or more services; correcting means adapted to provide an order of correction to the packet gateway if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service do not correspond to the stored association. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor if a first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group; checking circuitry configured to check if a service belongs to the rating group, wherein a charging action is to be performed for the service; charge performing circuitry configured to perform the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile if the service belongs to the rating group.

The first charging characteristics profile may comprise a first address of a first online charging system, and the charge performing circuitry may be configured to report charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group.

The monitoring circuitry may be configured to monitor if the first charging characteristics profile and a second charging characteristics profile different from the first charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to the service, wherein the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group; the second charging characteristics profile may comprise a second address of a second online charging system, and the charge performing circuitry may be configured to report charge events of the service to the second online charging system if the service does not belong to the rating group.

The apparatus may further comprise retrieving circuitry configured to retrieve a charging rule from a predefined association of the rating group and the charging rule; wherein the charge performing circuitry may be configured to charge the service based on the charging rule if the service belongs to the rating group.

The charge performing circuitry may be configured to charge the service based on a default charging rule if the service does not belong to the rating group.

The apparatus may further comprise initiating circuitry configured to initiate a charging dialogue to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group, wherein the charging dialogue comprises the indication of the rating group.

The first charging characteristics profile may comprise a third address of an online charging system; and the apparatus may further comprise determining circuitry configured to determine if a user invoking the service is roaming; wherein the charge performing circuitry may be configured to report charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is roaming, and to report charge events of the service to the third online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is not roaming.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising providing circuitry configured to provide a first charging characteristics profile to a packet gateway, wherein the first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group.

The providing circuitry may be configured to provide a second charging characteristics profile to the packet gateway, wherein the second charging characteristics profile is different from the first charging characteristics profile, the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to a service, the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor if an initiation of a charging dialogue comprises an indication of a rating group and an indication of a service to be charged, wherein the initiation is received from a packet gateway; checking circuitry configured to check, if the initiation comprises the indication of the rating group and the indication of the service group, if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service correspond to a stored association of one or more rating groups to one or more services; correcting circuitry configured to provide an order of correction to the packet gateway if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service do not correspond to the stored association.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising monitoring if a first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group; checking if a service belongs to the rating group, wherein a charging action is to be performed for the service; performing the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile if the service belongs to the rating group.

The first charging characteristics profile may comprise a first address of a first online charging system, and the performing of the charging action may comprise reporting charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group.

The monitoring may comprise monitoring if the first charging characteristics profile and a second charging characteristics profile different from the first charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to the service, wherein the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group; the second charging characteristics profile comprises a second address of a second online charging system, and the performing of the charging action may comprise reporting charge events of the service to the second online charging system if the service does not belong to the rating group.

The method may further comprise retrieving a charging rule from a predefined association of the rating group and the charging rule; wherein the performing of the charging action may comprise charging the service based on the charging rule if the service belongs to the rating group.

The performing of the charging action may comprise charging the service based on a default charging rule if the service does not belong to the rating group. The method may further comprise initiating a charging dialogue to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group, wherein the charging dialogue comprises the indication of the rating group.

The first charging characteristics profile may comprise a third address of an online charging system; and the method may further comprise determining if a user invoking the service is roaming; wherein the performing of the charging action may comprise reporting charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is roaming, and reporting charge events of the service to the third online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is not roaming.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising providing a first charging characteristics profile to a packet gateway, wherein the first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group.

The providing may comprise providing a second charging characteristics profile to the packet gateway, wherein the second charging characteristics profile is different from the first charging characteristics profile, the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to a service, the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group. According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising monitoring if an initiation of a charging dialogue comprises an indication of a rating group and an indication of a service to be charged, wherein the initiation is received from a packet gateway; checking, if the initiation comprises the indication of the rating group and the indication of the service group, if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service correspond to a stored association of one or more rating groups to one or more services; providing an order of correction to the packet gateway if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service do not correspond to the stored association. Each of the methods of the seventh to ninth aspects may be a method of charging control. According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any of the seventh to ninth aspects. The computer program product may be embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into a computer.

According to some example embodiments of the invention, at least one of the following technical effects is provided:

the inter-PLMN online charging problem is solved;

- online charging with ARP may be supported;

bill shock may be prevented;

no need to create additional IP CAN bearers;

signaling to OCS may be reduced;

CDR generation may be controlled more precisely;

- audit CDRs may be generated;

the solution is backwards compatible;

the solution is scalable.

