Systems and computing devices may be configured to intelligently and dynamically allocate quotas for the access and use of a telecommunications network by consumers that use a shared balance account. The dynamic allocation of quotas may include computing a total reclaimable quota size value in response to determining that quota may not be allocated to a first consumer from the shared account balance without exceeding a balance threshold, reclaiming all or portions of currently active allocated quotas from a other consumers that use the shared balance account in response to determining that the total reclaimable quota size value is greater than or equal to the minimum quota allocation size, updating the shared account balance to include the reclaimed portions, and allocating quota to the first consumer from the updated shared balance account.

Systems and computing devices may be configured to intelligently and dynamically allocate quotas for the access and use of a telecommunications network by consumers that use a shared account balance. A server computing device may be configured to intelligently allocate quota by determining an allocation time interval for allocating quota from a shared account balance, receiving a quota request message from a metering and gating component that includes information requesting allocation of a first quota to a first consumer associated with a shared account balance, determining a validity period for the first quota based on the determined allocation time interval, and allocating the first quota to the first consumer from the updated shared account balance so as to eliminate or reduce conflicts and discrepancies between different instances of the shared account balance.

Systems and computing devices may be configured to intelligently and dynamically allocate quotas for the access and use of a telecommunications network by consumers that use a shared account balance. A server computing device may be configured to intelligently allocate quota by determining an allocation time interval for allocating quota from a shared account balance, receiving a quota request message from a metering and gating component that includes information requesting allocation of a first quota to a first consumer associated with a shared account balance, determining a validity period for the first quota based on the determined allocation time interval, and allocating the first quota to the first consumer from the updated shared account balance so as to eliminate or reduce conflicts and discrepancies between different instances of the shared account balance.

A policy and charging rules function (PCRF) device includes a memory storage comprising instructions, at least one network interface, and at least one processor coupled to the memory and to the at least one network interface. The instructions are executed by the at least one processor to receive a policy request of a first user sent by a gateway device; determine, according to the policy request, that the first user needs to use a counter of a second user; acquire a current status of the counter of the second user using a session of the second user established between the PCRF device and a charging system; and generate a control policy of the first user according to the current status of the counter of the second user and send the control policy to the gateway device.

A policy and charging rules function (PCRF) device includes a memory storage comprising instructions, at least one network interface, and at least one processor coupled to the memory and to the at least one network interface. The instructions are executed by the at least one processor to receive a policy request of a first user sent by a gateway device; determine, according to the policy request, that the first user needs to use a counter of a second user; acquire a current status of the counter of the second user using a session of the second user established between the PCRF device and a charging system; and generate a control policy of the first user according to the current status of the counter of the second user and send the control policy to the gateway device.

One embodiment relates to a method for sharing consumption of an electronic communication service by a mobile terminal, a session for consuming the service being established initially between the terminal and a gateway between the mobile network and a packet-switched network, remaining credit for consuming the service being attributed initially to the terminal. The terminal periodically requests authorisation to consume a predetermined quota of the remaining credit. A request to track the credit of the terminal is received and a message, intended for launching a credit request for the terminal is transmitted to the gateway. A credit request message for the terminal including information relating to a portion of the predetermined quota consumed by the terminal is received from the gateway. The remaining credit is updated accordingly. A response to track the credit of the terminal for the service, including the updated value of the remaining credit is transmitted.

A policy decision method is provided, including receiving, by a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) device, a first user policy request for a first user sent by a gateway device, determining, by the PCRF device, that the first user and a second user share a usage quota, and the second user is an owner user of the usage quota, acquiring, by the PCRF device, a current second user counter status of a second user counter of the second user, and generating, by the PCRF device, a first user control policy according to the current second user counter status and sending the first user control policy to the gateway device. The present invention can implement sharing of accumulated data among users, reduces processing pressure of the charging system, and decreases a performance loss of the charging system.

A policy decision method is provided, including receiving, by a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) device, a first user policy request for a first user sent by a gateway device, determining, by the PCRF device, that the first user and a second user share a usage quota, and the second user is an owner user of the usage quota, acquiring, by the PCRF device, a current second user counter status of a second user counter of the second user, and generating, by the PCRF device, a first user control policy according to the current second user counter status and sending the first user control policy to the gateway device. The present invention can implement sharing of accumulated data among users, reduces processing pressure of the charging system, and decreases a performance loss of the charging system.

The present disclosure relates to a method for managing a charging operation in a communication network. The present disclosure also relates to a controller and to a computer program and a computer program product configured, when run on a computer to carry out a method for managing a charging operation in a communication network. Examples provide a method of managing a charging operation in a communications network, the method including: determining a low balance condition of a user of the network during a network service provided to the user by the network; determining a prioritized provider and transferring a credit to the user from the prioritized provider to the user in order to continue the network service; wherein the prioritized provider is determined from a plurality of providers based on respective connectivity parameters between the user and each provider and a respective credit parameter of each provider.