WO2021188023A1

WO2021188023A1 - Methods and systems for charging using management information

Info

Publication number: WO2021188023A1
Application number: PCT/SE2020/050278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert TÖRNKVIST; Robert Petersen; Edwin Tse
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2020-03-17
Filing date: 2020-03-17
Publication date: 2021-09-23
Also published as: EP4122159A1; EP4122159A4

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for charging for services in a telecommunications network. The method includes: providing a charging function (CHF) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and learning, by the CHF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARGING USING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to communication networks and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniques for charging systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Over time the number of products and services provided to users of telecommunication products has grown significantly. For example, in the early years of wireless communication, devices could be used for conversations and later also had the ability to send and receive text messages. Over time, technology advanced and wireless phones of varying capabilities were introduced which had access to various services provided by network operators, e.g., data services, such as streaming video or music service. More recently there are numerous devices, e.g., so called “smart” phones and tablets, which can access communication networks in which the operators of the networks, and other parties, provide many different types of services, applications, etc. Accordingly, there need to be methods and systems for efficiently charging for services, particularly, as service offerings exist in a dynamic environment with expectations of increased volume and new types of services available. [0003] Regarding charging for services, 3^rd Generation Partnership Project

(3GPP) currently relies on the Charging Trigger Function (CTF) to obtain information about the network usage. The CTF is located in the network function (NF). When a network event that the CTF decides should be charged for occurs, the CTF then triggers a request to a Charging Function (CHF). There are currently proposals regarding having the CHF, directly or indirectly, subscribing to events from a management function, in order to obtain information about the performance of the NF. This means that the CFIF will need to send a subscribe request to the management function (MnF) to obtain the information that the CTF needs for charging from that specific NF. For more information associated with these architectures, the interested reader is directed to 3GPP TR 32.845.

[0004] Currently, charging is used for billing end users while accounting is used to settle for services provided between operators. Similar operations can occur for other enterprises, e.g., used in other verticals, and these are typically considered to be somewhere between charging and accounting. Further, for other enterprises, the specific details regarding how to implement these financial transactions are typically outside of the scope of current specifications. When charging other enterprises, the charging functionality is not always based on the same factors as for end users, but can be based on other factors, such as, quantity of resource(s) used for supporting the service consumers, the performance of service provided for the service consumers and a correlation between supply and demand, e.g., resource(s) in abundance will have lower charges when consumed. For more information on registration of services see 3GPP TS 29.510, and for the management of services see 3GPP TS 28.533.

[0005] Flowever, there are problems associated with the existing solutions associated with charging. Current methods typically require that the NF has knowledge of what services are chargeable and when to trigger charging for using those services. This means that networks need to configure NFs to match what exists in the CFIF so as to not miss out on any charging opportunities. This way the NF is made aware of what service(s) that may be chargeable are handled either with internal policy control(s) or external policy control(s). Thus, to be able to charge for a service, it must first be specified how and what is to be charged before the service is setup in the network. This is in general, referred to as pre-configuration of the network function (NF) for charging purposes. In other words, preconfiguring, as used herein, describes provisioning the CHF beforehand with the information that the CFIF needs.

[0006] Additionally, current solutions all rely on preconfiguring the CFIF to what activities or events to monitor and charge, and thus current solutions will have difficulties adapting to the changing suite of business models applicable to enterprises. When charging enterprises, the variation of services and the like that the enterprises will be charged for will be dependent on the business that the enterprise operates. This issue with respect to enterprises is expected to require a high degree of flexibility in the charging solution. While this could potentially be achieved by having all data available sent to the CFIF, this charging solution would risk that the current CFIF would be overloaded with information, leading to other problems.

[0007] Thus, there is a need to provide methods and systems that overcome the above-described drawbacks associated with charging.

SUMMARY

[0008] Embodiments allow for charging for services in a telecommunications network by using either a subscription or a broadcast method for learning about services in or associated with the telecommunications network. This can improve the efficiency of the charging system by allowing for learning about information associated with a new service without using conventional pre-configuration methods.