It is to be understood that any of the above modifications can be applied singly or in combination to the respective aspects to which they refer, unless they are explicitly stated as excluding alternatives.

Brief description of the drawings Further details, features, objects, and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments of the present invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a method according to an example embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a method according to an example embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a method according to an example embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 7 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of certain example embodiments

Herein below, certain example embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features of the example embodiments can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. However, it is to be expressly understood that the description of certain embodiments is given for by way of example only, and that it is by no way intended to be understood as limiting the invention to the disclosed details.

Moreover, it is to be understood that the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method are described. Some embodiments of the invention belong to new configuration options for online and offline charging for all IP based communications including Voice over IP (VoIP) as well as Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in case of roaming, replacing CAMEL/IN technology.

The result of all the conventional concepts explained above, is that for the Inter PLMN online charging scenarios (i.e. the roaming case), the IP CAN bearer will use the H-OCS address (by a direct connection or through an OCS proxy), and every Rating Group will be reported to the H-OCS. Therefore it is not possible to have only certain rating groups reported to H-OCS, while other rating groups being charged directly by the V-PGW. The end result is that in case of Inter PLMN online charging, chargeable flows which should use the same bearer (same QoS requirements) than used by the Inter PLMN flows, will be rejected ("denied service") and a different bearer will need to be used to handle only those rating groups which are served by the V-PGW. This is inefficient and costly due to the extra need of resources.

As a workaround, a Diameter proxy may be used to forward to H-OCS only the rating groups that are known by the H-OCS, and disable the online charging control for all other rating groups, so that those will be only offline charged or free of charge. This workaround, however, makes it impossible to implement Bill Shock Prevention, which is a legal requirement in many countries, because this functionality requires the V-PGW to provide credit control to all Rating Groups being charged by the V-PGW. This problem is not yet identified. For example, below is an extract of SA5#100 (April 2015): S5-152219:

"2) Use of default bearer.

In case S9 is not used, the service and media description received over cannot be used by the H/V-PCRF to have Dynamic Policy and Charging Control of traffic plane resources in VPLMN. Use of the default bearer through appropriate static PCC Rules is still possible for services not requiring any dedicated quota nor dedicated QCI. "

Therefore, at April 2015, it has been identified that other PCC rules (active in the same bearer which reports traffic to H-OCS) can only be served at the V-PGW as long as those don't require DCCA control.

This can be achieved by having those flows to be free-of-charge, or in case those flows belong to chargeable rating groups, by configuring the OCS to reply to those flows with Result-Code: "DIAMETER_CREDIT_CONTROL_NOT_APPLICABLE (401 1 )". This forces the PGW to provide service to the rating group, however such traffic is never reported to OCS again (only offline charging applies if configured in the CCP for the IP CAN bearer).

In the same way, it is possible to use a Diameter proxy (between V-PGW and H-OCS) to reply with "DIAMETER_CREDIT_CONTROL_NOT_APPLICABLE (401 1 )" for rating groups which shall be offline charged by the V-PGW, but not be reported towards the H-OCS.

Above mechanism brings the problems and limitations explained above. According to some embodiments of the invention, CCP is enhanced by adding the rating group, such that the selecting of the CCP is additionally based on the rating group.

In some embodiments, the rating group works as an optional parameter.

If RG is not configured in the CCP, the CCP will be used regardless of the rating group (current state-of-the-art behaviour) as a default CCP for the IP CAN bearer.

If a rating group is configured in the CCP, then it may be used instead of the default CCP.

Table 2 shows a table (CCT) corresponding to that of Table 1 , which is adapted according to some embodiments of the invention: Offline charging (PGW-CDR) Online charging

Behaviour Rating Default Primary and Active Time Vol Change Tariff Primary and Active Index Group charging Secondary Limit Limit Cond. times Secondary Bits method CGF ocs

0-15 addresses addresses

0 Online 100.128.35.20 Yes 30 100K 2 0-7, 100.128.35.30 Yes

100.128.35.21 min 7-12 100.128.35.31

0 100..99999 Online 100.128.10.20 Yes 30 50K 2 0-7, 100.128.10.30 No

100.128.10.21 min 7-12 100.128.10.31

1 Offline 100.128.35.21 No - - - - - No

100.128.35.20

2 Online 100.128.35.21 Yes 10 50K 1 0-24 100.128.35.31 Yes

/Offline 100.128.35.20 min 100.128.35.30

Table 2: Example of CCT for P-GW according to some embodiments of the invention Compared to the conventional Table 1 , Table 2 comprises a column indicating a rating group. Furthermore, there are two rows with a same behaviour index bit (here: behaviour index bit 0). One of these rows does not comprise a rating group but the other does. There may be more than one rows with a same behaviour index bit (CC) comprising rating groups. Preferably, each rating group should belong to only one of the rows with the same behaviour index bit.

