A system and method for automatically negotiating Internet access between a user and one of a plurality of Internet connection providers. Users can buy or bid for Internet bandwidth, for example, through a server or website or by direct communications with an Internet access point such as, for example, a WIFI access point.

A system, apparatus, and method for conducting payment transactions using a mobile device. Embodiments of the invention are directed to an architecture or system design for the functional elements residing in a mobile device that may be used to conduct a payment transaction. The inventive architecture may be implemented as a set of functional modules resident in a secure element that is embedded or otherwise incorporated into the mobile device.

A method for revenue assurance in a telephone network. The method comprises receiving a call request from a first user device on a network to a second user device, where the user device associated with a first user account has an account credit value insufficient to complete the requested call. A call timer duration is set to instantly expire on encountering a chargeable event. The call is continued toward the second user device. Upon encountering a chargeable event, the call is released. The chargeable event may be presenting a Ring Back Tone to the caller and confirming that the second device is ringing. The chargeable event may be detecting when the call has been answered.

This specification presents methods and apparatus in a user equipment, packet data gateway, online charging server and policy server for enabling a user equipment with a prepaid subscription to select an application to download and obtain its downloadable size and reserve charging credits and resources at the network prior to downloading the application in accordance with the downloadable size thus allowing the prepaid user to secure the successful entire download of the application without running the risk of depleting the prepaid account while downloading.

A system, apparatus, and method for conducting payment transactions using a mobile device. Embodiments of the invention are directed to an architecture or system design for the functional elements residing in a mobile device that may be used to conduct a payment transaction. The inventive architecture may be implemented as a set of functional modules resident in a secure element that is embedded or otherwise incorporated into the mobile device.

The disclosure provides a system and method for controlling on a wireless device the amount and speed of data transferred between a wireless device and the Internet, and a wireless device with a metering client that can throttle data speeds and types based on how much data a user has used. Specifically, the wireless device includes a metering client to track one of data usage or an amount of prepaid data available. When the metering client determines that the amount of data available has exceeded a pre-determined threshold, the wireless device inhibits further data transmission amounts and speeds.

The invention relates to a method performed by a network node of managing online charging, and a network node performing the method. In an aspect of the invention, a method performed by a network node of managing online charging of sponsored data connectivity is provided. The method comprises receiving (S101) a user request for service related to the sponsored data connectivity, estimating (S102) a number of users that are expected to use said service, and acquiring (S103), from an Online Charging System authorizing access to the sponsored data connectivity, authorisation for the estimated number of users that are expected to use said service. The method further comprises granting (S104) the user access to the requested service with quota received with the authorisation from said Online Charging System, said quota being valid for a specified time period, and further granting (S104b) any further user requesting (S101b) said service access to the requested service with quota received with the authorisation until total quota authorised by the Online Charging System for the estimated number of users has been apportioned.

A method for revenue assurance in a telephone network. The method comprises receiving a call request from a first user device on a network to a second user device, where the user device associated with a first user account has an account credit value insufficient to complete the requested call. A call timer duration is set to instantly expire on encountering a chargeable event. The call is continued toward the second user device. Upon encountering a chargeable event, the call is released. The chargeable event may be presenting a Ring Back Tone to the caller and confirming that the second device is ringing. The chargeable event may be detecting when the call has been answered.

In order for charging SDT and MTC device trigger over control plane, there is provided a network node (40) that relays messages over a control plane (T5 and Tsp) between an MTC device (10) and an SCS (50). The network node (40) counts the number of messages successfully relayed, and generates a CDR in accordance with the counted number. The messages are SDT messages delivered from the MTC device (10) to the SCS (50), SDT messages delivered from the SCS (50) to the MTC device (10), or MTC device trigger messages delivered from the SCS (50) to the MTC device (10). The network node (40) transfers the CDR to an OCF (31) or a CDF (32).

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