Service utilization control manager

摘要

An apparatus is described for managing mobile network services. The apparatus includes a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services. The service policy includes (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service. A real time utilization interface is configured to transmit messages between the SAUCF element and a subscriber service utilization account.

主权项

1. A method of managing mobile network services, the method comprising:
receiving, by a node, via an electronic network, a mobile network service request, the mobile network service request requesting authorization by a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element executing on the node and acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy for the subscriber account, the service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services grouped into a plurality of bundled service categories; receiving configuration of the service policy for a subscriber group within a mobile network by one or more subscribers within the subscriber group; storing available service credits within a subscriber service utilization account based on the service policy; implementing, by the SAUCF element, the service policy via an interface configured to apply the service policy to a bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service request; electronically processing, via the SAUCF element, the authorization for the mobile network service request based on the service policy, the service policy comprising: (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service identified in the mobile network service request in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to the bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service, and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service within the corresponding bundled service category.