Abstract: A method is disclosed for handling delivery of network-delivered services to a user equipment, UE, in a wireless communication network. The method is performed by at least one network node in the wireless communication network. The method includes receiving a service request associated with a network-delivered service from the UE. The method includes notifying one or more service plans related the service request to the UE, in response to the service request. The method includes receiving a user selection order from the UE, wherein the user selection order identifies a selection of at least one of the one or more service plans from the one or more service plans. Further, the method includes initiating the network-delivered service in accordance with the user selection order. Corresponding network node, user equipment and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a charging function (125) for handling a subscriber's communication services. The charging function (125) detects that a subscriber's credit account has reached or fallen below a credit threshold when the subscriber has multiple ongoing communication services consuming credit from the credit account. The charging function (125) sends a threshold notification to a UE (101) on which the subscriber has at least one of the multiple ongoing communication services. The charging function (125) determines if a response to the threshold notification has been received with prioritization of one of the multiple ongoing communication services. If a response with prioritization of one communication service has been received, the charging function (125) initiates termination of all ongoing communication services except the prioritized communication service, and provides all available credit to be available for the prioritized communication service.

Abstract: A method for charging in a radiocommunication system is described. A charging data request message associated with a UE is transmitted and, in response thereto, a charging data response message is received including one or more charging triggers, wherein at least one of the one or more charging triggers is of a usage reporting category and is associated with a first charging event. Another charging data request is transmitted after both the first charging event occurs and usage of an associated service has been requested by the UE.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for event-based reporting from a second NF to a first NF in an SBA network. A method is performed by the first NF. The method comprises sending reporting instructions of events for a session with the second NF. The reporting instructions comprise a list of triggers conditions for each of the events and information of IEs whose values are cached by the first NF for the session. Each of the trigger conditions is associated with its own set of IEs. The second NF is instructed to provide a report to the first NF when one of the trigger conditions is fulfilled at the second NF. The report comprises values of the set of IEs for the event that caused the trigger condition to be fulfilled. The second NF is instructed to include values in the report of those IEs cached by the first NF only if the values have changed compared to the cached values.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a network node implementing a network function repository function in a core network. A registration request message to register a CHF in a repository of network functions is received, the registration request message includes an indication of one or more sets of charging characteristics supported by the CHF and addressing information to reach the CHF. Each CHF in the repository is registered. A discovery request message including one or more search parameters for identifying a CHF, including at least an indication of a set of charging characteristics to be applied for the packet data connection is received. A CHF that supports the indicated set of charging characteristics is identified based on the one or more search parameters. A discovery response message comprising the addressing information to reach the identified CHF is transmitted.

Abstract: A network node of a communications network performs operations to determine a data traffic inactivity timer value based on subscriber event data, which identifies a subscriber and service characteristics using a communication session, being processed through a predictive model which uses historical usage data indicating idle times previously measured by charging trigger functions (CTFs) for the subscriber and the service characteristics. The operation further communicate the data traffic inactivity timer value to a CTF to configure monitoring of inactivity of the service using the communication session and to trigger a release operation related to the communication session when a data traffic inactivity timer using the data traffic inactivity timer value is determined to expire based on the monitored inactivity of the service.

Abstract: A node of a charging system associated with a communication network grants a charging request, with the response including a granted quota of units for authorizing consumption of the involved communication service by a user device, along with an indication of whether the granted quota applies on an immediate basis or on a deferred basis. For example, the response indicates whether quota management is active for the involved communication service, with the granted quota applying immediately to consumption of the service if quota management is active and applying on a deferred basis if quota management is inactive. Providing a granted quota while quota management is inactive offers several advantages, such as proactively providing individual charging sessions with granted units of service consumption that may be used subsequently, upon quota management becoming active, thereby avoiding the “flood” of charging session requests that would otherwise be generated upon quota management becoming active.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for charging for a connection in a radiocommunication system that provides services to both a device which is directly connected to the radiocommunication system and one or more other devices which connect to the radiocommunication system using, e.g., the transceiver of the device which is able to directly connect to the radiocommunication system. A method for charging for a first device which is connected to a second device that has radiocommunication connectivity includes receiving, at a node in the radiocommunication system, a charging authorization message for the second device’s connection to the radiocommunication system, which charging authorization message includes the device identifier associated with the first device; adding, by the node in the radiocommunication system, the device identifier for the first device to a list associated with the second device; and sending an indication that a connection for the first and second device is authorized.

Abstract: According to techniques disclosed herein, a Visited Communication Network (VCN) (10) selectively reports usage information back to a Home Communication Network (HCN) (50) for user traffic that is offloaded at the VCN (10) to a Data Network (DN) (14) rather than routed back to the HCN (50). Among the various advantages, the reporting supports charging operations in the HCN (50) regarding the offloaded traffic. Further advantages include the application of policy control and service-authorization control jointly between the VCN (10) and the HCN (50).

Abstract: An AMF of a communications system responds to receipt of a network attach request message of a UE requesting attachment to a network of the communication system, by sending a charging data request message toward a CHF containing a notification for the CHF to keep a charging data resource to track charging for network resources used for communications associated with UE while attached to the network. The AMF receives a response message of the CHF containing a reference for the charging data resource associated with the UE while attached to the network. The AMF responds to receiving a PDU session establishment request message of the UE, by sending a PDU session establishment request message containing the reference for the charging data resource toward a SMF. Related SMF and CHF of the communications system are disclosed.

