ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)

Telecommunications and Internet Converged Services and Protocols for Advanced Networking (TISPAN); SIP Transfer of IP Multimedia Service Tariff Information; Protocol specification

DTS/TISPAN-03113-NGN-R2

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Jan-2008
• Technical Committee: TISPAN 3 - TISPAN Protocols
• Current Stage: 12 - Completion
• Due Date: 08-Feb-2008
• Completion Date: 28-Jan-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

Technical Specification
Telecommunications and Internet Converged Services and
Protocols for Advanced Networking (TISPAN);
SIP Transfer of IP Multimedia Service Tariff Information;
Protocol specification
2 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)

Reference
DTS/TISPAN-03113-NGN-R2
Keywords
charging, NNI, SIP transport
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3 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights.5
Foreword.5
1 Scope.6
2 References.7
2.1 Normative references.7
3 Definitions and abbreviations.8
3.1 Definitions.8
3.2 Abbreviations.8
4 SIP Transfer of Charging Information .9
4.1 Description.9
4.1.1 General description.9
4.1.2 Network provider option.10
4.2 Coding requirements.10
4.3 Functional requirements.10
4.3.1 Overall requirements.10
4.3.2 Procedures at a Charge Determination Point .10
4.3.2.1 Procedures during communication set-up .10
4.3.2.1.1 Tariff indication.10
4.3.2.1.2 Communication attempt charge.11
4.3.2.1.3 Communication set-up charge .11
4.3.2.1.4 Communication charge.11
4.3.2.2 Procedures after start of charging.12
4.3.2.2.1 Change current tariff.12
4.3.2.2.2 Add-on charging information .12
4.3.2.3 Subsequent Tariff indications.12
4.3.3 Procedures at the charge generation point .13
4.3.3.1 Procedures during communication set-up .13
4.3.3.1.1 Tariff indication.13
4.3.3.1.2 Communication attempt charge.13
4.3.3.1.3 Communication setup charge .13
4.3.3.1.4 Communication charge.14
4.3.3.2 Procedures after start of charge.15
4.3.3.2.1 Change current tariff.15
4.3.3.2.2 Add-on charging information .15
4.3.3.3 Subsequent Tariff indications.16
4.3.4 Handling of identifiers .16
4.4 Signalling requirements.16
4.4.1 General.16
4.4.2 Procedures during communication set-up.16
4.4.2.1 Procedures at the CDP .16
4.4.3 Procedures after start of charging .17
4.4.3.1 Procedures at the CDP .17
4.5 Interaction with other services.17
4.6 Interactions with other networks .17
4.6.1 Interaction with PSTN/ISDN.17
4.6.2 Interaction with PSTN/ISDN Emulation .19
4.6.3 Interaction with external IP networks .19
Annex A (informative): Signalling flows .20
Annex B (informative): SIP Transfer of Charging Information parameters .24
B.1 General.24
B.2 NNI Charging information .24
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4 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
B.2.1 Charging Message Type.24
B.2.2 Add On Charging Information .24
B.2.2.1 Add On Charge.24
B.2.2.1.1 Add On Charge Currency.24
B.2.2.1.2 Add On Charge Pulse.25
B.2.3 Charging Tariff Information.25
B.2.3.1 Charging Tariff.25
B.2.3.1.1 Tariff Currency.25
B.2.3.1.1.1 Current Tariff Currency.25
B.2.3.1.1.2 Tariff Switch Currency.25
B.2.3.1.2 Tariff Pulse.26
B.2.3.1.2.1 Current Tariff Pulse.26
B.2.3.1.2.2 Tariff Switch Pulse .26
B.3 Common information elements/types .27
B.3.1 Identification.27
B.3.1.1 Origination identification.27
B.3.1.2 Destination identification.27
B.3.1.3 Charging reference identification .27
B.3.1.4 Network identification.27
B.3.1.5 Reference ID.27
B.3.1.6 Network operators.27
B.3.2 Charging.27
B.3.2.1 Charging control indicators .27
B.3.2.1.1 Immediate change of actually applied tariff.27
B.3.2.1.2 Delay until start.28
B.3.2.2 Currency.28
B.3.2.3 Currency factor scale.28
B.3.2.3.1 Currency factor.28
B.3.2.3.2 Currency scale.28
B.3.2.4 Pulse units type .28
B.3.2.5 Communication charge currency type .29
B.3.2.5.1 Tariff duration.29
B.3.2.5.2 Sub tariff control .29
B.3.2.6 Tariff control iIndicators.29
B.3.2.7 Call attempt charge currency .29
B.3.2.8 Call setup charge currency.29
B.3.2.9 Tariff switchover time type.29
B.3.2.10 Communication charge pulse type.30
B.3.2.10.1 Pulse units.30
B.3.2.10.2 Charge unit time interval.30
B.3.2.10.3 Tariff duration.30
B.3.2.11 Tariff pulse format type .30
B.3.2.11.1 Communication charge sequence pulse .30
B.3.2.11.2 Call attempt charge pulse .30
B.3.2.11.3 Call setup charge pulse.30
B.3.2.12 Tariff duration type.30
B.3.2.13 Sub tariff control type .31
B.3.2.14 Charge unit time interval type.31
Annex C (normative): SIP Transfer of charging information XML schema: .32
History .35

