SENDING BILLING MESSAGES IN A TELEPHONE NETWORK

摘要

A method of sending a message across a telephone network e.g. using an SS7 signalling network, to cause a telephone billing system, to bill a subscriber to the network. The message is not associated with a call in the telephone network, and the message indicates which subscriber is to be billed, and a billable amount. This enables internet services to be billed on a telephone bill, which could generate significant new revenue for network operators. Such billing systems are well established and trusted, and are suitable for billing many small amounts efficiently. There is no delay or waste of bandwidth caused by setting up a call in the network.