Charging method, network device, and charging system

Abstract

Disclosed are a charging method, a network device and a system, for use in recovering an online charging function in time when an OCS is faulty, thereby reducing risks of user account overdraft, and improving user experience. The method in an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a PCEF entity performs online charging on a UE; when it is known that an online charging system (OCS) is unavailable, the PCEF entity switches the UE from online charging to offline charging, and starts an offline timer; and if the PCEF entity knows, before the offline timer times out, that the OCS is recovered to be available, the PCEF entity switches the UE from the offline charging to the online charging. In the solution, after users are switched to offline charging, an online charging function is recovered in time when an OCS is available, thereby reducing possible risks of user account overdraft during an offline charging process; and the solution can avoid deactivating users, thereby improving user experience.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of mobile communication, in particular to a charging method, network equipment and a charging system. Background technique [0002] In the telecommunications network described by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP, 3rd Generation Partnership Project), the billing system is one of its important functional components, and is an important guarantee for operators to realize revenue. [0003] In the 3GPP agreement, it is defined that when the online charging system is unavailable, the user can switch to offline charging, so as to ensure that the service can continue to be used, improve user experience, and avoid losses to operators. In order to avoid account overdraft caused by long-term use of services by offline users, the duration of offline switching is generally set by maintaining a timer. After the timeout, the user will be deactivated. When the user goes online again, if the OCS has been restored, the onl...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] In the existing technology, there is no automatic recovery mechanism for online billing after the user turns offline and the process of deactivating the user, which will lead to untimely recovery of online billing and increase the probability of account overdraft caused by the user going offline and continuing to use the business. Some cannot be recovered and will cause losses to the operator

And after the hold timer expires, the user will be deactivated, and the service will be interrupted during the user's reactivation process, which will affect the user experience

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