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EP-4740505-A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARGING A USER IN A TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK

EP4740505A1EP 4740505 A1EP4740505 A1EP 4740505A1EP-4740505-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method of charging a user in a network (106) by one or more processors (202) The method includes identifying a GT value from a network identifier by using a map upon extracting the identifier from a header of a SIP. The map stores a plurality of network identifiers of a plurality of permitted networks and a plurality of GT values. Each network identifier is associated with a unique GT value. Each network identifier is associated to a permitted network of the plurality of permitted network. Further, the method includes identifying the address of a home network of the UE from the GT value. Further, the method includes adding the GT value in the address of the home network. The GT value is used by an OCS (220) to charge the user for using the network.

Inventors

  • BHATNAGAR, AAYUSH
  • SHARMA, Smridhi
  • MISHRA, SOMYA
  • SINHA, ANURAG
  • Hingu, Ketan
  • Kadam, Pradnya
  • Deb, Joy
  • AGRAWAL, VIKASH
  • YADAV, DINESH
  • ELANGOVAN, Elanchezhiyan
  • ALAVOJU, Vamshi Krishna

Assignees

  • Jio Platforms Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240704

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A method of charging a user in a network (106), the method comprising the steps of: receiving, by one or more processors (202), a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message from a user equipment (UE) associated with the user, extracting, by the one or more processors (202), a network identifier from a header of the SIP message, wherein the network identifier is associated to a network (106) from which the UE sent the SIP message; identifying, by the one or more processors (202), a global title (GT) value from the network identifier by using a map, wherein the map stores a plurality of network identifiers of a plurality of permitted networks and a plurality of GT values, wherein each network identifier of the plurality of network identifiers is associated with a unique GT value, and wherein each network identifier is associated to a permitted network of the plurality of permitted network; identifying, by the one or more processors (202), the address of a home network (106a) of the UE from the GT value; and adding, by the one or more processors (202), the GT value in the address of the home network (106a), wherein the GT value is used by an online charging system (OCS) (220) to charge the user for using the network (106).
  2. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network (106) from which the UE sends the SIP message is one of the plurality of permitted networks that the user visits, and wherein the permitted network is one of a partner network (106b) and the home network (106a).
  3. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mapping of each network identifier to the unique GT value enables differentiating the user as a local user and a roaming user, wherein the user is considered as the local user in the home network (106a) and is considered as a roaming user in a partner network (106b), and wherein the local user is a subscriber of the home network (106a).
  4. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the user is considered a roaming user when the GT value indicates the permitted network from which the UE sent the SIP message is different from the home network (106a) of the user, and wherein the user is considered as a local user when the GT value indicates the permitted network from which the UE sent the SIP message is the home network (106a) of the user.
  5. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charge applicable for using the network is higher for a roaming user than a local user.
  6. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a subscriber module (222) is configured to retrieve information related to service usage, charging policies, and profiles of a plurality of users from one or more of a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) (424), a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), and Service Delivery Platforms (SDPs).
  7. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the global title (GT) is one of: an alphanumeric code and an unique identifier assigned to a network element, and wherein the unique identifier provides information related to a location and function of the network element.
  8. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the unique identifier is a global title (GT) assigned to the network element, and wherein the network element is one of a service switching point (SSP), a service control point (SCPs), and short message service centres (SMSCs).
  9. 9. A system (108) for charging a user of a network (106), the system (108) comprising: a gateway node (216) configured to: store a map of a plurality of network identifiers of a plurality of permitted networks, and a plurality of global title (GT) values, wherein each network identifier of the plurality of network identifiers is associated with a unique GT value, and wherein each network identifier is associated to a permitted network of the plurality of permitted networks; and receive a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message from a user equipment (UE) associated with the user; and an extraction module (218) configured to: extract the network identifier from a header of the SIP message, wherein the network identifier is associated to the permitted network from which the UE sent the SIP message; identify a GT value from the network identifier by using the map; identify an address of a home network (106a) of the UE from the GT value; and add the GT value in the address of the home network (106a), wherein the GT value is used by an online charging system (OCS) (220) to charge the user for using the network (106).
  10. 10. The system (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the UE sends the SIP message to the gateway node (216) from one of the plurality of permitted networks that the user visits, and wherein the permitted network is one of a partner network (106b) and the home network (106a).
  11. 11. The system (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mapping of each network identifier from the unique GT value enables differentiating the user as a local user and a roaming user, wherein the user is considered as a local user in the home network (106a) and is considered as a roaming user in a partner network (106b), and wherein the local user is a subscriber of the home network (106a).
  12. 12. The system (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user is considered as a roaming user when the GT value indicates the permitted network from which the UE sent the SIP message is different from the home network (106a) of the user, and wherein the user is considered as the local user when the GT value indicates the permitted network from which the UE sent the SIP message is the home network (106a) of the user.
