Systems and methods for improving efficiency in a mobile communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method for conserving network resources comprises releasing network resources related to a User Equipment (“UE”) session at one or more network nodes without notifying the UE. A subset of the session information that can be used to connect with the UE is stored at a network node. If data is received for the UE, the stored subset of information can be used to 1) establish network resources related to the UE that were previously released and 2) deliver the data to the UE. In another embodiment, shared data resources are granted to one or more subscribers associated with a Designated User Group (“DUG”). An online charging session is assigned to the DUG that identifies policy data for granting shared data resources to the Designated User Group.

A first network device may receive a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment or modification request, and may perform one or more actions based on the PDU session establishment or modification request. The first network device may receive, based on performing the one or more actions, a first message indicating that the PDU session is authenticated and authorized, and may select a second network device associated with establishing or modifying a management policy for the PDU session. The first network device may receive, from the second network device, a second message indicating whether to wait for receipt of a charging data response, to a charging data request, before interacting with a third network device, and may provide the charging data request to a fourth network device while interacting with the third network device when the second message indicates not to wait for receipt of the charging data response.

Computer-implemented method for online charging telecommunication services in real time, comprising: (i) running a money-to-time algorithm, computing a time balance based on charging parameters and a wallet balance; (ii) if greater than zero, creating a charging data record, CDR, and writing a start timestamp therein, setting a terminate session timer based on the time balance, and confirming the communication session; (iii) if not greater than zero, or upon expiration of the terminate session timer, instructing to terminate the communication session, wherein upon expiration of the terminate session timer an end timestamp is written in the CDR. Online charging system, OCS, implementing the method.

A charging trigger function (CTF 40) in a communication network (30) advantageously uses pre-allocated usage units to authorize the use of a communication service by a user, when a pre-allocated usage unit is available with respect to the involved communication service and user. A pre-allocation function (PAF 42) provides the one or more pre-allocated usage units directly to the CTF (40) or indirectly via an online charging function (OCF 44). The pre-allocated usage units are determined, for example, according to predicted usage information, user account information, and configured rules. A usage prediction function (UPF 52) in the network (30) uses user-related information, such as historical usage data or other activity by the user, to generate the predicted usage information. Among its other advantages, authorizing the use of the communication service based on pre-allocated usage units obviates or reduces the need for usage authorization signaling going between the CTF and OCF.

Systems, methods, and software for performing online charging in next generation networks. In one embodiment, a Session Management Function (SMF) of a next generation network implements a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) that directly interfaces with an Online Charging System (OCS). The CTF transmits a charging request to the OCS requesting a quota of service units for the SMF, and receives a charging response from the OCS indicating the quota of service units granted to the SMF by the OCS. The CTF then manages the quota by allocating slices of the quota to User Plane Functions (UPF) implemented in a user plane of the next generation network.

The disclosed embodiments include a method for offline charging performed by an anchoring node of a telecommunications network. The anchoring node can send a request to an online charging system (OCS), where the request is for online metering of a call by a subscriber of the telecommunications network. The anchoring node may obtain an indication of an exception to the online metering of the call. In response, the anchoring node can perform a default call handling (DCH) procedure to allow the call on the telecommunications network despite an inability to perform the online metering. The anchoring node also generates a modified charging detail record (CDR) that includes an indication of the exception. The anchoring node can then send a message, which includes at least an indication of the modified CDR, to enable a mediation server to perform offline charging for the call.

Systems, methods, and software for performing online charging in next generation networks. In one embodiment, a Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) server is implemented at a Radio Access Network (RAN) of a next generation network. The MEC server hosts a plurality of edge applications provisioned to provide MEC services for a session. The MEC server communicates with a Session Management Function (SMF) of the next generation network to acquire a quota of service units for the session. The MEC server then manages the quota by allocating slices of the quota to the edge applications, and transmitting messages to the edge applications indicating the slices allocated to the edge applications.

A node (30) of a charging system (28) associated with a communication network (10) considers subscriber-designated priorities in a circumstance that involves two or more communication services “competing” for the same pool of credit that is used in online charging for consumption of the two or more communication services. As an example, subscriber information (34) associated with a user device (12) includes input from the involved subscriber that designates a certain communication service as a prioritized communication service. Ina case where granting quotas of service units for authorizing service consumption and making corresponding credit reservations involves competition between a subscriber-prioritized service and another service not prioritized by the subscriber, the node (30) adapts its granting operations to give preference to the subscriber-prioritized service.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

A Machine Type Communication Inter Working Function (MTC-IWF) entity (1) is configured to, in response to receiving from a Service Capability Server (SCS) a first request for quality of service to be applied to a specific communication of an MTC device, send to a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) entity a second request for applying the quality of service to the specific communication. It is thus possible, for example, to facilitate controlling quality of service of a specific communication in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) in response to a request by the SCS for the quality of service.