A Converged Charging Framework for Mobile Voice and Data Applications

The evolution of an integrated mobile communication environment enables service deployment and content delivery offered by independent providers through heterogeneous network infrastructures. In a few months, a mobile user will be able to access value added services through several wireless public access networks (i.e., 3G cellular, Wireless LAN or WAN) belonging to the same or different operators and simultaneously use multiple different services at the same time. In this scenario there is a strong need for a common charging and billing scheme enhancing access flexibility and encouraging services and network convergence. We propose, starting from an AAAbased 3G-WLAN roaming/interworking paradigm, a unified “one stop” charging scheme, according to which the customers will receive a single itemized bill for all consumed services regardless of the providing party and access technology. Such a platform can become very helpful for the homogeneous development of charging functionalities for new-generation integrated mobile services. Index Terms — Converged WLAN-3G, Charging, Billing