  13. 13. The system (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the charge applicable for using the network is higher for the roaming user than the local user.
  14. 14. A User Equipment (UE) (102-1), comprising: one or more primary processors (305) communicatively coupled to one or more processors (202) of a system (108), the one or more primary processors (305) coupled with a memory (310), wherein said memory (310) stores instructions which when executed by the one or more primary processors (305) causes the UE (102-1) to: transmit a SIP message to the one or more processors (202); wherein the one or more processors (202) is configured to perform the steps as claimed in claim 1.
  15. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer- readable instructions that, when executed by a processor (202), cause the processor (202) to: receive a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message from a user equipment (UE) associated with the user; extract a network identifier from a header of the SIP message, wherein the network identifier is associated to a network from which the UE sent the SIP message; identify a global title (GT) value from the network identifier by using a map, wherein the map stores a plurality of network identifiers of a plurality of permitted networks, and a plurality of GT values, wherein each network identifier of the plurality of network identifiers is associated with a unique GT value, and wherein each network identifier is associated to a permitted network; identify the address of a home network of the UE from the GT value; and add the GT value in the address of the home network, wherein the GT value is used by an online charging system (OCS) to charge the user for using the network (106).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARGING A USER IN A TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention pertains to the field of telecommunications, specifically addressing the challenges associated with charging out roamer users for Short Message Service (SMS) in an online environment. The invention relates to resolving the problem of accurately determining the charging parameters for the out roamer users based on their location and global title (GT) information. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the telecommunications industry, out roamer users are individuals who maintain connectivity with their home network while traveling abroad. This seamless connectivity ensures uninterrupted access to selected services and enables accurate billing for the services utilized. In the case of out roamer users connected to second generation (2G)/third generation (3G) networks, their messages are transmitted through a Signaling System number 7 (SS7) interface, including the GT information of a sender's Short Message Service Centers (SMSCs). [0003] The Global Title (GT) information plays a vital role in an Online Charging System (OCS), as it helps determine whether the out roamer user is in their home network or roaming in another network. This information is crucial for applying the appropriate charging policies and ensuring accurate billing. [0004] In telecommunications, a Global Title (GT) refers to a unique identifier assigned to network elements such as Service Switching Points (SSPs), Service Control Points (SCPs), Short Message Service Centers (SMSCs), and other network entities. The GT acts as an address that helps identify and route messages within a telecommunication network. It typically consists of digits or alphanumeric characters and provides information about the network entity's location or function. [0005] The GT plays a crucial role in various signaling protocols, including the SS7 interface, which is widely used for signaling and control in telecommunications network. When the out roamer user sends a message through the SS7 interface, the GT of the sender's SMSC is included in the message. This GT information is utilized by the network elements, particularly the OCS, to determine whether the user is in their home network or roaming in another network. [0006] The OCS is a component within a telecommunications network that is responsible for real-time charging and billing of various services. It performs the critical function of monitoring, controlling, and applying charging policies based on the usage of network resources and services by subscribers. The OCS ensures that users are accurately billed for the services they consume, enabling revenue generation for service providers. [0007] The OCS interacts with various network elements, such as the Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), and Service Delivery Platforms (SDPs), to gather information about service usage, charging policies, and subscriber profiles. It applies the appropriate charging mechanisms, tariff plans, and rating schemes to calculate the charges incurred by users in real-time [0008] For the out roamer users, the OCS relies on the GT information received through signaling interfaces (such as SS7 or SIP) to determine the user's location and apply the relevant charging rules. However, in the case of the out roamer users connected to 4G networks through the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface, the GT information may not be available. This poses a challenge for the OCS to accurately charge the out roamer users without the necessary GT data. [0009] However, a significant challenge arises when the out roamer users are connected to the 4G or 5G network in a foreign country. The out roamer users are individuals who maintain connectivity with their home network while traveling abroad. This seamless connectivity ensures uninterrupted access to selected services and enables accurate billing for the services utilized. In the case of the out roamer users connected to the 2G/3G networks, their messages are transmitted through the SS7 interface, including the GT information of the sender's SMSC. In such cases, messages are received through the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface, but no GT information is provided. [0010] The absence of the GT information in the 4G or 5G network scenarios creates difficulties for the OCS to accurately charge the out roamer users based on their location. Consequently, there is a need for an innovative solution that can address this limitation and enable accurate charging for the out roamer users connected to the 4G or 5G networks. Therefore, there is a need to overcome the challenges posed by the lack of GT information for the out roamer users connected to the 4G networks. [0011] In conclusion, a circle-wise GT mapping for charging out roamer users addresses the critical need for accurate charging of the out roamer users connected to the 4G or 5G net