PRICING METHOD FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A system is described for pricing calls made by customers in a telecommunications network. The system includes a local exchange (10) which provides a call record for each call, a database (12) containing details of the customers of the network, a database (14) which contains the locations of the individual numbers, details of routes between the numbers and a set of tariffs for pricing calls, a processor (16) which receives call records from the local exchange (10) and data from the databases (12) and (14) and uses the call records and data to price calls, and a store (18) for storing details of the priced calls. In order to price a typical call, the processor (16) evaluates a factor relating to the type of service used in the call, a factor relating to the type of customer, a factor relating to the locations of the calling and called number in the network and a factor relating to the day on which the call is made. The values of the factors are used to select the tariff from the set of call tariff stored in database (14) and the call is then priced in accordance with this tariff.