Abstract: A method of communication comprising the steps of: requesting at least one service having a plurality of parts; determining if said at least one service can be provided taking into account credit information relating to a user; and if not providing only one or some of said plurality of parts of said at least one service.

Abstract: For controlling charging in an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem, it is detected whether a session initiated in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem is associated with a service requiring special charging control, and charging information is added to messages signalling establishment or modification of the session in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: A method of communication comprising the steps of: requesting at least one service having a plurality of parts; determining if said at least one service can be provided taking into account credit information relating to a user; and if not providing only one or some of said plurality of parts of said at least one service.

Abstract: A method of communication comprising the steps of: requesting at least one service having a plurality of parts; determining if said at least one service can be provided taking into account credit information relating to a user; and if not providing only one or some of said plurality of parts of said at least one service.

Abstract: A communication method for use in a communications system includes at least one user. The method includes a step of establishing a session for permitting a user to communicate with at least one entity. The method also includes the steps of using a first charging method for one part of the session and using a second charging method for a different part of the session.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, when an Activate PDP Context Request message is forwarded to a Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN), the SGSN creates a Create PDP Context Request message and forwards it to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). In response to the Create PDP Context Request forwarded by the SGSN, the GGSN creates a Create PDP Context Response message. When a PDP context is created by the GGSN, the GGSN associates a Globally Unique Charging Identification (GCI) with the PDP context. Then, the Create PDP Context Response including the GCI is forwarded to the SGSN. The GCI is sent from the SGSN to the UE and from the UE to the CSCF. In a second embodiment, the GCI is sent from the SGSN or the GGSN directly to the Call State Control Function (CSCF). Sending the GCI can be performed either autonomously or based on a request from the CSCF.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and device for charging of data reaching a network element of a communication network during a data session, the data session comprising a plurality of data flows, with each flow being distinguishable by a set of flow parameters. The method includes enforcing a charging policy at the network element to be applied to the data, wherein the charging policy defines charging rules per flow, observing the data reaching the network element and detecting at least one flow of data, matching the detected flow of data to an enforced charging policy, and applying the matching charging policy to the data flow, thereby generating charging information. A method and device is also provided for supplying a network element with a charging policy to be enforced at the network element for charging of data reaching the network element of a communication network during a data session.

Abstract: A network element and a method for accounting chargeable signaling in a communication network. The network includes a signaling message detected in a call processing network element, and an amount of data carried in the signaling message. The amount of data is determined based on a message description provided in the signaling message. The network further includes a counting function, which is selected and updated based on the message description. Accordingly, an inter-operator accounting can be provided even for data carried in signaling messages.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of charging in a communications network, said method comprising including a first charging identity in at least one of a plurality of messages relating to a service, said first charging identity being specific to said at least one message, including a second charging entity in said at least one message, said second charging identity being specific to said service, charging for said service based on at least one of said first and second charging identities.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a charge for a communication in a communications network is provided. A message is received from a user equipment. The message comprises a payload and is addressed to a plurality of destinations. A first message is sent towards a destination of the plurality of destinations. The first message comprises the payload, a first charging identifier, and a second charging identifier. The first charging identifier is associated with the message and the second charging identifier is generated for the destination. A charging message is sent to a network node to charge an account of the user equipment. The charging message comprises the first charging identifier and the second charging identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging against prepaid credit in a communication network. When a first terminal requests establishment of a call to a second terminal, the network ascertains whether prepaid credit is involved. If so, accounting sessions are established between an accounting server and any accounting servers that will raise costs during the call. A session identifier is generated. Once the call is established, charging update data is sent from the accounting clients to the accounting server, where it is collated on the basis of the accounting session identifier, whereby enabling updating of the prepaid credit during the call.

Abstract: For controlling charging in an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem, it is detected whether a session initiated in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem is associated with a service requiring special charging control, and charging information is added to messages signalling establishment or modification of the session in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: For controlling charging in an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem, it is detected whether a session initiated in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem is associated with a service requiring special charging control, and charging information is added to messages signalling establishment or modification of the session in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system implementing the method for arranging subscriber billing in a multi-provider environment wherein a subscriber desiring a service uses both a first network (A) and a second network (T). In order to bill the subscriber, either a tariff of the second network (T) is transmitted to the first network (A), a tariff of the first network is combined with the tariff of the second network and the subscriber is billed according to the combined tariff, or a billing identifier is generated in the first network (A) to be transmitted to the second network (T), the billing identifier is attached to billing information in both networks and the pieces of the billing information that comprise the same billing identifier are combined in order to bill the subscriber. The invention thus enables a subscriber in a multi-provider environment to be billed using a single bill.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, including detecting, at a network element, a type of a supplementary service requested by a user equipment, sending, by the network element, a message containing the detected type of the requested supplementary service to a charging system, receiving, at the network element, a message including information related to the detected type of the requested supplementary service from the charging system. The present invention further provides a respective system and network elements.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for charging for services in an IP based communication system, comprising: establishing an accounting session between a network element and a charging function for the session; and initiating a change in the accounting session at the charging function.

Abstract: A method for charging in a communication system is described. The method comprises initiating provision of a service for at least two parties. Further, it is verified that each of the parties is capable of paying for the use of the service. Then, payment information is generated and use of the service is charged based on the payment information. The service may be a game. A communication system configured to provide and charge the service is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging against prepaid credit in a communication network. When a first terminal requests establishment of a call to a second terminal, the network ascertains whether prepaid credit is involved. If so, accounting sessions are established between an accounting server and any accounting servers that will raise costs during the call. A session identifier is generated. Once the call is established, charging update data is sent from the accounting clients to the accounting server, where it is collated on the basis of the accounting session identifier, whereby enabling updating of the prepaid credit during the call.

Abstract: A method for charging for services in a communication system comprises a charging entity. The method comprises a step of sending a first message to the charging entity. The method also comprises a step of generating a charging identity at the charging entity if it is determined that the first message does not include a charging identity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging against prepaid credit in a communication network. When a first terminal requests establishment of a call to a second terminal, the network ascertains whether prepaid credit is involved. If so, accounting sessions are established between an accounting server and any accounting servers that will raise costs during the call. A session identifier is generated. Once the call is established, charging update data is sent from the accounting clients to the accounting server, where it is collated on the basis of the accounting session identifier, whereby enabling updating of the prepaid credit during the call.