Roaming Edge Computing Charging Policy Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of defined methods for applying charging policies to edge computing sessions for roaming UEs, as existing systems do not account for the need to connect to local data networks through shortened transmission paths and require distinct charging policies for data traffic exchanged between the local data network and the roaming UE.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed for configuring charging policies and providing usage monitoring information for edge computing sessions of roaming UEs, involving session management functions in both home and visited networks to obtain and transmit charging information, ensuring appropriate charging policies are applied for edge computing services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing charging policies are applied to edge computing sessions for roaming UEs, then charging control is maintained, but the specific charging needs of edge computing services with shortened transmission paths and local data network connections cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The charging policy is segmented into different types: general roaming charging policies and edge computing service-specific charging policies. This allows the system to handle different charging scenarios separately, enabling both general roaming charging control and specialized edge computing charging control to coexist reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing visited network charging control for edge computing sessions. The visited network (VPLMN) is empowered to independently determine and apply charging policies for edge computing services, allowing charging control to be optimized locally at the visited network level while maintaining home network (HPLMN) oversight.
2Ease of operation
If visited networks are empowered to configure charging policies for edge computing sessions, then charging flexibility and local control are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The home network charging function (H-CHF) acts as an intermediary that provides charging policy templates to the visited network. The H-CHF determines the charging policy type and provides necessary parameters, while the visited network applies the policy. This intermediary approach enables visited network flexibility without requiring complete charging policy design complexity at the visited network level.
Solution Approach 2:
The home network performs preliminary action by pre-determining the charging policy type and providing charging policy templates before the actual charging occurs. This preliminary configuration at the home network level reduces the operational complexity at the visited network level, as they only need to apply pre-defined templates rather than creating charging policies from scratch.
3Adaptability or versatility
If session breakout is enabled for roaming UEs to access local data networks, then service accessibility is improved, but charging information management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts charging information management from the complex session breakout process. The home network charging function separately manages charging information for edge computing sessions, independent of the session establishment and data transmission processes. This extraction allows session breakout to proceed with full service accessibility while charging information is handled through a dedicated, simplified management path.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method performed by a first entity which performs a session management function for an HPLMN in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: confirming that session breakout is allowed for home routed PDU sessions for roaming; obtaining, from a second entity performing a charging function for the HPLMN, charging information to be applied to a first session, from among the home routed PDU sessions, broken out within a VPLMN for an edge computing service; and transmitting a message including the charging information to a third entity which performs a session management function for the VPLMN.