METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CHARGING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling a present service charging session for charging service usage in a communication network. The method comprises receiving a first request for grant of a reservation service unit quota from a charging client, the first request including at least data identifying an account to charge for the service usage. A first granted service unit quota for the first request is determined and a first carry-over service units quota from a previous service charging session associated with the identified account is accessed. A first reservation service unit quota is determined by deducting the first carry-over service units quota from the first granted service unit quota. According to the method it is reserved for the first reservation service unit quota from the account and the first granted service unit quota is sent to the charging client. Further, a clearing request is received from the charging client including data enabling a first used amount of service units to be determined. An outstanding service unit quota is determined by deducting the first carry-over service unit quota from the first used amount of service unit and the outstanding service unit quota from the account is deducting for. An advantage is that for example mechanisms for reducing resource usage in the communication network, such as for example Quota-Holding-Time defined in 3GPP 32.299, may be used and still get a correct charging of used services thereby avoiding premature denial of service when the account is extinct.