Based on Tables 1 and 2, the charging mechanism may be explained, as an example, for services belonging to Rating group 1 and Rating group 100, respectively, which are both based on a same IP CAN bearer associated to Behaviour Index Bits = 0.

According to the state-of-the-art (Table 1 ), IP CAN bearer uses the first CCP. Charging events of both services (rating groups) are reported to OCS with address 100.128.35.30.

According to some embodiments of the invention (Table 2), IP CAN bearer uses the first 2 CCPs. Rating group 1 is not comprised in the rating groups indicated in the second row, therefore it matches to the Default CCP (first CCP in the second figure) and rating group 1 is reported to OCS 100.128.35.30 (first CCP). On the other hand, rating group 100 belongs to the rating groups indicated in the second row. Thus, corresponding charging events are reported to OCS with address 100.128.10.30 (in both cases, assuming that the respective primary OCS is available, otherwise, the indicated secondary OCS may be used).

Some embodiments of the invention solve not only the Inter PLMN online charging problems, but they may also increase substantially the functionality of EPC charging. Below there are explained some use cases which may be achieved with embodiments of the invention which are not possible with current state-of-the-art CCP:

Enhanced functionality for InterPLMN online charging. IP CAN bearer is created at the V-PGW. Services of rating group 102 (see Table 2) report to H-OCS and services of rating group 2 report to V-OCS. The structure of Table 2 allows for credit control of local service data flows which are unknown to the H-OCS. Thus, the same IP CAN bearer may be used for both of these services, which was not possible according to the prior art. The structure of Table 2 also allows the V-OCS to implement Bill Shock Prevention in the V-PGW in the case of Inter-PLMN online charging.

- Reduced PCS signalling. IP CAN bearer is created at the H-PGW (not Inter PLMN case). By having the default CCP to be online charged and another CCP to be only offline charged, it allows few rating groups to be reported to OCS, while other rating groups are only for offline charging and not reported to OCS, thus reducing considerably the signalling required by having every rating group reporting to OCS and then OCS replying with "DIAMETER_CREDIT_CONTROL_NOT_APPLICABLE (401 1 )".

In that way, only 1 DCCA session would be needed, which would serve only the rating groups which are charged by OCS. All other rating groups would only be used in offline charging.

- CDR triggers per rating group. OCS has conventionally been able to trigger rating group reports at different intervals by given different quotas per rating group. CDRs have conventionally been limited to use the same volume and time limits for every rating group in the IP CAN bearer. By having different CCP using offline charging, different CDR volume limits and time limits can be configured per rating group level. - Generation of Audit CDRs. Flows which are usually free of charge (no rating group configured), can be configured with a certain rating group range, so that those are only recorded in CDRs but those are never reported to OCS (as those free of charge flows are not known to OCS). Currently it is not possible to record CDRs of free-of- charge flows due to the heavy impact that it would have to OCS signalling. According to embodiments of this invention, the impact to OCS signalling for creating Audit CDRs is zero.

Backward compatibility. By not defining the Rating Groups in the CCP, the behavior would be identical as state-of-the-art definition of CCP.

Future scalability. By enhancing the flexibility of charging profiles, it increases the possible future use cases which can be configured in CCP. Some embodiments of the invention provide a configuration option to use RG in case of online charging and/or the use of the default IP address for the Diameter Proxy in the VPLMN for roaming subscribers, if the subscriber's actual account of the own operator in the HPLMN (i.e., in H-OCS) is not valid for the VPLMN operator.

Table 3 shows another modification of the table of 3GPP TS 32.251 Annex A (Table hereinabove) according to some embodiments of the invention.

Table 3: Example of CCT for P-GW according to some embodiments of the invention

In this case, the table comprises a column for RG, and it comprises only one row per behaviour index bit (CC). However, the modifications of Tables 2 and 3 may be combined such that a modified Table 3 comprises plural rows of the same behaviour index bit but with different rating groups.

