Methods and apparatus of improving telecommunication network efficiency by increasing user device registration with and use of the network are disclosed. Improved user device registration and use, and thus increased efficiency may be achieved by allocating revenue generated by operation of a telecommunication network between user devices, a network operator device, and a third party device. The allocation of revenue may be based, at least in part, on a hierarchical relationship between user devices registered with the network and information concerning the use of the telecommunication network by the user devices.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to calculate allocations of a profit from a service to a plurality of entities involved in provision of the service by referring to involvement information stored in a memory, the involvement information indicating involvement of each of the plurality of entities in the provision of the service, and output the calculated allocations.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.

A method (20) of enabling improved efficiency in a first communications network (10A) based on relation metrics on a relation between a first operator (A) of the first communications network (10A) and a second operator (B) of a second communications network (10A, 10B). The method (20) is performed in a network entity (7) and comprises: obtaining (21) data relating to users having a subscription with the first operator (A) and data relating to users having a subscription with the second operator (B); determining (22), based on the obtained data relating to users, a first metric IAB giving number of users roaming to the first operator (A) from the second operator (B) and a second metric OAB giving number of users roaming from the first operator (A) to the second operator (B); and providing (23) the first and second metrics IAB, OAB as relation metrics to a network device (9A) of the first communications network (10A) for use in improving efficiency in the first communications network (10A). A method (50) in a network device (9A) is also provided, and a network entity, a network device, computer programs and computer program products.

A method (20) of enabling improved efficiency in a first communications network (10A) based on relation metrics on a relation between a first operator (A) of the first communications network (10A) and a second operator (B) of a second communications network (10A, 10B). The method (20) is performed in a network entity (7) and comprises: obtaining (21) data relating to users having a subscription with the first operator (A) and data relating to users having a subscription with the second operator (B); determining (22), based on the obtained data relating to users, a first metric IAB giving number of users roaming to the first operator (A) from the second operator (B) and a second metric OAB giving number of users roaming from the first operator (A) to the second operator (B); and providing (23) the first and second metrics IAB, OAB as relation metrics to a network device (9A) of the first communications network (10A) for use in improving efficiency in the first communications network (10A). A method (50) in a network device (9A) is also provided, and a network entity, a network device, computer programs and computer program products.