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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems, devices, and methods for charging architectures in cellular networks. Various embodiments may include an eNB collecting information about licensed and unlicensed spectrum resource usage on a per bearer basis and transmitting the information to a core network node. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.

A method is disclosed of managing the reporting of the presence of a communications terminal in a communication network including a control rules application entity able to implement a presence reporting mechanism and a credits management entity configured to transmit a request for subscription to the presence reporting mechanism to the control rules application entity. The method includes verifying, during the establishment of a communication session between the terminal and a packet communication network, involving a control entity providing control rules to the control rules application entity, that the control entity is configured to trigger a subscription to the presence reporting mechanism with the control rules application entity. When the control entity is configured to trigger a subscription to the presence reporting mechanism, an indicator of intervention of the presence reporting mechanism is dispatched to the credits management entity, to inhibit a subscription to the mechanism by the credits management entity.

A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) can be aware of whether a UE connects through a cellular or WIFI connection through a gateway. Management messages can be modified to allow the PCEF volume based online charging functionality to remain in the core network (i.e. in the P-GW/PCEF). Session management messaging between the ISWN (ISW-GW) and the core network (P-GW/PCEF) may be modified so that the core network may be notified when the ISWN moves a bearer, or flow, from one RAT to another. Alternately, PCEF volume based online charging functionality can be added to the ISWN. The PCEF of the ISWN can be tasked with performing volume based online charging while the UE is in the ISWN.

A method and apparatus are provided in which network traffic is separated based on application, query, or other criteria. A first application is stored in a first control group in a resource isolation environment, the first control group being associated with a first policy. A second application is stored in a second control group in the resource isolation environment, the second control group being associated with a second policy. Upon receiving a request for content through one of the first application and the second application, it is determined which control group is associated with the request. Traffic is managed in connection with the request according to the policy associated with the determined control group.

The present system relates to a server providing data connectivity to an electronic device. The server includes a memory storing data connectivity policy information for the electronic device. The policy information defines a data traffic threshold marking a change in data traffic billing for data traffic the electronic device may exchange with service provider(s) over a telecommunication network. The server has a receiver, which monitors data traffic from instances of applications installed on the electronic device, and has a usage monitor, which maintains a first quantity indicative of the monitored data traffic. A data connectivity policy manager detects that the first quantity exceeds the data traffic threshold of the data connectivity policy, determines a first application requesting such traffic, retrieves a second application linked to the first application, the second application having data traffic billing specific to the second application, and presents the second application to the electronic device.

Apparatus and methods that offload charging from an Online Charging System (OCS). The OCS includes an offload controller that receives a online charging request from a policy enforcement element for a service, determines whether charging for the service is eligible to be offloaded from the OCS to an Offline Charging System (OFCS), and pushes a charging rule to the policy enforcement element to switch a charging mode for the service to offline charging. An online charging function within the OCS receives another online charging request for the service from the OFCS that reports a charging event detected by the policy enforcement element, and debits an account of an end user based on the online charging request from the OFCS.

Embodiments of the present application provide a charging method, a charging device, a charging system, and an authentication device. According to the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, when the available service volume of the user is not enough at the time close to the tariff switch point, the operation of forcing a user to go offline may be performed selectively, depending on the specific situation. Therefore, the operation of forcing a user to go offline can meet requirements of increasingly complicated charging policies of the operator.

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and/or computer-readable media for providing device management via application modification may be provided. In some embodiments, a request to perform an action may be received. Upon determining that the action is associated with a metered resource, a further determination may be made as to whether the request complies with at least one management policy. In response to determining that the request complies with the at least one management policy, the requested action may be authorized and/or caused to be performed.

A method of adapting quotas for a shared resource in a network includes: retrieving, at a charging server, a usage level and a time period for each of a plurality of communication sessions associated with the shared resource, the communication sessions corresponding to respective client devices connected to the network; determining, at the charging server, whether the shared resource can support each of the communication sessions for the corresponding retrieved usage level and time period; when the determination is negative, determining a common reduced time period for each of the communication sessions at the charging server; and at the charging server, when the reduced time period exceeds a predefined threshold, allocating quotas to each of the communication sessions from the shared resource based on the usage levels and the reduced time period.