Differentiated network indication

摘要

A system and method in a cellular telecommunication network for indicating tariff-related information to an end user having the ability to access network areas with different charging tariffs. In one embodiment, a Charging Indication Data Base (CIDB) in the access network stores charging indications for different combinations of end users and cell identities, and a Rate Indication Data Base (RIDB) stores tariff information for the core network. When the end user accesses the cellular network through an identified cell, a radio network controller (RNC) retrieves a charging indication from the CIDB and sends it to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The MSC uses the charging indication to retrieve tariff-related information from the RIDB and sends it to the end user. The CIDB and RIDB may also be co-located in the core network.