A method for performing charging on a network resource is provided. The method mainly includes: determining a network slice performance indicator that is used for performing charging on a network slice instance; subscribing to data corresponding to the network slice performance indicator from a network slice management device; and performing charging on the network slice instance based on the data corresponding to the network slice performance indicator. According to the method, a charging result for a customer matches an input of an operator for the network slice instance, to help improve network resource utilization rate and meet diversified network service requirements of an industry customer.

A method for location-dependent billing for a services that are available to a mobile terminal, a local communication connection is set up to a fixably installed external location tag with a corresponding wireless interface between the fixably installed tag and the mobile terminal, the method including the steps of accessing the external location tag and transmitting a billing rate code from the external location tag to the mobile terminal, forwarding the billing rate code from the mobile terminal to a central unit of a mobile communication network, in which the mobile terminal is logged, determining a geographic location identification of the external location tag by evaluation of the billing rate code at the central unit, and selecting a billing rate for billing for the service available to the user based on the billing rate code at the central unit.

A subscriber communicates over an IP-based wireless telecommunications network through an access point. Identifiers associated with the access point (e.g., MAC address IP address, FQDN . . . ) are stored in a database. Each access point is mapped into one or more service zones, where service zones are mapped to service types. The subscriber has a rate plan that is based on a selection of one or more service types. When a wireless connection between the subscriber and the IP-based wireless telecommunications network is established, the access point identifiers are used to retrieve a service zone ID from the database. Upon completion of the communication, a call detail record can be generated that includes the service zone ID for the communication. The billing system can then retrieve billing plan information to determine an appropriate rate for the subscriber based on the service zone ID.

Device Assisted Services (DAS) for protecting network capacity is provided. In some embodiments, DAS for protecting network capacity includes monitoring a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication; classifying the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and associating the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

A multi-tenant media communication platform system and methods. The platform system includes media communication micro-services and micro-service configuration for a plurality of entities configured for use of the platform system. Enrolling an entity in the platform system includes setting entity configuration for use of the platform system by the entity. A micro-service request is processed according to the entity configuration. The micro-service request is a request for use of at least one micro-service of the platform system on behalf of the entity. Use of each micro-service is accounted for on behalf of the entity. Billing information for the entity is generated based on the accounting for the use of each micro-service on behalf of the entity. Entity configuration includes micro-service configuration, and micro-service configuration specifies at least one of: an endpoint mapping to at least one application logic URI, an event callback URI, and an event application logic URI.

The present application at least describes a computer-implemented method including a step of setting, via a service layer residing on a server outside of an underlying 3GPP network, a trigger in the underlying 3GPP network, where the trigger defines an QoS parameter change in the underlying 3GPP network. The underlying 3GPP network is configured with functionality to send a notification to the service layer upon detecting the QoS parameter change. The computer-implemented method also includes a step of receiving, from the underlying 3GPP network, the notification the detected QoS parameter change has occurred. The computer-implemented method further includes a step of performing, at the service layer residing on the server a service layer operation in response to the received notification.

A system may include a first processor for storing, in a key-value column-based database, data records from data sources of a cellular network that is transformed into a single format. Customer identifiers may be used as key-values for indexing the data records in the key-value column-based database. The system may include a second processor for creating session records from the data records. Each session record may include a velocity of an endpoint device associated with a session and a number of inter-cell handoff attempts for the session. Each session record may also be labeled with a session identifier comprising a customer identifier and a timestamp. The system may further include a third processor for creating cell-level records from the session records. Each cell-level record may include a plurality of key performance indicators for a cell site of the cellular network segregated by a plurality of endpoint device types.

The present disclosure provides details on an intermediary service bureau (ISB) system which includes an ISB center that acts as an intermediary communication center between communication devices used by correctional facilities and contract providers. The ISB records communications, stores security data, and provides front end processing to facilitate an inmate to communicate with an outside party by way of a contract provider. Further, the ISB provides accounting services for inmates and friends and family that use services provided the contract provider. The contract provider provides security and routing services for the ISB by obtaining data from the ISB and updating data at the ISB according to the communications.

Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in accordance with an embodiment, data services a mobile communication device's applications may be monitored against smart contracts stored in a central data center repository and/or written to a blockchain. Other data services may include all forms of communications between the mobile communication device and a third party along with changes to application or data within the mobile communication device. Monitoring the mobile communication device may be done to determine compliance with the smart contracts and whether a penalty or reward on device usage should be applied.

An example communications system for providing communication services between communications devices may employ multiple usage rates for metered communication services. A method for adjusting usage amounts to account for multiple usage rates may include determining a usage adjustment factor for a communications event; determining a metered usage amount for the communications event; and determining an adjusted usage amount based on the usage adjustment factor and the metered usage amount for the communications amount. Thus, a billing system in the communications system may determine an invoice amount based on the adjusted usage amount and a predetermined bill rate.