In some embodiments, each RG identifier is unique for the representation of a particular parameter set. I.e., the RGs are standardised (at least between the involved operators of HPLMN and VPLMN) by a kind of catalogue which contains all the possible service specific QoS parameter and relates them to a respective RG which is related to respective charging rules. With the addition of the RG, based on the standardized catalogue, the CCP provides the exactly defined Charging Rules per unique RG identifier for each HPLMN operator and ARP. Every operator of the standardization agreement will understand the content based on the global mapping and can online charge the service under the same conditions. Based on the standardised procedures during the IP CAN session/bearer establishment at the PGW, the used CC (which either received from the HSS or received from the local configuration), has the corresponding RG for the requested service. With this configuration, the charging dialog between the PGW in the VPLMN and the OCS in the HPLMN may be initiated and the PGW will get the confirmation from the OCS on the valid RG for the requested service served in this IP CAN session/bearer. In case of any inconsistencies, the HPLMN OCS may react on an incorrect RG configuration with the corresponding order indication. The rejection may follow the procedures described in IETF RFC 3488 by using of the Result-Code: "DIAMETER_RATING_FAILED (5031 )" when returning a response message from the OCS. This is used for charging of service data flows in case the RG is not recognized, as specified in 3GPP TS 32.299.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the address of the secondary OCS is interpreted differently. Conventionally, charging events are reported to the secondary OCS if the primary OCS is not available. However, according to some embodiments of the invention, the address at the place of the secondary OCS in a conventional CCP is interpreted differently to allow identification of the correct OCS in a roaming case.

The VPLMN operator will send the charging request for his own subscribers to the corresponding OCS address as configured in the CCP as primary OCS address. In case of a roaming user or for a different owner of the subscribers account (e.g. ARP) the online charging event will be routed to the Diameter proxy. The Diameter proxy will distinguish if the charging event is to be rerouted to the OCS of the ARP or the OCS of the Home operator. For example, the Diameter proxy may analyse the subscriber's IMSI and in particular check MCC and MNC and compare them with the PLMN identifier of the VPLMN. Thus, the Diameter proxy may recognize whether or not the user is roaming. If the user is roaming and "no" is set in the activation criteria, the charging event will be reported to the OCS of the HPLMN. If "yes" is set in the activation criteria, charging event will be reported to the OCS of the ARP. The address of the OCS of the ARP is indicated in place of the secondary OCS address. In some embodiments of the invention, the meaning of "yes" and "no" in the activation criteria may be opposite to that described hereinabove.

The Diameter proxy may be integrated in the PGW such that the charging event is routed to the appropriate address without rerouting.

The extension of the CCP with the RG and the modification of the interpretation of the (secondary) OCS address are not disturbing the treatment based on the existing configuration (i.e., it is backwards compatible). Operators can introduce this enhancement during operation without any interruption because the individual service specific configuration is mapped into the official RG definition. Operators may compare the current configuration against the RG catalogue and check the compliance.

In summary, some embodiments of this invention support the resolution of restrictions in the following areas:

Simple and efficient solution for Inter PLMN online charging

Backward compatible solution, independent to the current recording in offline charging for the proof in the billing process and increased end-user acceptance for global treatment of the same service request

Inter-operator Accounting

Double check for correct configuration and used RG between the PLMNs and easier calculation between operators Compliance with EU regulations

In addition of voice call service could all other IP communication also supervised by ARP which will be compliant to the existing regulations.

Embodiments of the invention are not restricted to the PCC charging model based on IP CAN bearer but may include any IP CAN session including a TDF session. Fig. 1 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a gateway such as a packet gateway (e.g. a PGW), or an element thereof. Fig. 2 shows a method according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 1 may perform the method of Fig. 2 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 2 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 1 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises monitoring means 10, checking means 20, and charge performing means 30. The monitoring means 10, checking means 20, and charge performing means 30 may be a monitoring circuitry, checking circuitry, and charge performing circuitry, respectively.

The monitoring means 10 monitors if a charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group (S10). The CCP is dedicated to a specific subscriber. Furthermore, the CCP may comprise an indicator (e.g. behavior index bits) such that a certain service may be associated to the CCP. E.g., the association may be directly (service - > charging characteristics profile) or indirectly e.g. via an IP CAN bearer serving the service (service -> IP CAN bearer -> charging characteristics profile).

The checking means 20 checks if a service, for which a charging action (e.g. online charging) is to be performed, belongs to the rating group (S20). In addition, the checking means 20 may check if the service is associated to the charging characteristics profile. For example, the checking means 20 may check only in case the charging characteristics profile comprises the indication of the rating group (S10 = "yes").

