Operator-Specific Billing for Toll-Free Data via Wholesale Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current billing schemes for data network access are inflexible, requiring one-on-one agreements between third-party companies and network operators for discounted connectivity, limiting the ability to offer toll-free or discounted data access to users without burdening them with high costs or limited data plans.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enable application providers to negotiate and offer prepaid applications with operator-specific billing, allowing users to access content without charging their regular data plan, through a wholesale server platform that manages operator-specific billing, enabling discounted or toll-free connectivity based on negotiated deals and data traffic thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If one-on-one agreements between third-party companies and network operators are used for discounted connectivity, then billing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary billing system that mediates between multiple third-party companies and network operators. This intermediary handles the complex one-on-one agreements centrally, allowing individual applications to access discounted connectivity without each application needing separate negotiations. The intermediary translates application requests into operator-specific billing arrangements, reducing implementation complexity for individual devices while maintaining billing flexibility.
2Quantity of substance
If limited data plans are imposed to curb network impact, then network resource management is improved, but user accessibility and application functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing billing rules specific to individual applications rather than uniform data limits across all services. Each application can have its own operator-specific billing arrangement, allowing data-intensive applications to function fully while other services operate under standard data plans. This selective approach maintains network resource management while enabling application-specific accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices without data plans are allowed to access data networks, then device versatility is improved, but billing management and network control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices without traditional data plans to access data networks through application-specific billing arrangements. The billing system automatically manages these connections by identifying applications eligible for operator-specific billing and handling the charging independently of traditional data plan requirements. This self-service mechanism allows enhanced device versatility while automating billing management to control complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present system relates to a server for providing data connectivity in a packet mode communication network, the comprising a processor arranged to receive, via a first brokerage control unit, a charging rule request to allow one or more communication devices in the communication network to exchange with an application server data charged under operator specific billing; determine availability of the operator specific billing based on network parameters and the charging rule request, and update the database of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) entity in the communication network based on available operator specific billing and an identifier for the application server, for subsequent charging of data exchanged with the application server at said available operator specific billing.