[0009] According to an embodiment, there is a method for charging for services in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: providing a charging function (CHF) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and learning, by the CHF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node. [0010] According to an embodiment, there is a communication node for charging for services in a telecommunications network. The communication node comprising: a node which includes at least one processor configured to provide a charging function (CHF) in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and the CHF node configured to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

[0011] According to an embodiment, there is a computer-readable storage medium containing a computer-readable code that when read by a processor causes the processor to perform a method for charging for services in a telecommunications network comprising: providing a charging function (CHF) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and learning, by the CHF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

[0012] According to an embodiment, there is an apparatus adapted to provide a charging function (CHF) in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

[0013] According to an embodiment, there is an apparatus comprising: a first module configured to provide a charging function (CHF) in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and a second module configured to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates an architecture for implementing a first charging system according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2 shows a signaling diagram associated with the first charging system according to an embodiment; [0017] Figure 3 illustrates another architecture for implementing a second charging system according to an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 4 shows a signaling diagram associated with the second charging system according to an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method for charging for services in a telecommunications network according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 depicts a communication node according to an embodiment; and

[0021] Figure 7 depicts an electronic storage medium on which computer program embodiments can be stored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to the configurations described below, but may be extended to other arrangements as discussed later.

[0023] Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. [0024] As described in the Background section, there are problems associated with charging for telecommunication services, particularly with the consideration of charging between enterprises, currently in, for example, 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) systems. Embodiments described provide for creating more flexible methods to discover and subscribe to acquiring network function (NF) performance measurements reports for charging. A first embodiment describes using a central point for charging related registration and a second embodiment describes using a more distributed architecture for recognizing and acquiring measurement reports used for charging. Measurement reports, as used herein, contain metrics, faults, management information, performance information, configuration information including scaling, priorities and other information as desired to be used for charging. Further, according to an embodiment, the various NFs 8 can determine what needs to be measured. [0025] According to a first embodiment, which is described herein as a “subscription model”, a NF providing a service registers with a Network Repository Function (NRF) the following information: name of the service provided, name of resources used for providing the named service, types of measurements that can be recorded and reported, the identifiers of the NF itself, etc. When a Charging Function (CFIF) is interested in charging for the provided service provided by one or more NFs, the CFIF can query the NRF to discover the one or more NFs providing the service or the CFIF can make a subscription in the NRF that would notify the CFIF should any NF register the service in the NRF. The CFIF would then send a request, to the one or more NFs providing the service to start recording the required measurements and report the measurements to the CFIF. [0026] According to an embodiment, Figure 1 illustrates the structural nodes/functions used in support of the first embodiment. More specifically, Figure 1 shows an architecture 2 associated with the subscription model which includes the CFIF 4, the NRF 6, the NF 8 and the Management Function (MnF) 10. The CFIF 4 collects information to be used for rating and billing. The CFIF 4 can also discover NF(s) 8 to include the NFs’ 8 services and measurements related to services offered, as shown by communication 14 with the NRF 6. Additionally, the CFIF 4 can also subscribe to a certain measurement reports with the MnF 10 as shown by communication 12 with the MnF 10. [0027] The NRF 6 provides service registration allowing NF 8 to register its presence, the types of measurements it can record and report as shown by communication 16. The NRF 6 also provides a service discovery allowing the CFIF 4 to discover the presence of NF(s) offering reports on services and measurements. Additionally, the NF 8 creates reports for the subscribed measurements as shown in communication 18 to the MnF 10.

[0028] The NF 8 provides one or more services. While only a single NF 8 is shown in Figure 1 and elsewhere in this description, it is to be understood that embodiments can allow for one or more NFs 8. [0029] The MnF 10 manages NF 8. The MnF 10 also receives the measurement subscriptions from the CFIF 4, sets up the measurements from the NF 8, receives measurement reports from the NF 8 and forwards measurement reports to the subscribing functions, e.g., the CFIF 4.

[0030] According to an embodiment, Figure 2 shows a signaling diagram 200 associated with the subscription model using the nodes described with respect to Figure 1. Initially, the CFIF 4 subscribes in the NRF 6 to the following: new types of Services, new NFs 8 providing an existing service, and any new services as shown by message 202.

The NF 8 is started up and registers its services offered and possible measurements related to services offered as shown by message 204 to the NRF 6. The NRF 6 then notifies the CFIF 4 of the new services available and the related measurements about the services, together with the location as shown in message 206.

