Intricacies of Charging Telecom Services

If you can't bill it, don't launch it" is a basic principle with every operator before launching any service. Optimized billing systems are business critical for network operators, since they ensure that customers are billed for the services they use. Analysts believe that the key to success in next generation networks (IP core fixed+mobile) will not be single services or one killer application but an apt mix of value added services. In such markets the traditional charging and billing methods are no longer sufficient and have to be adapted to the new needs. This paper will focus on complexities in charging use cases and provide insights on topics related to: a. network services (voice, bearer, SMS, streaming), b. basic IN services (number translation, VPN), c. session & event related (location based, presence based), d. IP charging in the new IMS scenario, e. contracts (prepaid, post paid, hybrid), f. payment scenarios (micro, macro)