There is provided an apparatus, method and computer program for an apparatus for a first policy control function, that causes to apparatus to: receive, from a session management function, a request for a policy to be established for a session for a subscriber, wherein the subscriber is subscribed in a second domain and the first policy control function is configured to operate in a first domain; determine a policy for the requested session, the determined policy comprising an indication of an allowed usage for the subscriber and at least one trigger condition for the policy to be updated; signal the at least one trigger condition to the session management function; and monitor the allowed usage for the subscriber by updating the policy in response to receipt of an indication that the at least one trigger condition has been met.

Example charging methods and apparatus are described. One example method includes sending a service resource create request to a charging system by a charging trigger apparatus. The charging trigger apparatus receives a service resource create response sent by the charging system. The service resource create request is used to request the charging system to create a service resource corresponding to a service in a session. The session is used to provide a data connection service to user equipment. The service resource is used to manage requesting for a quota for the service in the session and/or manage reporting of usage information of the service in the session. The service resource create response includes a first resource identifier, and the first resource identifier is used to identify the service resource that corresponds to the service in the session and that is created by the charging system.

A network services provider delivers bandwidth services to users in relation to a dynamic limit based on an average user consumption, rather than a fixed amount per subscriber. An average user consumption is employed to compute a consumption limit from relative portions of a user community substantially exceed the average, typically defined as “heavy users.” Usage levels below the consumption limit have an increased availability up to the consumption limit. The consumption limit may vary from a total capacity of the service infrastructure, which changes, generally in an increasing manner, as additional resources are added to the network. The consumption limits may be defined over different service intervals, such as daily, weekly or monthly, and for different groups of users depending on network layout.

Techniques for distributed charging in digital telecommunications networks are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method that includes provisioning a data path that carries a plurality of network flows, receiving a shared usage quota associated with the plurality of network flows, and allocating the shared usage quota among the plurality of network flows. For each network flow among the plurality of network flows, the method includes providing the data path with data indicative of an amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow, configuring the data path to collect metering data associated with the network flow, and configuring the data path to enforce the shared usage quota based on the metering data associated with the network flow and the amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a time-based token based on a time duration specified for a meter. The time-based token indicates the time duration for the meter. The time-based token is further generated based on an identifier of the meter. The headend system transmits the time-based token to the meter via at least a mesh network. After receiving the time-based token, the meter validates the time-based token to determine that the time-based token is generated for the meter based on information related to the identifier of the meter. If the meter determines that the time-based token is valid, the meter connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration specified in the time-based token.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a global token based on a time duration specified for multiple meters that are in communication with the headend system through at least a mesh network in a normal condition. The global token is associated with the time duration and is applicable to the multiple meters. The headend system causes the global token to be broadcast via a broadcast network. After receiving the global token, the meter verifies the global token and determines the time duration associated with the global token. The meter further connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration associated with the global token.

Methods and apparatuses for data transmission. A method implemented at a first network function may comprise obtaining information related to network slice selection; and sending a reroute message to an access network node, wherein the reroute message including a container comprising at least one information element of the information related to network slicing selection.

As described herein, a system, method, and computer program are provided for dynamic switching between online and offline charging for a network session. In use, a network session is monitored. Additionally, during the network session, one or more characteristics of the network session are determined, based on the monitoring of the network session. Further, a dynamic selection is made between offline charging and online charging for the network session, based on the one or more characteristics of the network session.

A system for preserving charging event messages in a mobile telecommunications network when a charging server is unavailable includes a message broker comprising persistent storage. The system also includes a network element that generates a charging event message, attempts to send the charging event message to a charging server, and writes the charging event message to the message broker in response to determining that the attempt to send the charging event message to the charging server has failed. The system also includes a replay agent that subscribes to the message broker for notifications associated with the charging server, receives a notification from the message broker about the charging event message, reads the charging event message from the message broker, and causes the charging event message to be sent to the charging server when the charging server is available.

A first charging data record (CDR) generating node can receive charging server information and available CDR storage information from a second CDR generating node. The first CDR generating node can detect that the charging server is unavailable to receive CDRs from the first CDR generating node. The first CDR generating node can also determine that a CDR storage area corresponding to the first CDR generating node should not be used to store additional CDRs. The first CDR generating node can also select the second CDR generating node for storing the additional CDRs that are generated by the first CDR generating node. The second CDR generating node can be selected based at least in part on the charging server information and the available CDR storage information. The first CDR generating node can cause at least one CDR to be sent to the second CDR generating node.