Embodiments of this application provide a charging session method and an apparatus. A control plane function entity determines to request a charging function (CHF) entity to establish a service-based interface (SBI) charging session for a 4G data connection. The control plane function entity requests, through the SBI charging session, to perform online charging and/or offline charging in the 4G data connection. According to the method, the SBI charging session that is requested by the control plane function entity to establish for the 4G data connection may support performing the online charging in the 4G data connection, and support performing the offline charging in the 4G data connection. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments simplify a procedure of charging online data and offline data in the 4G data connection by using different charging sessions.

A method may include receiving, by a charging function (CHF) from a policy control function (PCF), a first request for charging policy information for a packet data unit (PDU) session of a wireless device. The method may also include sending, by the CHF to the PCF, a message comprising the charging policy information. The charging policy information may indicate a charging method that includes: online charging, offline charging, converged charging, or a combination thereof. The method may further include receiving, by the CHF from a session management function (SMF), a second request to establish a charging session, wherein the second request comprises the charging method. The method may additionally include sending, by the CHF to the SMF, a confirmation for the charging method.

Example charging methods and apparatus are described. One example method includes sending first request information to a charging system by a charging trigger apparatus. The charging trigger apparatus receives a first response information sent by the charging system. The first request information is used to request the charging system to create a resource for a session between a user equipment and a data network. The first response information comprises a first resource identifier that is used to identify the resource. The resource is used to manage: requesting for a quota for an online charging service in the session, or reporting of usage information of an online charging service in the session, or reporting of usage information of an offline charging service in the session.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging session method and an apparatus. A control plane function entity determines to request a charging function (CHF) entity to establish a service-based interface (SBI) charging session for a 4G data connection. The control plane function entity requests, through the SBI charging session, to perform online charging and/or offline charging in the 4G data connection. According to the method, the SBI charging session that is requested by the control plane function entity to establish for the 4G data connection may support performing the online charging in the 4G data connection, and support performing the offline charging in the 4G data connection. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments simplify a procedure of charging online data and offline data in the 4G data connection by using different charging sessions.

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 method, apparatus and system are provided. The charging method includes: receiving a first request message from a Network Function (NF), wherein the first request message carries following information: first Quality of Service (QoS) information; or second QoS information; or second QoS information and updated first QoS information; the first QoS information comprises requested QoS information or negotiated QoS information; and the second QoS information comprises QoS information actually used after the NF sends a previous first request message; and performing charging according to the QoS information carried in the first request message.

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.

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) message bundling. In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. In some embodiments, apparatus can be configured to: determine that more than one control protocol messages should be sent between a control plane entity and a user plane entity or said user plane entity and said control plane entity; determine the control plane entity and the user plane entity support sending and receiving a single datagram carrying more than one control protocol messages; extend a header of each control protocol message to indicate that the datagram is carrying more than one control protocol messages; combine one or more message types and respective message elements of the more than one control protocol messages into the single datagram; and cause sending said single datagram.

Systems and methods described herein include receiving, at a network device and from a session management device, a first message that includes a first identifier associated with a subscriber and a second identifier associated with a first service that is charged using an online charging system. The network device transmits a second message that indicates a first time period in which to report data usage associated with the first service and a second time period in which to report data usage associated with one or more second services that are charged using an offline charging system. The network device receives first data usage information associated with the first service after the first time period and second data usage information associated with the one or more second services after the second time period. The network device processes the data usage information.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging session method and an apparatus. A control plane function entity determines to request a charging function (CHF) entity to establish a service-based interface (SBI) charging session for a 4G data connection. The control plane function entity requests, through the SBI charging session, to perform online charging and/or offline charging in the 4G data connection. According to the method, the SBI charging session that is requested by the control plane function entity to establish for the 4G data connection may support performing the online charging in the 4G data connection, and support performing the offline charging in the 4G data connection. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments simplify a procedure of charging online data and offline data in the 4G data connection by using different charging sessions.