Method for operating a mobile network for charging traffic and corresponding mobile network
View Patent ↗A method for operating a mobile network, especially for charging traffic within the mobile network, wherein monitoring of chargeable events regarding traffic from and/or to a mobile node will be performed by a Charging Function for collecting charging data. The method is characterized in that a Charging Function's sub-function for monitoring of chargeable events on a data flow level or IP (Internet Protocol) flow level will be additionally located—as an additional sub-function D-CEMF (Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function)—on at least one further network element, which is different from the Charging Function and which allows to traverse breakout and/or localized traffic of the mobile node, so that the Charging Function and the further network element each are including such a sub-function, and that the additional sub-function D-CEMF will report information regarding monitored chargeable events to the Charging Function. A mobile network for carrying out the method is described.
1. A method for operating a mobile network, especially for charging traffic within the mobile network, wherein monitoring of chargeable events regarding traffic from and/or to a mobile node will be performed by a Charging Function for collecting charging data,
characterized in that a Charging Function's sub-function for monitoring of chargeable events on a data flow level or IP (Internet Protocol) flow level will be additionally located—as an additional sub-function D-CEMF (Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function)—on at least one further network element, which is different from the Charging Function and which assures the traversal of breakout and/or localized traffic of the mobile node, so that the Charging Function and the further network element each are comprising such a sub-function, and that the additional sub-function D-CEMF will report information regarding monitored chargeable events to the Charging Function.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the Charging Function is a CTF (Charging Trigger Function).
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the Charging Function comprises a functionality to cooperate with the D-CEMF.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the cooperation comprises setting up and removing configuration on the D-CEMF and/or receiving reported information about monitored chargeable events.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the Charging Function is located on a PDN GW (Packet Data Network Gateway) of the network.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the further network element is an SGW (Serving Gateway) or any other gateway or router which allows breakout of a mobile node's traffic.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the further network element is an eNodeB (evolved NodeB).
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the reported information comprises data volume and/or session start/stop and/or handover events of monitored chargeable events, sessions or traffic.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the report of information will be performed through an already existing or through a newly provided interface.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein whenever there is a setup of a localized traffic route or a setup of traffic breakout at the further network element, the Charging Function delegates the monitoring of chargeable events to the D-CEMF at the network element.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the further network element delegates the D-CEMF to another network element, if a setup of a localized traffic route or a setup of traffic breakout happens at the other network element.
12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein a D-CEMF of the other network element will report information regarding monitored chargeable events to the further network element and the further network element will report this information to the Charging Function.
13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the Charging Function is able to distinguish events being reported from its sub-function or from a D-CEMF on the at least one further network element or from a D-CEMF of the other network element.
14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the Charging Function uses an existing interface to an online charging system or to a billing domain for reporting charging data in the case of online charging.
15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the Charging Function uses an existing interface to a CDF (Charging Data Function) or to a billing domain for reporting charging data in the case of offline charging.
16. A mobile network, preferably for carrying out the method for operating a mobile network, especially for charging traffic within the mobile network, according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile network is comprising a Charging Function and wherein monitoring of chargeable events regarding traffic from and/or to a mobile node will be performed by the Charging Function for collecting charging data, characterized in that a Charging Function's sub-function for monitoring of chargeable events on a data flow level or IP (Internet Protocol) flow level is additionally located—as an additional sub-function D-CEMF (Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function)—on at least one further network element, which is different from the Charging Function and which assures the traversal of breakout and/or localized traffic of the mobile node, so that the Charging Function and the further network element each are comprising such a sub-function, and that the additional sub-function D-CEMF is comprising means for reporting information regarding monitored chargeable events to the Charging Function.