Telecom Billing Outsourcing System for Cross-Network Charge Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications, the inefficiencies in billing processes between multiple networks lead to untimely receipt of billing information, resulting in additional administration costs and customer confusion, as networks struggle to coordinate charges across different jurisdictions and service providers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for outsourcing telecommunications billing, where one network generates and transmits billing statements reflecting charges from both networks, eliminating the need for the additional network to regenerate invoices and reducing administrative costs by integrating billing processes across firewalls and protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If networks periodically communicate to obtain billing information, then billing statements can be generated, but untimely receipt of billing information occurs leading to delayed charges and additional administration costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the home network send a preliminary billing request to the additional network before generating the billing statement. This allows the additional network to prepare and send billing information in advance, ensuring timely receipt and eliminating delays in charge processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a two-way communication mechanism where the home network requests billing information and the additional network responds with charge details. This feedback loop ensures that billing information is exchanged systematically and timely, preventing delays and reducing administration costs.
2Reliability
If the home network delays charges until receiving billing information from additional networks, then customer confusion is avoided, but payment timelines are extended beyond contracted periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the additional network send billing information to the home network before the home network generates the billing statement. This ensures that all charge information is available in advance, allowing the home network to include accurate charges without delay while maintaining billing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the home network as an intermediary that coordinates between the additional network and the customer. The home network receives billing information from the additional network, processes it, and incorporates it into the final billing statement, ensuring both accuracy and timely delivery to the customer.
3Productivity
If multiple networks generate separate billing statements, then each network can bill for its services, but customers receive multiple invoices for the same service causing confusion and additional administration costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating billing responsibilities for cross-network services into a single billing statement generated by the home network. The home network incorporates charges from multiple additional networks into one unified invoice, eliminating customer confusion while maintaining efficient billing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The home network performs multiple functions: it acts as the primary billing generator, coordinates with multiple additional networks, aggregates charges from different sources, and delivers a unified billing statement to the customer. This multi-functionality resolves billing coordination issues while maintaining efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for outsourcing telecom billing are disclosed for issuing one or more first billing statements and one or more second billing statements from a first telecom network; and transmitting at least the one or more first billing statements to a second telecom network. The one or more first billing statements may reflect one or more charges from the first telecom network to the second telecom network, and the one or more second billing statements may reflect one or more charges from the second telecom network to one or more customers thereof. The one or more charges of the first and second billing statements may reflect the same service(s).