Reverse charging service

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating mobile communication between a calling party and a called party. Aspects of the present invention include establishing, via a service node, mobile communications upon receiving a response, from the called party, to a mobile communication request made by the calling party to the service node, and further include facilitating, via the service node, charging the called party for the established mobile communications.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 935,350 titled “Collect Call for GSM Networks Called Party Pays for Mobile Originated Calls” filed Aug. 8, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to mobile communication. More specifically, the invention relates to enabling mobile activities for a calling party without charging him for the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Mobile communication during roaming contributes a major percentage of a network operator's revenue and specifically, voice traffic and SMS traffic contributes even better percentage of the network operator's margin. With increasing competition and regulatory control, network operators look for solutions to enhance both local and roaming revenues.[0004]Mobile subscribers can be both prepaid and postpaid. Generally, prepaid subscribers are in majority since the prepaid se...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a method, system, and computer program product for facilitating mobile communication between a calling party and a called party. The method involves establishing the mobile communication and charging the called party for the communication. The technical effect of this invention is to simplify the process of mobile communication and make it more convenient for users."

Problems solved by technology

This is due to the network operator's lack of ability to charge their pre-paid subscribers in real-time while roaming.

Also, USSD call back approach does not provide a good user experience for initiating outgoing calls.

Further, one limitation of both these approaches is that in case the pre-paid subscriber has no balance in his pre-paid account, then the pre-paid subscriber cannot make calls while roaming, unless he recharges his pre-paid account while roaming.

Further, there may be situations when postpaid subscribers would not like to make calls and send SMS during roaming to avoid airtime charges.

This may result in loss of potential revenues for the network operators.

Network operators face similar problems even for local subscribers.

Additionally, if these local pre-paid subscribers have no balance in their pre-paid accounts, then cannot make calls, which again results in the loss of potential revenues for the network operators.

Further, when the outgoing calls and outgoing SMS for a postpaid subscriber are barred, then the post paid subscriber cannot make calls and send SMS, which again results in the loss of potential revenue for the network operators.

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