Method and apparatus for area-based billing in cellular telephone systems

摘要

A number of charging regions and associated special charging rates are defined for a cellular telephone subscribers. The available charging regions are selectively assembled by subscribers to define charging areas within which that subscriber is entitled to special rates for cellular calls. When a subscriber is engaged in a cellular call and is located with the subscriber's charging area, the subscriber is charged the special charging rate granted to the charging region within which the subscriber is located. Otherwise, the subscriber is charged at conventional cellular charging rates. In instances where the subscriber is not given the special rate, or otherwise is to be charged at more than the lowest available rate, the system notifies the participating subscriber that the call is not subject to the special rate and gives the subscriber an opportunity to terminate without being charged.