The sequence of S10 and S20 may be interchanged, or S10 and S20 may be performed in parallel. If the charging characteristics profile comprises the indication of the rating group (S10 = "yes") and if the service belongs to the rating group (S20 = "yes"), the charge performing means 30 performs the charging action of the service according to the charging characteristics profile (S30). As a further condition, if the charging characteristics profile comprises the indicator, the charge performing means 30 may perform the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile only if the service is associated to the first charging characteristics profile.

Performing a charging action may mean e.g. identifying the OCS, with which the online charging dialogue in case of online charging is to be performed; whether online and/or offline charging is to be performed; whether audit CDRs are to be recorded for services which are free of charge, etc.

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a configuration system, in particular for configuring a PGW, such as an operation and maintenance system, or an element thereof. Fig. 4 shows a method according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 3 may perform the method of Fig. 4 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 4 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 3 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises providing means 100. The providing means 100 may be a providing circuitry.

The providing means 100 provides a charging characteristics profile to a packet gateway, wherein the charging characteristics behavior comprises an indication of a rating group (S100).

Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a charging system such as a OCS, or an element thereof. Fig. 6 shows a method according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 5 may perform the method of Fig. 6 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 6 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 5 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus. The apparatus comprises monitoring means 210, checking means 220, and correcting means 230. The monitoring means 210, checking means 220, and correcting means 230 may be a monitoring circuitry, checking circuitry, and correcting circuitry, respectively. The monitoring means 210 monitors if an initiation of a charging dialogue comprises an indication of a rating group and an indication of a service to be charged, wherein the initiation is received from a packet gateway (S210). If the initiation comprises the indication of the rating group and the indication of the service group (S210 = "yes"), the checking means 220 checks, if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service correspond to a stored association of one or more rating groups to one or more services (S220). In other words, the checking means checks if the received indications match the stored association.

If the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service do not correspond to the stored association (i.e., if they do not match, S220 = "no"), the correcting means 230 provides an order of correction to the packet gateway (S230). Fig. 7 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 610, at least one memory 620 including computer program code, and the at least one processor 610, with the at least one memory 620 and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform at least one of the methods according to Figs. 2, 4 and 6 and related description.

The arrangement of the column indicating the rating group in the CCT is arbitrary. Also, the sequence of rows in the CCT is arbitrary. Tables 2 and 3 show non-limiting examples thereof. The CCT may comprise one or more rows with one or more different indicators (behavior index bits). If the CCT comprises more than one row with only one indicator, the CCP is to be distinguished only according to the rating groups.

The invention is described based on the Diameter protocol. However, in some embodiments of the invention, another protocol providing similar functionality for the exchange of charging information, such as a RADIUS, CAP, GTP protocols or an enhancement thereof may be used.

In some embodiments of the invention, the CC may be different from a two octets number. E.g. it may be a one octet number, or it may comprise an arbitrary number of bits. A CCP according to some embodiments of the invention may comprise more parameters than those shown in the Tables 1 to 3 above or described in 3GPP TS 32.251 . Also, it might not comprise one or more of the parameters shown in the Tables 1 to 3 above or described in 3GPP TS 32.251. E.g., a CCP may not comprise parameters for offline charging such as one or two CGF addresses, an active flag, a time limit, a volume limit, a change condition, tariff times etc. It may not comprise a secondary OCS address or other parameters for online charging corresponding to those mentioned for offline charging. Different CCPs of a CCT may comprise different parameters.

One piece of information may be transmitted in one or plural messages from one entity to another entity. Each of these messages may comprise further (different) pieces of information. Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and/or protocols and/or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality.

If not otherwise stated or otherwise made clear from the context, the statement that two entities are different means that they perform different functions. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on a different hardware, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same hardware. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on different software, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same software.

Some example embodiments of the invention may be applied to a 3GPP network (e.g. LTE, LTE-A, or a 5G network), as described hereinabove. However, some example embodiments of the invention may be applied to any kind of network wherein online charging of service for roaming subscribers is supported.

A terminal may be any kind of terminal which may attach to the respective network. E.g., a terminal may be a UE, a device of a machine-type communication, a laptop, a smartphone, a mobile phone etc. According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example a gateway such as a packet gateway (e.g. P-GW), or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s). According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example a configuration system such as an operation and maintenance system, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s). According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example an online charging system such as a OCS, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program(s) and forming computer program product(s).

Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, means, entities, units, devices, or methods include, as non-limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, a virtual machine, or some combination thereof. It should be noted that the description of the embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus, comprising

monitoring means adapted to monitor if a first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group;

checking means adapted to check if a service belongs to the rating group, wherein a charging action is to be performed for the service;

charge performing means adapted to perform the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile if the service belongs to the rating group.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first charging characteristics profile comprises a first address of a first online charging system, and

the charge performing means is adapted to report charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the monitoring means is adapted to monitor if the first charging characteristics profile and a second charging characteristics profile different from the first charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to the service, wherein the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group;

the second charging characteristics profile comprises a second address of a second online charging system, and

the charge performing means is adapted to report charge events of the service to the second online charging system if the service does not belong to the rating group.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising

retrieving means adapted to retrieve a charging rule from a predefined association of the rating group and the charging rule; wherein

the charge performing means is adapted to charge the service based on the charging rule if the service belongs to the rating group.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the charge performing means is adapted to charge the service based on a default charging rule if the service does not belong to the rating group.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising

initiating means adapted to initiate a charging dialogue to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group, wherein the charging dialogue comprises the indication of the rating group.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein

the first charging characteristics profile comprises a third address of an online charging system; and the apparatus further comprises

determining means adapted to determine if a user invoking the service is roaming; wherein

the charge performing means is adapted to report charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is roaming, and to report charge events of the service to the third online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is not roaming.

8. Apparatus, comprising

providing means adapted to provide a first charging characteristics profile to a packet gateway, wherein the first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the providing means is adapted to provide a second charging characteristics profile to the packet gateway, wherein the second charging characteristics profile is different from the first charging characteristics profile, the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to a service, the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group.

10. Apparatus, comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if an initiation of a charging dialogue comprises an indication of a rating group and an indication of a service to be charged, wherein the initiation is received from a packet gateway;

checking means adapted to check, if the initiation comprises the indication of the rating group and the indication of the service group, if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service correspond to a stored association of one or more rating groups to one or more services;

correcting means adapted to provide an order of correction to the packet gateway if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service do not correspond to the stored association.

1 1. Method, comprising

monitoring if a first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group;

checking if a service belongs to the rating group, wherein a charging action is to be performed for the service;

performing the charging action of the service according to the first charging characteristics profile if the service belongs to the rating group.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein

the performing of the charging action comprises reporting charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein

the monitoring comprises monitoring if the first charging characteristics profile and a second charging characteristics profile different from the first charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to the service, wherein the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group;

the second charging characteristics profile comprises a second address of a second online charging system, and the performing of the charging action comprises reporting charge events of the service to the second online charging system if the service does not belong to the rating group.

14. The method according to any of claims 1 1 to 13, further comprising

retrieving a charging rule from a predefined association of the rating group and the charging rule; wherein

the performing of the charging action comprises charging the service based on the charging rule if the service belongs to the rating group.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein

the performing of the charging action comprises charging the service based on a default charging rule if the service does not belong to the rating group.

16. The method according to any of claims 1 1 to 15, further comprising

initiating a charging dialogue to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group, wherein the charging dialogue comprises the indication of the rating group.

17. The method according to any of claims 1 1 to 16, wherein

the first charging characteristics profile comprises a third address of an online charging system; and the method further comprises

determining if a user invoking the service is roaming; wherein

the performing of the charging action comprises reporting charge events of the service to the first online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is roaming, and reporting charge events of the service to the third online charging system if the service belongs to the rating group and the user is not roaming.

18. Method, comprising

providing a first charging characteristics profile to a packet gateway, wherein the first charging characteristics profile comprises an indication of a rating group.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein

the providing comprises providing a second charging characteristics profile to the packet gateway, wherein the second charging characteristics profile is different from the first charging characteristics profile, the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile comprise a same indicator indicating that the first charging characteristics profile and the second charging characteristics profile are applicable to a service, the indicator is different from the indication of the rating group, and the second charging characteristics profile does not comprise the indication of the rating group.

20. Method, comprising

monitoring if an initiation of a charging dialogue comprises an indication of a rating group and an indication of a service to be charged, wherein the initiation is received from a packet gateway;

checking, if the initiation comprises the indication of the rating group and the indication of the service group, if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service correspond to a stored association of one or more rating groups to one or more services;

providing an order of correction to the packet gateway if the received indication of the rating group and the received indication of the service do not correspond to the stored association.

21. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any of claims 1 1 to 20.

22. The computer program product according to claim 21 , embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into a computer.