Per-Session Cost Control in Wireless Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack mechanisms to provide users with granular control over the costs of individual service sessions, particularly for non-voice services, leading to uncertainty and inefficiency in cost management, especially during roaming.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to set and monitor a service provision threshold for each session, enabling notifications and actions when the threshold is exceeded, such as terminating the session or sending a warning, to ensure cost control through session control messages and network resource monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prepaid charging mechanisms are implemented to control service costs, then user cost control is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional signalling and information exchange requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing cost thresholds and limits before the service session begins. The network node receives threshold information from the charging system in advance, and the user can set maximum cost limits before initiating the session. This preliminary configuration enables automatic cost control without requiring complex real-time calculations during service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The cost control mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a charging system that sets thresholds, a network node that receives and stores threshold information, and a service provision node that enforces the limits. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cost control.
2Reliability
If per-session cost control mechanisms are added to the network, then user confidence in service costs is improved, but service delivery latency increases due to additional signalling
Solution Approach 1:
Cost thresholds and control parameters are established before the service session begins. The network node receives threshold information from the charging system in advance and stores it for use during the session. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for continuous cost calculations and signalling exchanges during service delivery, thereby reducing latency while maintaining cost control.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node automatically uses the stored threshold information to control service costs without requiring continuous user intervention or complex real-time signalling. The system performs self-service by automatically comparing service usage against pre-established thresholds and enforcing cost limits, thereby minimizing additional signalling overhead during service delivery.
3Ease of operation
If granular cost control for individual service sessions is implemented, then ease of operation is improved for users, but device complexity increases due to additional network functions
Solution Approach 1:
The granular cost control functionality is segmented into separate network nodes: a charging system that manages threshold configuration, a network node that stores and manages threshold information, and service provision nodes that enforce controls. This segmentation isolates complexity to specific components while keeping the overall system manageable and the user interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node acts as an intermediary between the charging system and the service provision node. It receives threshold information from the charging system, stores it, and provides it to the service provision node when needed. This intermediary role simplifies the interaction between components and reduces the complexity burden on any single node while enabling granular cost control.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system and method thereof are configured to provide a service including a communication network including a charging entity and a service provision node. A user terminal is configured to transmit a session control message to the charging entity identifying a service provision threshold determined by a user of the user terminal for a session of the service requested by the user of the user terminal. Monitoring means is configured to monitor provision of the session and, if the provision of the session exceeds the service provision threshold, to notify the service provision node to performs a predetermined action upon receipt of the notification.