QoE-Based Charging Rate Adjustment in Telecommunication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charging systems in telecommunication networks do not adjust the charging rate based on the actual Quality of Experience (QoE) experienced by subscribers, despite variations in network conditions and environmental factors, leading to inconsistent service quality and unfair billing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes a monitoring engine in a network gateway to collect and transmit Quality of Experience (QoE) data as attribute-value pairs to an Online Charging System, allowing for dynamic determination of charging rates based on measured QoE metrics, enabling differential charging that reflects the actual service quality experienced by users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If charging rate is fixed regardless of QoE, then billing simplicity is maintained, but fairness and user satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a monitoring engine as an intermediary component that collects QoE data and communicates it to the online charging system. This mediator enables QoE-based charging without requiring fundamental changes to the existing charging architecture, thus improving charging accuracy while limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring engine is designed to collect multiple QoE parameters (throughput, delay, jitter, packet loss) and serve multiple purposes: both for charging determination and for potential network optimization. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single component.
2Measurement precision
If QoE monitoring is implemented, then charging fairness is improved, but measurement and data collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring engine leverages existing network elements and protocols to collect QoE data. Rather than requiring new dedicated measurement infrastructure, it utilizes data already available in the network (throughput, delay, jitter, packet loss metrics) and processes them locally, reducing the difficulty of QoE measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines QoE monitoring functionality with the existing online charging system architecture. The monitoring engine integrates with the Diameter protocol and existing charging workflows, merging measurement and charging functions into a unified process that reduces overall system complexity despite adding measurement capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic charging based on QoE is implemented, then user satisfaction is improved, but processing overhead and system resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring engine collects QoE data periodically during the data session rather than continuously, and the online charging system determines charging rates at periodic intervals based on accumulated QoE measurements. This periodic approach provides adaptability to QoE changes while reducing processing overhead compared to continuous real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The network gateway preconfigures QoE monitoring parameters and thresholds before data sessions begin. By preparing measurement configurations in advance, the system reduces real-time processing requirements during actual charging operations, improving processing efficiency while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, in a wireless telecommunication network, for providing a charging rate associated with a data session for user equipment, the method comprising generating a measure of a quality of experience of the data session for user equipment using a monitoring engine of a network gateway, determining, at an Online Charging System, OCS, module of the network a charging rate for the data session using the generated measure of quality of experience.