Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus caused to perform: during or subsequent to performing at least part of an authentication and/or authorisation procedure for a user equipment to access a network slice: signalling. to a charging function, a charging data request, the charging data request comprising an identifier of the user equipment, an identifier of the network slice. and an indication of an event to which the charging data request relates; and receiving, from the charging function, a charging data response.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for charging in a telecommunication network. An example method may include transmitting, a charging service request from a first network apparatus related to a user equipment converged charging system to a second network apparatus related to a tenant converged charging system, the charging service request comprising an indication for at least one parameter related to network slice level charging information of a network slice, an identifier of the network slice and an identifier of a user equipment; receiving, at the first network apparatus, a charging service response corresponding to the charging service request from the second network apparatus, the charging service response comprising the at least one parameter related to the network slice level charging information; and determining, by the first network apparatus, a charging criterion of the user equipment based on the received charging service response.

Abstract: There are provided measures for coordinated session charging in roaming scenarios. Such measures (of a first session management entity of a first mobile network in a roaming charging related scenario between said first mobile network and a second mobile network) exemplarily comprise transmitting a session creation request message to a second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation request message including information indicative of a first configuration utilized for mobile network related charging, and receiving a session creation response message from said second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation response message including information indicative of a second configuration utilized for mobile network related charging.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving, from a service network function, a request related to charging for a user equipment, means for determining whether to defer a consensus-based charging operation associated with the user equipment, means for transmitting to the service network function, when it is determined that the consensus-based charging operation is to be deferred, an indication indicating that the request is granted and means for refraining from transmitting any indication about the consensus-based charging associated with the user equipment until it is determined that the consensus-based charging operation associated with the user equipment is not to be deferred.

Abstract: A control plane entity selects a subset of a plurality of user plane entities to support a charging session associated with a user based on charging policies for the plurality of user plane entities. The control plane entity allocates portions of a quota for the charging session to the control plane entity and the subset of the plurality of user plane entities based on the charging policies. In some cases, the control plane entity modifies the quotas that are allocated to the control plane entity or the subset of the plurality of user plane entities. Modifying the quotas can include redistributing unused portions of the quotas among the control plane entity and the subset of the plurality of user plane entities, e.g., in response to handover of the user equipment between user plane entities.

Abstract: There are provided measures for coordinated session charging in roaming scenarios. Such measures (of a first session management entity of a first mobile network in a roaming charging related scenario between said first mobile network and a second mobile network) exemplarily comprise transmitting a session creation request message to a second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation request message including information indicative of a first configuration utilized for mobile network related charging, and receiving a session creation response message from said second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation response message including information indicative of a second configuration utilized for mobile network related charging.

Abstract: There are provided measures for coordinated session charging in roaming scenarios. Such measures (of a first session management entity of a first mobile network in a roaming charging related scenario between said first mobile network and a second mobile network) exemplarily comprise transmitting a session creation request message to a second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation request message including information indicative of a first configuration utilized for mobile network related charging, and receiving a session creation response message from said second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation response message including information indicative of a second configuration utilized for mobile network related charging.

Abstract: A policy control and resource function (PCRF) is subscribed (at a network entity) to receive notifications of events for a first set of presence reporting areas (PRAs) associated with a packet data network (PDN) connection involving a user equipment. An online charging system (OCS) is subscribed (at the network entity) to receive notifications of events for a second set of PRAs associated with the PDN connection involving the user equipment. The network entity notifies an off-line charging system (OFCS) in response to a first event occurring at one or more first PRAs that are in the first set of PRAs.

Abstract: A policy control and resource function (PCRF) is subscribed (at a network entity) to receive notifications of events for a first set of presence reporting areas (PRAs) associated with a packet data network (PDN) connection involving a user equipment. An online charging system (OCS) is subscribed (at the network entity) to receive notifications of events for a second set of PRAs associated with the PDN connection involving the user equipment. The network entity notifies an off-line charging system (OFCS) in response to a first event occurring at one or more first PRAs that are in the first set of PRAs.

Abstract: It is provided a method, comprising monitoring if one of an input payload for a subscription and an output payload from the subscription is delivered; incrementing a payload counter by if one of the input payload and the output payload is delivered; providing the payload counter and an identifier of the subscription to a charging system at at least one of a predefined time and a predefined event.

Abstract: There are provided measures for coordinated session charging in roaming scenarios. Such measures (of a first session management entity of a first mobile network in a roaming charging related scenario between said first mobile network and a second mobile network) exemplarily comprise transmitting a session creation request message to a second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation request message including information indicative of a first configuration utilized for mobile network related charging, and receiving a session creation response message from said second session management entity of said second mobile network, said session creation response message including information indicative of a second configuration utilized for mobile network related charging.

Abstract: A control plane entity selects a subset of a plurality of user plane entities to support a charging session associated with a user based on charging policies for the plurality of user plane entities. The control plane entity allocates portions of a quota for the charging session to the control plane entity and the subset of the plurality of user plane entities based on the charging policies. In some cases, the control plane entity modifies the quotas that are allocated to the control plane entity or the subset of the plurality of user plane entities. Modifying the quotas can include redistributing unused portions of the quotas among the control plane entity and the subset of the plurality of user plane entities, e.g., in response to handover of the user equipment between user plane entities.

Abstract: Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR.

Abstract: In order to manage a change in conditions of using a service associated with a communication in progress established by a user terminal (TU) within its communications network (RT), a server determines that the user's account does not permit the delivery of the service with a change in the conditions of using a service, after the receipt of a first request derived from a network element, said request comprising an identifier of the service regarding the communication and a parameter defining the change in conditions of using the service, and the server transmits to the network element a response containing a code indicating that the delivery of the service is authorized only with other conditions of using the service, in order for the network element to transmit to the server a second request containing another parameter defining another change in conditions of using the service.

Abstract: System and method for implementing a predictive disconnect in an Offline Charging System of a telecommunications network are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for implementing a charging function in the OFCS is configured to determine that a resource allocated to the OFCS for processing messages received from one or more Charging Trigger Functions (CTFs) connected to the OFCS is experiencing or about to experience a bottleneck condition. The apparatus is configured to heuristically determine an expected duration of time for the resource to return to a normal condition, and is further configured to initiate a disconnection between the OFCS and one or more of the CTFs connected to the OFCS for at least the determined expected period of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR.

Abstract: Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR.

Abstract: Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR.

Abstract: In order to manage a change in conditions of using a service associated with a communication in progress established by a user terminal (TU) within its communications network (RT), a server determines that the user's account does not permit the delivery of the service with a change in the conditions of using a service, after the receipt of a first request derived from a network element, said request comprising an identifier of the service regarding the communication and a parameter defining the change in conditions of using the service, and the server transmits to the network element a response containing a code indicating that the delivery of the service is authorized only with other conditions of using the service, in order for the network element to transmit to the server a second request containing another parameter defining another change in conditions of using the service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dynamically controlling the quality of services attributed for the communication session of a user equipment (UE) in a 3GPP compliant communication network, comprising the steps of: initiating a communication session; an online charging system (OCS) detects an event (302) on the account of the user and decides that this event shall induce a change of parameters of the quality of service; the online charging system sends (303) a change of quality of service instruction to be applied after the consumption of the final granted units or immediately, to a policy control enforcement function (PCEF); the policy control enforcement function (PCEF) forwards said request to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), once final units are exhausted; said policy and charging rules function (PCRF) derives modified policy charging and control rules from instruction for a change of quality of service within the session; said policy control enforcement function (PCEF) receives and appli