Methods, apparatuses, system and related computer program product for charging of always-on connections

摘要

The generation of charging data and charging traffic is reduced during idle periods of an always-on connection. During the detection of idle periods on the always-on connection special data like ICMP messages, keep alive messages and polling messages is ignored and not counted as active traffic. When an idle period is detected the charging session related to the always-on connection is suspended for the duration of the idle period in order to reduce the generation of charging data related to the idle always-on connection without terminating the charging session. Further on the user is not billed for the detected periods where the always-on connection was idle.

主权项

1. A method of charging a subscriber in a communication network for an always-on connection, the method which comprises:
upon creating the always-on connection, starting a charging session; detecting whether or not the always-on connection is idle; and if the always-on connection is idle, suspending the charging session related to the always-on connection without terminating the charging session.