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 system, method and computer program product for securing user information, including processing circuitry that receives an encrypted first request from a first party and that includes a unique identifier associated with an account of a user, sends, based on the encrypted first request, an encrypted authorization request to an operator servicing the account of the user, and receives, in response to the encrypted authorization request, an authorization from the operator based on a result of an authorization message exchange for authorizing or not authorizing the request sent by the operator to a device associated with the user over a network controlled by the operator. No pecuniary information of the user nor the personal identification number of the user is received by the processing circuitry thereby shielding the pecuniary information of the user from the first party.

A system, method and computer program product for securing user information, including processing circuitry that receives an encrypted first request from a first party and that includes a unique identifier associated with an account of a user, sends, based on the encrypted first request, an encrypted authorization request to an operator servicing the account of the user, and receives, in response to the encrypted authorization request, an authorization from the operator based on a result of an authorization message exchange for authorizing or not authorizing the request sent by the operator to a device associated with the user over a network controlled by the operator. No pecuniary information of the user nor the personal identification number of the user is received by the processing circuitry thereby shielding the pecuniary information of the user from the first party.

Methods and systems for an online charging system to grant resources to a session with a terminal device when the session includes a large file or the session has a long duration. Embodiments the invention include methods performed by an electronic device for online charging in a wireless network. In one embodiment, the electronic device receives a request message for resources to set up a session with a terminal device, where the request message is sent from a core network interface to an online charging function (OCF), and where the request message indicates that the session includes a large file or that the session has a long duration. The electronic device determines that the terminal device has enough credit for the session based on the request message and grants the resources for the session with the terminal device based on the determination.

Systems and methods are described herein for recharging prepaid accounts within a telecommunications provider, such as a network carrier, using information provided by postpaid account subscribers. For example, the systems and methods facilitate the receipt of instructions from mobile devices associated with postpaid accounts. Upon receipt of the messages, the systems and methods (such as systems within a charging system of the network carrier or provider) identify intended or recipient mobile devices associated with prepaid accounts. Once identified, the systems and methods recharge the prepaid accounts, based on the instructions received from the postpaid account mobile devices.

A method for monitoring operation of a network service for the purpose of licensing control in a virtual network environment managed by a Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration, NFV-MANO, system, is disclosed. The method comprises: defining (202) the network service in a Network Service Descriptor and deploying the network service using at least one Virtual Network Function instance identified in said Network Service Descriptor by instantiating (204) at least one Virtual Network Function Component defined by a Virtualisation Deployment Unit, wherein said Virtualisation Deployment Unit is associated with said Virtual Network Function. The method also comprises recording (206) in a first information field associated with the Network Service Descriptor information indicative of usage of the at least one instantiated Virtual Network Function Component and maintaining (208) a licensing database for storing information indicative of usage of the at least one instantiated Virtual Network Function Component based on records in the first information field.

A Computer Network Service Providing System including Self Adjusting Volume enforcement functionality and methods for diminishing or minimizing volume leakage.

A method for enabling a charging of packet switched data transfer between an authorized customer and a network. The method includes transferring a total data volume via at least a first data path and a second data path between an equipment related to the authorized customer and a hybrid access aggregation point (HAAP) as an access to the network. Each of the at least a first data path and a second data bath use a different access technology for transferring its respective part of the total data volume. The total data volume is determined as a sum of the respective parts of the total data volume transferred in both the first path and the second path. The total data volume is used by a central charging unit for a charging.

The present disclosure provides a band usage information generating and reporting method, a charging method, an eNB, a CN, a MME and a UE. The eNB and the UE can generate band usage information for charging, and report the band usage information to the CN, wherein the band usage information involves band usage of at least a first band and a second band, and traffic is assigned to respective bands by the eNB. The Counting entity at the eNB or UE can count the data volume of each band or ratio of data volume via different bands as the band usage information based on the scheduling information of the data. The Charging system located in the CN can process the charging and generate a bill according to the reported band usage information.

A method for monitoring operation of a network service for the purpose of licensing control in a virtual network environment managed by a Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration, NFV-MANO, system, is disclosed. The method comprises: defining (202) the network service in a Network Service Descriptor and deploying the network service using at least one Virtual Network Function instance identified in said Network Service Descriptor by instantiating (204) at least one Virtual Network Function Component defined by a Virtualisation Deployment Unit, wherein said Virtualisation Deployment Unit is associated with said Virtual Network Function. The method also comprises recording (206) in a first information field associated with the Network Service Descriptor information indicative of usage of the at least one instantiated Virtual Network Function Component and maintaining (208) a licensing database for storing information indicative of usage of the at least one instantiated Virtual Network Function Component based on records in the first information field.