Counter-based limitation of subscriber charging inaccuracy

摘要

Disclosed techniques limit or reduce the amount of data for which a subscriber may be charged that may not actually be received at the subscriber's mobile device. A counter may be started when a node has data to be delivered to a mobile device. The node may send the data through a radio access network for delivery to the mobile device and record an amount of the data sent for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes while running the counter, until the counter reaches a predetermined value. When the counter reaches the predetermined value, if no traffic channel has been set up with the mobile device, the node will stop recording the amount of the data sent for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes.

主权项

1. A method comprising steps of:
receiving, at a node coupled to a radio access network when there is data to send to the mobile device, data intended for a mobile device; starting a counter in response to receiving the data intended for the mobile device; sending the data from the node through the radio access network for delivery to the mobile device; recording an amount of the data sent from the node for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes while running the counter, until the counter reaches a predetermined value; when the counter reaches the predetermined value, determining whether an active traffic channel through the radio access network has been set up:
in response to determining that an active traffic channel through the radio access network to the mobile device has not been set up, stopping recording of the amount of the data sent for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes, and continue to send the data through the radio access network for delivery without recording the data sent to the radio access network for data usage billing purposes; andin response to determining that an active traffic channel through the radio access network to the mobile device has been set up, continuing recording of the amount of the data sent for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes.