01-08-2012, 03:44 PM
Billing Systems
[attachment=29914]
Service Usage Data
Previously CDR – Call Data Records
One Record Per Call
Vendor-specific format
Typical CDR data:
Calling Party; Called Party; Call Start; Call Duration;
Service Type; ...
Currently Usage Data Records (not only
calls, but all other services)
One record per service provided
Simmilar format for interoperability
Pre-paid billing needs
Real-time balance check and reservation
Real-time billing (just after the service was
provided)
Online charging during the service usage
(how long can client use the service)
Optional element, not always implemented
Pre-paid billing specific issues
Traditional billing systems usually operated in
batch mode.
Pre-paid billing is usually a part of a pre-paid
service platform (separate from post-paid
billing system).
New generation convergent billing systems
offered (unified pre- and post-paid).
Billing Mediation Expansion
Development of adapters for new network
elements
New services provided (content-based, advanced
services)
Equipment from another vendor (UDR formats not
compactible)
Each service platform has to provide UDRs (one
record per service offered)
New Tariff Definition
Capability to rate UDRs for all types of
services
Tariff Definittion flexibility:
Charging for new services
Advanced charging scenarios (Cross-product
discounts, bulk discounts, ocassional discounts)
Rule-based rating (currently state-of-the-art)
Customer specific functionality
Each implementation is a big deal for the
Billing System vendor.
Each customer has a set of specific
requirements.
It is not uncommon for the vendor to
implement customer-specific functionality
extension (especially for big customers).
Smaller vendors are more willing to expand
system funcionality.
Conclusions
High data throughput
Tens of milions events rated daily
High operational flexibility
Postpaid and prepaid customers
New services offered every month
Lack of billing system flexibility can severely
impact operator’s business
Crucial for operators’ business
Extreme stability is a must
Very hard to replace
[attachment=29914]
Service Usage Data
Previously CDR – Call Data Records
One Record Per Call
Vendor-specific format
Typical CDR data:
Calling Party; Called Party; Call Start; Call Duration;
Service Type; ...
Currently Usage Data Records (not only
calls, but all other services)
One record per service provided
Simmilar format for interoperability
Pre-paid billing needs
Real-time balance check and reservation
Real-time billing (just after the service was
provided)
Online charging during the service usage
(how long can client use the service)
Optional element, not always implemented
Pre-paid billing specific issues
Traditional billing systems usually operated in
batch mode.
Pre-paid billing is usually a part of a pre-paid
service platform (separate from post-paid
billing system).
New generation convergent billing systems
offered (unified pre- and post-paid).
Billing Mediation Expansion
Development of adapters for new network
elements
New services provided (content-based, advanced
services)
Equipment from another vendor (UDR formats not
compactible)
Each service platform has to provide UDRs (one
record per service offered)
New Tariff Definition
Capability to rate UDRs for all types of
services
Tariff Definittion flexibility:
Charging for new services
Advanced charging scenarios (Cross-product
discounts, bulk discounts, ocassional discounts)
Rule-based rating (currently state-of-the-art)
Customer specific functionality
Each implementation is a big deal for the
Billing System vendor.
Each customer has a set of specific
requirements.
It is not uncommon for the vendor to
implement customer-specific functionality
extension (especially for big customers).
Smaller vendors are more willing to expand
system funcionality.
Conclusions
High data throughput
Tens of milions events rated daily
High operational flexibility
Postpaid and prepaid customers
New services offered every month
Lack of billing system flexibility can severely
impact operator’s business
Crucial for operators’ business
Extreme stability is a must
Very hard to replace