HLR Intelligent Charging Trigger for Roaming Prepaid Subscribers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication technologies fail to provide real-time charging for prepaid subscribers in roaming regions and do not support international roaming services for prepaid subscribers.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent charging triggering method and system that uses a Home Location Register (HLR) to determine whether to deliver intelligent subscription data to a serving Mobile Switching Center (MSC) based on a preset policy, enabling real-time charging for BOSS subscribers in roaming regions and international roaming services for prepaid subscribers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the BOSS-based mode is used for charging, then the management of subscribers and services is convenient, but real-time charging cannot be realized for prepaid subscribers in roaming regions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches charging modes based on subscriber type and location. For BOSS subscribers in home regions, the BOSS-based quasi-real-time charging is used. For prepaid subscribers in roaming regions, the system dynamically triggers intelligent network-based real-time charging by delivering intelligent subscription data to the serving MSC, ensuring real-time charging capability is maintained when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The HLR acts as an intermediary that receives location update requests from serving MSCs, determines whether intelligent subscription data should be delivered based on subscriber type and location, and then delivers the appropriate data. This intermediary function enables the system to automatically switch between charging modes without requiring manual intervention or complex modifications to existing BOSS or IN systems.
2Reliability
If the IN-based mode is used for charging, then real-time charging is realized, but international roaming service for prepaid subscribers is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the charging mode based on the subscriber's location and type. When a prepaid subscriber roams internationally, the HLR determines not to deliver intelligent subscription data, allowing the serving MSC to handle charging locally using existing international roaming protocols. When the same subscriber returns home or domestic roaming is needed, intelligent subscription data is delivered to enable real-time charging. This dynamic adaptation supports both international roaming and real-time charging without requiring separate systems.
3Reliability
If intelligent subscription data is always delivered to serving MSC, then real-time charging is enabled, but system complexity and data transmission overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of always delivering intelligent subscription data, the system delivers the data only when necessary - specifically when prepaid subscribers are in roaming regions where real-time charging is needed. The HLR determines based on subscriber type and location whether delivery is required. This partial action approach enables real-time charging capability when needed while avoiding unnecessary data transmission and system complexity in cases where it is not required, such as for BOSS subscribers or when subscribers are in home regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent charging triggering method is provided. The method includes receiving a subscriber location data update request sent by a serving mobile switching center (MSC), determining whether subscriber data delivered to the serving MSC carries intelligent subscription data of a prepaid subscriber according to a preset intelligent charging triggering policy, and then delivering the subscriber data carrying the intelligent subscription data to the serving MSC if a determination result is that the subscriber data delivered to the serving MSC carries the intelligent subscription data. A home location register (HLR) and a charging processing system are further provided. The technical solutions can realize real-time charging of a calling service of a prepaid subscriber in a BOSS system when the prepaid subscriber roams in a roaming region of a home country, and meanwhile realize an international roaming service of a prepaid subscriber in an intelligent network (IN).