A method performed by an application function, AF, for a communication network, wherein the AF has been informed, in a first notification, about an out-of-credit event associated with a user of a service provided by the AF, the method comprising sending subscription request, to a network function, NF, for requesting notifications about reallocation-of-credit events associated with one or more users of a service provided by the AF; receiving, from the NF, a second notification of a reallocation-of-credit event associated with the user of the service provided by the AF for which the AF has been informed about the out-of-credit event, such that the AF can perform one or more second actions with respect to the service.

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.

The present invention provides a method for providing sponsored communication services in a telecommunication network to loan non-eligible subscribers comprising: receiving, by a proxy device, a communication request originating from an initiating party and forwarding the communication request to a loan granting system; receiving, by the proxy device, a signal indicative of loan refusal (because the subscriber is a loan non-eligible subscriber) from the loan granting system; informing the initiating party, by the proxy device, terms of sponsorship and seeking approval from the initiating party; receiving, by the proxy device, a signal indicative of approval by the initiating party; and sending, by the proxy device, routing information to a routing device for storing in respect of the initiating party, the routing device acting upon the routing information while providing a communication service.

The disclosure provides a system and method for metering on a prepaid wireless access point the amount of data transferred between a wireless device and the Internet and inhibiting further data transmission when the amount of prepaid data available reaches or drops below a pre-determined threshold. Specifically, the wireless access point includes a metering client to track one of data usage or an amount of prepaid data available. When the metering client indicates that the amount of data available has dropped below a pre-determined threshold, the wireless access point inhibits further data transmission.

In one aspect of the teachings herein, an Application Function (AF) in a wireless communication network is configured to support online charging for the consumption of content that has been pre-fetched to a wireless device via the network. The AF functionality thus provides a mechanism by which content may be pre-fetched to a wireless device in advance of charging for that content, while reliably conditioning the later consumption of that content at the wireless device on the online charging decisions made by an online charging system. In another aspect, a wireless device is configured to send a consumption request for pre-fetched content towards such an AF and condition its consumption of the pre-fetched content on the consumption response returned to it.

Methods, a policy node and a charging node for enabling spending limit control for a user equipment in a telecommunication network. The policy node obtains an identifier related to the user equipment, an identifier of a policy counter and a set of policy counter statuses to be monitored by the policy node. The set of policy counter statuses are related to the identifier of the policy counter. The policy node sends, a request for reporting of policy counter statuses related to the user equipment for the policy counter. The request includes the identifier related to the user equipment, the identifier of the policy counter and the set of policy counter statuses. A policy counter status of the set of policy counter statuses is determined. The policy counter status has changed as determined by the charging node. A response to the request is sent and includes the policy counter status that has changed.

Computer-implemented method for online charging telecommunication services in real time, comprising: (i) running a money-to-time algorithm, computing a time balance based on charging parameters and a wallet balance; (ii) if greater than zero, creating a charging data record, CDR, and writing a start timestamp therein, setting a terminate session timer based on the time balance, and confirming the communication session; (iii) if not greater than zero, or upon expiration of the terminate session timer, instructing to terminate the communication session, wherein upon expiration of the terminate session timer an end timestamp is written in the CDR. Online charging system, OCS, implementing the method.

A method, device and computer readable medium for service chain is provided. Dynamic service chain is achieved and the service chain request is transmitted from the application. The device determines the service chain based on a profile of the application. Further, implicit service chain subscribing is also achieved. Thus, a more flexible service chain is achieved. Further, management of service chain related to NF service is also achieved.

A system for multiple network usage tracking, the system having a policy management platform having one or more processors able to receive and to calculate account usage data associated with an account profile, the policy management platform arranged externally from a network of at least one wireless carrier.

Asynchronous and/or synchronous zero charge telephony protocol systems and methods may include an asynchronous signaling switch and/or a call duration time quota from a synchronous charging onset to place and complete a call. A first device call request is received with a second device mobile address. The asynchronous systems include instructions to automatically modify the mobile address with a routing prefix when the first device has insufficient balance or independent of balance, route to the asynchronous signaling switch based on an associated modified address trunk path, revert the modified call signal at the asynchronous signaling switch to the call signal, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call immediately when the call is completed. The synchronous systems include instructions to automatically set the call duration time quota upon insufficient balance, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call from the second user mobile device when the call is completed and the call duration time quota is exceeded.