Abstract: A method for managing a Sponsored Data Plan (SDP) is provided in a mobile telecommunications network. The method includes: receiving a first request for an initial charging policy report in response to a detection of a user's data session with an Application Server (AS) (14) of a content provider; sending, in response to the first request, the requested initial charging policy report toward a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) (16) such that the PCRF (16) selects a first Policy Charging Control Rule (PCC-Rule) in accordance with the report for enforcement at a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF); receiving a second request to perform an online subscription of the user to the SDP; and sending, in response to the second request, information about the SDP toward the PCRF (16) such that the PCRF (16) selects a second PCC-Rule in accordance with the information for enforcement at the PCEF.

Abstract: Methods are provided for metering the usage, on a group of lines subject to a group user agreement, of the data processing capacity of a network. Implementations include steps of receiving usage reports from respective lines of the group at least when usage quotas granted to the lines are exhausted; maintaining a total, over the group, of usage that has been reported by the lines and of outstanding usage quotas that have been granted to the lines; and maintaining a comparison between the total outstanding group quota and a limit that depends on the total reported group usage, so as to detect violation events when said quota violates the limit. Upon occurrence of violation events, instructions for the processors serving respective lines to reallocate quota are sent selectively.

Abstract: A method for managing a Sponsored Data Plan (SDP) is provided in a mobile telecommunications network. The method includes: receiving a first request for an initial charging policy report in response to a detection of a user's data session with an Application Server (AS) (14) of a content provider; sending, in response to the first request, the requested initial charging policy report toward a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) (16) such that the PCRF (16) selects a first Policy Charging Control Rule (PCC-Rule) in accordance with the report for enforcement at a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF); receiving a second request to perform an online subscription of the user to the SDP; and sending, in response to the second request, information about the SDP toward the PCRF (16) such that the PCRF (16) selects a second PCC-Rule in accordance with the information for enforcement at the PCEF.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing wireless intelligent network services to mobile stations currently being served by a mobile switching center (S-MSC) that is not wireless intelligent network capable. The call is routed through a wireless intelligent network capable MSC (O-MSC). When the O-MSC receives the call, it requests instructions from a service control point (SCP) which provides a list of triggers for call states requiring further SCP instructions. Advantageously, this arrangement avoids the use of a double connection, using a loop-around trunk, in the O-MSC, as is required in the prior art.

Abstract: An intelligent network-based e-commerce system 100 contains one or more service control points (SCPs) 122 for maintaining account information associated with a plurality of prepaid subscribers. The account information is accessible by service providers 108-120 or subscribers via a gateway server 104. The electronic commerce system supports transactions including subscriber authentication, balance request operations, debit request operations and credit request operations.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for replenishing subscriber accounts in an intelligent network-based e-commerce system 100 using credit/debit cards (FIG. 2) or scratch cards (FIG. 3). An end user sends a recharge request to a client application 108-120. The recharge includes information comprising the recharge amount, an identifier of the prepaid account, and indicia of one the credit card, debit card or scratch card for funding the recharge amount. The client application forwards the information to a gateway server 104 which, in turn, sends the information to a service control point (SCP) 122. In the embodiment using a credit/debit card, the SCP determines validity of the account and authorization to fund the recharge amount using the credit/debit card. In the embodiment using a scratch card, the SCP determines validity of the account and validity of the scratch card. Validity of the scratch card is determined by querying a recharge card management system (RCMS).

Abstract: An intelligent network-based e-commerce system 100 computes costs and bills customers for rated transactions based on service type and/or content. A gateway device such as a gateway server 104 or short message service center (SMSC) 404 receives costing/billing requests (or “rated debit requests”) and forwards the requests to one or more service control points (SCPs) 122. The SCPs maintain subscriber accounts for one or more subscribers and maintain a tariff table having cost/rate information associated with one or more services. Upon receiving the costing/billing request, an SCP consults the tariff table to determine the cost/rate information corresponding to the service type and/or content identified in the rated debit request and computes the cost of the service based on the rate information. In one embodiment, the SCP further determines an eligibility of the subscriber account to be billed for the service (i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing wireless intelligent network services to mobile stations currently being served by a mobile switching center (S-MSC) that is not wireless intelligent network capable. The call is routed through a wireless intelligent network capable MSC (O-MSC). When the O-MSC receives the call, it requests instructions from a service control point (SCP) which provides a list of triggers for call states requiring further SCP instructions. Advantageously, this arrangement avoids the use of a double connection, using a loop-around trunk, in the O-MSC, as is required in the prior art.