[0031] The CFIF 4, after receipt of message 206, sends a subscription request on the measurements related to service to the MnF 10 as shown in message 208. The MnF 10 checks the current measurements being recorded by NF 8 and, if there are not any matching measurements being performed which match the subscription request, configure NF 8 to start recording the measurements, otherwise the current measurement reports will be reused. When a service is being used or at specified intervals, the NF 8 will send measurement reports to the MnF 10 as shown by messages 210a, 21 Ob, 210c, 21 Od and

21 Oe. The MnF 10 checks these measurement reports 210a, 210b, 210c, 21 Od and 21 Oe against subscriptions for the reports and may alter the configuration for the NF 8. This can include the MnF 10 setting up new measurement reports in the NF 8 if there are no reports matching the needed information from the CFIF 4 as well as removing measurement reports which are no longer needed in the NF 8. Further, the MnF 10 notifies the CFIF 4 on the measurements being performed by the NF 8 as shown in message 212a, 212b and 212c.

[0032] According to a second embodiment, which is described herein as a “broadcast model”, all of the NFs 8 providing service(s) can broadcast their presence, services provided and a system state. The CFIF 4 monitors the broadcast(s) and becomes aware of the presence and states of all NFs 8 providing services. The CFIF 4 can query the known NFs 8 for information about monitoring and charging capabilities, and then decide whether to use any of the NFs 8 and which of the NFs 8 to use for charging of this service. If the decision to use is positive, the CFIF 4 then requests the selected one or more NFs 8 to start monitoring or to produce charging information, e.g., recording measurements, and for the NFs 8 to report the charging information to the CFIF.

According to an embodiment, for the cases where an operator wants to charge another operator or a customer, e.g., a vertical company, for service(s). [0033] According to an embodiment, Figure 3 illustrates the structural nodes/functions used in support of the second embodiment referred to herein as the “broadcast model”. More specifically, Figure 3 shows an architecture 2 associated with the broadcast model which includes the CFIF 4, the NF 8, the MnF 10 and a logical network 302 composed of multiple NF(s) The CFIF 4 collects information to be used for rating and billing. The NF 8, member of the logical network 302 also broadcasts about the services offered with their related measurements report, as shown in communication 306. Logical network 302 can include one or more entities that receive, distribute and/or store information. Additionally, network portion 302 can reside inside or outside of the management system.

[0034] The NF 8 also creates reports for the subscribed measurements, as shown in communication 308 to the MnF 10. The CHF 4 also discovers (because it receives the broadcast, shown as communication 306) NFs 8 of a logical network with their associated services and connected measurement services and/or objects. Further, the CHF 4 can subscribe to a specific MnF 10 as shown in communication 304, to receive the required measurements report via communication 304.

[0035] The NF 8 provides one or more services of the logical network. While only a single NF 8 is shown in Figure 3 and elsewhere in this description, it is to be understood that embodiments can allow for one or more NFs 8. [0036] The MnF 10 provides performance, fault and configuration management service managing the NFs 8. The MnF 10 receives the measurement subscriptions from the CHF 4. The MnF 10 also receives and sets up measurement reports from the NFs 8. Further, as needed, the MnF 10 forwards measurement reports to the subscribing functions, e.g., the CFIF 4.

[0037] According to an embodiment, Figure 4 shows a signaling diagram 400 associated with the broadcast model using the nodes described with respect to Figure 3. Initially, the CFIF 4 listens for NFs 8 broadcasting new or existing services and the related measurements as shown in message 402. CFIF, upon reception of each broadcast, determines if services and related measurements are needed. If the determination is positive, the CFIF 4 then sends a subscription message 404 for the measurements, associated with the information in the received broadcasted message 402, to the MnF 10. [0038] The MnF 10 then checks the current measurements being performed. If there are no matching measurements to the subscription request 404, then a new measurement is started, otherwise current measurement reports are used. When a service is being used, or at specific intervals, the NF 8 sends measurement reports as shown by message 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d and 406e. The MnF 10 checks these measurement reports 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d and 406e against subscriptions for the reports and may alter the configuration for the NF 8. This can include the MnF 10 setting up new measurement reports in the NF 8 if there are no reports matching the needed information from the CFIF 4 as well as removing measurement reports which are no longer needed in the NF 8. Further, the MnF 10 notifies the CFIF 4 regarding the measurements being performed by the NF 8 as shown in message 408a, 408b and 408c.

