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: 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: 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: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for transferring charging information in telecommunication system, the method comprising establishing a call between a first terminal and a second terminal, the establishment of the call being performed by the transmission of call setup messages according to a messaging protocol between the first network and the second network; and transmitting charging data between first and second charging units to indicate the basis of charging for the support of the call; wherein the call setup messages and the charging data are transferred according to the same messaging protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for charging for services in a communication system comprises a charging entity and at least two connection support entities for providing resources to support a connection in the communication system. Various steps include detecting initiation of a connection by the connection support entities; generating a charging identity for identifying the connection; determining a first charge for supporting the connection by the first connection support entity; determining a second charge for the support of the connection by the second connection support entity; transmitting a first charging message from the first connection support entity to the charging entity, the message specifying the first charge and including the charging identity; and transmitting a second charging message from the second connection support entity to the charging entity, the second charging message specifying the second charge and including the charging identity.

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 of controlling provision of services from a network element to a subscriber comprising: defining a credit threshold representing the amount of credit remaining to the subscriber below which services will no longer be provided to that subscriber; responsive to a request for a first service from the subscriber, defining a quota of service units and, in the event that the credit remaining to the subscriber after funding said quota falls below the credit threshold, returning a service control indication with said quota; responsive to a subsequent request for a second service from the subscriber, returning a defined quota of service units with said service control indication; and monitoring usage of said service units in providing the first or second service and when it is determined that the quota has been used up, acting on the service control indication to interrupt said service provision.

Abstract: The invention provides, according to one embodiment, a method for charging for services in a communication system which includes a charging entity and at least two connection support entities for providing resources to support a connection in the communication system. The method may include detecting initiation of a connection for provision by the connection support entities, generating a charging identity at a first one of the connection support entities for identifying the connection to the at least two connection support entities, transmitting a first charging message from the first connection support entity to the charging entity, the message specifying a first tariff and including the charging identity, transmitting a second charging message from the second connection support entity to the charging entity, the message specifying a second tariff and including the charging identity, and storing the first tariff and the second tariff.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and network system for charging an account related to a terminal device (1) of a subscriber (A) to a first data network (10) for a network session rendered to the terminal device when roaming in a second data network (18). According to the method of the invention, upon registration of the terminal device to the second (visited) data network a network address of a first charging system (16) related to the home data network (10) of the terminal device (1) is transmitted from the home data network to the visited data network (18). When a network session is established for the terminal device (1) by the second data network, assessing of charge information about the network session will begin in the second data network in a real-time process. The saved network address of the charging system will be used for transmitting in real-time the assessed charge information from the second data network to the first charging system (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for enabling prepaid service in a packet-based communications system, in particular in an All-IP network which comprises one or more subscriber terminals. At least one subscriber database stores subscriber information including identification data of one or more server means, and the at least one server means stores prepaid accounts for subscribers. When a subscriber terminal is initiating the establishment of a connection to another network entity, the server means is adapted to transmit a subscriber-prepaid-account related value informing a control means on an available charge threshold value for the connection to be established.

Abstract: A method for charging for services in a communication system comprising a charging entity and at least two connection support entities for providing resources to support connection in the communication system. the method comprising: detecting initiation of a connection for provision by the connection support entities; generating a charging identity for identifying the connection: determining according to a first stored tariff a first charge for the support of the connection by the first connection support entity: determining according to a second stored tariff a second charge for the support of the connection by the second connection support entity; transmitting a first charging message from the first connection support entity to the charging entity. the message specifying the first charge and including the charging identity; and transmitting a second charging message from the second connection support entity to the charging entity, the message specifying the second charge and including the charging identity.

Abstract: A communications network system and a corresponding method for starting an AoC service of a user are disclosed. The system comprises a control means for sending a protocol message comprising a MIME indication of an AoC application to a user equipment (UE). The user equipment receives the protocol message and activates the AoC application by using the MIME indication.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a method and network system for charging an account related to a terminal device (1) of a subscriber (A) to a first data network (10) for a network session rendered to the terminal device when roaming in a second data network (18). According to the method of the invention, upon registration of the terminal device to the second (visited) data network a network address of a first charging system (16) related to the home data network (10) of the terminal device (1) is transmitted from the home data network to the visited data network (18). When a network session is established for the terminal device (1) by the second data network, assessing of charge information about the network session will begin in the second data network in a real-time process. The saved network address of the charging system will be used for transmitting in real-time the assessed charge information from the second data network to the first charging system (16).

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 communications system comprises at least one client and at least one service provider for providing a service and a charge node. The at least one service provider is arranged to provide the charging node with charging information and the charge node is arranged to determined a charge associated with the service.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring number portability in a communication system, comprising transmitting ported-out information to a network element are disclosed. The system includes an originating network and a recipient network. The originating network includes a first network element for establishing a call to a ported-out subscriber and for transmitting ported-out information.