Abstract: Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions in a communication network (10) provide logical interconnections between Data Networks (DNs) (16) and respective User Equipments (UEs) (12) that access the DNs (16) via the communication network (10), and the communication network (10) establishes one or more affiliated sessions in conjunction with each PDU session, such as an affiliated charging or policy control session. Rather than requiring the high signaling overhead associated with mass terminations of these affiliated sessions on a per session basis, the Network Functions (NFs) (32, 34, 36) contemplated herein provide for batch termination of a potentially large plurality affiliated sessions, based on the exchange of a corresponding batch termination message. Disclosed batch termination techniques include the exchange of information during session establishment, for later determination of which affiliated sessions are subject to batch termination.

Abstract: A method for managing a charging operation in a communication network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a content specification identifying content, vendors and a condition relating to charging the vendors for provision of the content to a UE. The method further comprises creating a charging policy for provision of the content, which specifies division of charging for provision of the content to a UE between the vendors in accordance with the condition, receiving, from a UE, a request for provision of content over the network and retrieving a charging policy corresponding to the requested content. The method further comprises creating a charging entry for provision of the requested content, the charging entry dividing charging for provision of the requested content between vendors identified in the retrieved charging policy and a subscriber account associated with the UE in accordance with the retrieved policy.

Abstract: A method for associating partial durations of a voice service session provided via a packet-switched network to parties of the voice service session, wherein the parties comprise a first party and a second party, and wherein dedicated network resources are assigned and/or released intermittently during the voice service session is disclosed. The method comprises invoking, when the voice service session is ongoing, a hold or temporary disconnect of the voice service session by either of the first and second party, storing a Session Description Protocol, (SDP) Offer as negotiated between the first and second party in a storage for a first time duration, and associating, to the party who invoked the hold or temporary disconnect of the voice service session, an intermediate partial duration of the voice service session that starts when the hold or temporary disconnect of the voice service session was invoked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for charging for resource usage by an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The method includes: creating a subscription for the IoT device; estimating, based at least in part on the subscription, a number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time; transmitting a first message including the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time towards an Online Charging System (OCS); and transmitting a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time towards the OCS.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a charging function (125) for handling a subscriber's communication services. The charging function (125) detects that a subscriber's credit account has reached or fallen below a credit threshold when the subscriber has multiple ongoing communication services consuming credit from the credit account. The charging function (125) sends a threshold notification to a UE (101) on which the subscriber has at least one of the multiple ongoing communication services. The charging function (125) determines if a response to the threshold notification has been received with prioritization of one of the multiple ongoing communication services. If a response with prioritization of one communication service has been received, the charging function (125) initiates termination of all ongoing communication services except the prioritized communication service, and provides all available credit to be available for the prioritized communication service.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a network node implementing a network function repository function in a core network. A registration request message to register a CHF in a repository of network functions is received, the registration request message includes an indication of one or more sets of charging characteristics supported by the CHF and addressing information to reach the CHF. Each CHF in the repository is registered. A discovery request message including one or more search parameters for identifying a CHF, including at least an indication of a set of charging characteristics to be applied for the packet data connection is received. A CHF that supports the indicated set of charging characteristics is identified based on the one or more search parameters A discovery response message comprising the addressing information to reach the identified CHF is transmitted.

Abstract: It is recognized herein that certain ones of the requests subject to abatement, otherwise referred to as overload control, have more “value” (monetary or otherwise) than other ones of the requests. The relative importance of requests may be advantageously considered when deciding which requests are discarded or deferred for alleviation of an overload situation at the OCS. Further, it is also recognized herein that certain ones of the requests may be more sensitive or less sensitive to processing delays, meaning that certain requests are more amenable to buffering-based abatement than others. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein provide, among other things, mechanisms by which an OCS configures the overload controls imposed at CTFs or other requesting entities in a communication network, meaning that the OCS can prioritize which requests are sent to it during overload conditions, at least in terms of the underlying services or circumstances associated with the request.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operation of a MME and a corresponding MME for executing the method, which method comprises: receiving an indication from an eNB, which indication indicates how much data traffic was carried over unlicensed spectrum by a SeNB or a WiFi AP for a certain wireless device; and providing, to a S-GW, information that indicates how much data traffic was carried over the unlicensed spectrum for the certain wireless device.

Abstract: According to one aspect of this disclosure, a charging client in a telecommunication network controls, or at least influences, the time over which a granted resource quota is considered valid for use in initiating or continuing a communication session that is subject to online charging control. When sending a given reservation request to a controlling charging server, the charging client indicates the requested timer value. Provided the requested timer value is acceptable to the charging server, the server sends a reservation response that includes a conforming granted timer value, and the charging client times expiration of the granted resource quota according to the granted timer value. In case the reservation response is non-conforming, the charging client decides whether or not to use the granted resource quota. Such operations allow the charging client to tune quota timer values, for example, in dependence on loading at the charging client.

Abstract: According to one aspect of this disclosure, a charging client in a telecommunication network controls, or at least influences, the time over which a granted resource quota is considered valid for use in initiating or continuing a communication session that is subject to online charging control. When sending a given reservation request to a controlling charging server, the charging client indicates the requested timer value. Provided the requested timer value is acceptable to the charging server, the server sends a reservation response that includes a conforming granted timer value, and the charging client times expiration of the granted resource quota according to the granted timer value. In case the reservation response is non-conforming, the charging client decides whether or not to use the granted resource quota. Such operations allow the charging client to tune quota timer values, for example, in dependence on loading at the charging client.