METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CHARGING-STATE DEPENDENT DETERMINATION OF SERVICE ACCESS TARIFF RATES BY BID PROCESS

摘要

Methods and devices for charging a user for access to a service (102) accessible via a communication network (100) are disclosed. At least two charging-related states are defined for the communication network (100). A tariff proposal entity (106a, 106b, 306, 401 ) associated with the user determines one or more tariff proposals for charging the user for accessing the service (102) and sends the one or more tariff proposals to a rating entity (107, 307, 407, RE700). The rating entity (107, 307, 407, RE700) analyzes (S320, S415) the one or more tariff proposals in relation to a current charging-related state of the at least two charging-related states, wherein it is determined if at least one of the one or more tariff proposals complies with at least one tariff setting associated with the current charging-related state. The rating entity (107, 307, 407, RE700) further selects (S325, S420) a tariff of the at least one complying tariff proposals for charging the user for access to the service (102) and initiates a charging of the user for access to the service (102) according to the selected tariff.