[0039] Embodiments described herein enable charging for services in a telecommunications network by using either a subscription or a broadcast method for learning about services in or associated with the telecommunications network. This can improve the efficiency of the charging system by allowing for the CHF 4 to learn about information associated with a new service without using conventional CHF pre configuration methods.

[0040] According to an embodiment, there is a method 500 for charging for services in a telecommunications network as shown in Figure 5. The method includes: in step 502, providing a charging function (CHF) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and in step 504, learning, by the CHF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

[0041] Embodiments provide various advantages or improvements for charging for services in a telecommunications network. For example, embodiments allow for the reduction or elimination of problems in current charging systems by removing the need to preconfigure the CHF 4 or the NF 8 with the charging models that are needed for associated services as well as the requirement of not only configuration changes but, in many cases, also software changes. Thus the NFs 8 themselves state the correlation between the service they provide and the metrics that can be used to measure the service’s performance or scaling. Further, the charge is often based on the size or the performance of the service, as well as the correlation between demand and supply. Therefore, according to an embodiment, the charging function can obtain an improved understanding or learning of the connection between a service and the measurements points without having to be preconfigured. Instead these connections can be discovered and then used for creating offerings based on what can be measured. Further, these actions are also possible for management actions performed by customers, e.g., other operators, vertical companies, etc. An example of a vertical company is an enterprise that services a specific market or section of the market. [0042] Embodiments allow for eliminating the need to pre-configure the CHF 4 with the knowledge of various services provided as well as discovering measurement services and objects (MnS) that are connected to a service provided by NFs 8. Additionally, according to an embodiment, systems and methods described herein allow for requesting the discovered MnS(s) to have the required measurement reports. Also, embodiments support of enterprise billing in that enterprise billing can be based on performance indicators which rely on factors that vary over time, such as, resource availability, fault information, etc. Resource availability can include supply of resources versus demand of resources and fault information can include information associated with involving rebate(s). [0043] Systems and methods are provided for charging for services in a telecommunications network. The method includes: providing a charging function (CFIF) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and learning, by the CFIF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by either discovering, from a registry, the presence and location of NFs providing services and related measurements since NF(s), capable of providing services would have registered their location, their services offered and measurements reports offered with a registry or discovering, from a broadcasting medium, the presence and location of NFs providing services and the service related measurements since NF(s), capable of providing services would have send out their location, their services offered and measurements reports offered in the broadcast channel. Alternatively, the information associated with the new service can be received directly from a NF 8. [0044] Embodiments described above can be implemented in one or more nodes

(or servers). An example of a communication node 600 is shown in Figure 6. The communication node 600 (or other network node) includes a processor 602 for executing instructions and performing the functions described herein, e.g., the functions performed by the CFIF 4, the NRF 6, the NF 8 and the MnF 10. The communication node 600 also includes a primary memory 604, e.g., random access memory (RAM) memory, a secondary memory 606 which can be a non-volatile memory, and an interface 608 for communicating with other portions of a network or among various nodes/servers in support of charging.

[0045] Processor 602 may be a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other communication node 600 components, such as memory 604 and/or 606, node 600 functionality in support of the various embodiments described herein. For example, processor 602 may execute instructions stored in memory 604 and/or 606.

[0046] Primary memory 604 and secondary memory 606 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, RAM, read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. Primary memory 604 and secondary memory 606 may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including software and encoded logic, utilized by node 600. Primary memory 604 and secondary memory 606 may be used to store any calculations made by processor 602 and/or any data received via interface 608.

[0047] Communication node 600 also includes communication interface 608 which may be used in the wired or wireless communication of signaling and/or data. For example, interface 608 may perform any formatting, coding, or translating that may be needed to allow communication node 600 to send and receive data over a wired connection. Interface 608 may also include a radio transmitter and/or receiver that may be coupled to or a part of the antenna. The radio may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. The radio may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signal may then be transmitted via an antenna to the appropriate recipient.

[0048] Various embodiments described herein refer in some fashion to nodes, e.g., nodes which supports functions associated with charging. In some embodiments the non limiting communication node (also interchangeably called as node or telecommunication node) is more commonly used and it refers to any type of network node which directly or indirectly communicates with a user equipment (UE), a node in one or more operator networks, a core network and nodes associated with enterprises. [0049] The disclosed embodiments provide methods and devices for performing charging activities in a telecommunication network. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed invention. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.

[0050] As also will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining hardware and software aspects. Further, the embodiments, e.g., the configurations and other logic associated with the charging process to include embodiments described herein, such as, the methods associated with Figure 5, may take the form of a computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. For example, Figure 7 depicts an electronic storage medium 700 on which computer program embodiments can be stored. Any suitable computer- readable medium may be utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, digital versatile disc (DVD), optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices such as floppy disk or magnetic tape. Other non-limiting examples of computer-readable media include flash- type memories or other known memories.

[0051] Although the features and elements of the present embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. The methods or flowcharts provided in the present application may be implemented in a computer program, software or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a specifically programmed computer or processor.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for charging for services in a telecommunications network comprising: providing (502) a charging function (CHF,4) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and learning (504), by the CHF node (4), about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs,8), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of learning, by the CHF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node further comprises one of: querying a network repository function (NRF) to discover all of the NFs providing the new service or generating a subscription in the NRF that would notify the CHF when a NF registers the new service in the NRF.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the another network node is a network repository function (NRF).

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: after performing the step of learning, by the CFIF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs) by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node occurs, transmitting requests, by the CFIF node wherein the requests include instructions to start recording required measurements and to report the required measurements to the CFIF node.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the measurement reports include at least one of metrics, faults, performance information, management information and configuration information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of learning, by the CFIF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs) by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node further comprises monitoring broadcasts from the one or more NFs.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: querying, by the CHF node, the one or more NFs for information about monitoring and charging capabilities associated with the new service; and deciding, by the CFIF node, which of the one or more NFs to use for charging for the new service.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein if the output of the step of deciding, by the CHF node, whether to use which of the one or more NFs for charging for the new service is positive, then requesting, by the CFIF node, for each of the one or more NFs for which the decision is positive, to commence monitoring or producing charging information and to report the monitoring or producing charging information to the CFIF node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the monitoring or producing charging information includes recording measurements.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the NFs are replaced by one or more management functions (MnFs) or management services.

11. A system for charging for services in a telecommunications network comprising: a node (600) which includes at least one processor (602) configured to provide a charging function (CFIF, 4) in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and the CFIF node (4) configured to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs, 8), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the step to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node further comprises one of: querying a network repository function (NRF) to discover all of the NFs providing the new service or generating a subscription in the NRF that would notify the CFIF when a NF registers the new service in the NRF.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the another network node is a network repository function (NRF).

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising: after performing the step of to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs) by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node occurs, the CFIF node is further configured to transmit requests, wherein the requests include instructions to start recording required measurements and to report the required measurements to the CFIF node.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the measurement reports include at least one of metrics, faults, performance information, management information and configuration information.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the step of to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs) by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node further comprises monitoring broadcasts from the one or more NFs.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: the CFIF node configured to query the one or more NFs for information about monitoring and charging capabilities associated with the new service; and the CFIF node configured to decide which of the one or more NFs to use for charging for the new service.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein if the output of deciding, by the CFIF node, whether to use which of the one or more NFs for charging for the new service is positive, then the CFF node is further configured to request, for each of the one or more NFs for which the decision is positive, to commence monitoring or producing charging information and to report the monitoring or producing charging information to the CHF node.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the monitoring or producing charging information includes recording measurements.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the NFs are replaced by one or more management function (MnFs) or management services.

21. A computer-readable storage medium containing a computer-readable code that when read by a processor causes the processor to perform a method for charging for services in a telecommunications network comprising: providing a charging function (CHF) in a node in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and learning, by the CHF node, about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

22. An apparatus adapted to provide a charging function (CHF) in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.

23. A computer program code comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-10.

24. A carrier containing the computer program of claim 23, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

25. An apparatus comprising: a first module configured to provide a charging function (CFIF) in the telecommunications network which is responsible for collecting information used for charging for telecommunication services; and a second module configured to learn about information associated with a new service to be charged which is provided by one or more network functions (NFs), the learning performed by receiving the information associated with the new service from another network node.