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5 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://webapp.etsi.org/IPR/home.asp).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This Technical Specification (TS) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Telecommunications and Internet
converged Services and Protocols for Advanced Networking (TISPAN).
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6 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
1 Scope
The present document specifies the Stage 3 of the real-time transfer of tariff information between a Charge
Determination Point (CDP) and a Charge Generation Point (CGP) by means of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
It identifies the protocol procedures and switching functions needed to support the transfer of tariff information related
to IP multimedia services. The information needed to support the ISDN User part (ISUP) signalling aspects of charging
(ES 201 296 [6]) for Advice of Charge information purposes is also specified, however, it can be used for other
purposes as well where applicable.
The present document is applicable to an environment where different operators are working together. It is also
applicable to a single network operator environment.
Whether the present document is applicable to a national environment and/or can be used for inter-network purposes
depends on regulatory demands and/or bilateral agreements. It should be noted that there are network requirements and
signalling limitations that are not covered because they are outside the scope of the present document. Examples of
these are as follows:
- the on-line provided advice of charge information may not accurately reflect the correct charging rate due to
discount rates, special charging arrangements, etc. It is out of scope to ensure alignment of this information;
- complaint handling between network operators in case of incorrect advice of charge information;
- explicit encryption or special security mechanisms;
- usage of the transferred tariff information for charging purposes;
- interaction between UE and CGP for possible confirmation of provided tariffs;
- any function behind the CGP towards the UE.
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7 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
2 References
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific.
• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.
• Non-specific reference may be made only to a complete document or a part thereof and only in the following
cases:
- if it is accepted that it will be possible to use all future changes of the referenced document for the
purposes of the referring document;
- for informative references.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
For online referenced documents, information sufficient to identify and locate the source shall be provided. Preferably,
the primary source of the referenced document should be cited, in order to ensure traceability. Furthermore, the
reference should, as far as possible, remain valid for the expected life of the document. The reference shall include the
method of access to the referenced document and the full network address, with the same punctuation and use of upper
case and lower case letters.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
2.1 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of the present document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For non-specific references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
[1] ETSI TS 181 002: "Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for
Advanced Networking (TISPAN); Multimedia Telephony with PSTN/ISDN simulation services".
[2] IETF RFC 2976: "The SIP INFO Method".
[3] IETF RFC 4006: "Diameter Credit-Control Application".
[4] ETSI ES 283 003: "Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for
Advanced Networking (TISPAN); IP Multimedia Call Control Protocol based on Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Session Description Protocol (SDP) Stage 3 [3GPP TS 24.229
[Release 7], modified]".
[5] ISO 4217: "International Organization for Standardization; Type Currency Code List".
[6] ETSI ES 201 296 (V1.3.1): "Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN); Signalling System No.7
(SS7); ISDN User Part (ISUP); Signalling aspects of charging".
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8 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the terms and definitions given in TS 181 002 [1] and the following apply:
absolute time: time of the day representing GMT
add-on charge: single additional charge which does not change the current tariff
NOTE: An add-on charge can either be metered in non-monetary units (e.g. meter-pulse) or in monetary-units
(e.g. currency).
charge: number of charge units (for the usage of a chargeable event (telecommunication service))
Charge Determination Point (CDP): determines which tariff/add-on charge should be applied , and inserts the
charging information to the appropriate SIP requests or responses
NOTE: Example of a CDP is a SIP AS at the visited IMS network providing the premium rate service.
Charge Generation Point (CGP): receives the charging information that was added by a CDP and transferred in the
appropriate SIP requests or responses
NOTE: Example of a CGP is an originating SIP AS at the home IMS network for advice of charge purposes.
charge unit: base element for the charging process, expressed in non-monetary or monetary units
charging: function whereby information related to a chargeable event is formatted and transferred in order to make it
possible to determine usage for which the charged party may be billed
real-time: time, typically in number of seconds, to perform the on-line mechanism used for fraud control and cost
control
subtariff: within a tariff sequence, a charge unit per time unit
NOTE: Each subtariff has an individual duration and an individual charge unit.
tariff: set of parameters defining the network utilization charges for the use of a particular bearer / session / service
NOTE 1: A tariff can either be metered in non-monetary units (e.g. meter-pulse) or in monetary units
(e.g. currency).
NOTE 2: Relationship between tariff and charge units (charging) should be clarified.
NOTE 3: A tariff consists of a tariff sequence.
tariff determination instance: particular charging-related process with a corresponding communication between a
charge determination point and a charge registration/charge generation point
tariff sequence: list of consecutive subtariffs which has to be applied for the charging of the communication event
NOTE: The subtariffs are applied at the start of the communication event and are applied consecutively according
to the list of the subtariffs. The last subtariff may have an unlimited duration.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
AOC Advice Of Charge
AOCRG Add-On ChaRGing information
ASE Application Service Element
CDP Charge Determination Point
CGP Charge Generation Point
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9 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
CRGT ChaRGing Tariff information
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
ID IDentification
IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem
IP Internet Protocol
ISDN Integrated Service Data Network
ISUP ISDN User Part
NGN Next Generation Network
PSTN Public Switch Telephone Network
SIP Session Initiation Protocol
UE User Equipment
4 SIP Transfer of Charging Information
4.1 Description
4.1.1 General description
The present document specifies the procedures for the realtime transfer of charging information in SIP between a
Charge Determination Point (CDP) and a Charge Generation Point (CGP). CDP is a network function that determines
which tariff/add-on charge should be applied and inserts the charging information to the appropriate SIP requests or
responses, whereas the CGP is a network function that receives the charging information that was added by a CDP.
Example of CDP is a SIP AS at the visited IMS network providing the premium rate service. Example of the CGP is the
originating SIP AS at the home IMS network for advice of charge purposes.
The functionality is needed to support the charging of value added services that are charged by the operator of the
originating end user, the home IMS operator, in case the operator of the originating end user has no knowledge about
the charging information related to these value-added services.
A charge determination and charge generation point of the communication may be located within the network of one
operator (single network operator environment) or may be located in different networks of different operators
(multi-operator environment).
The configuration of several charge determination points for one communication is possible. It is assumed that there is
only one CGP for the communication.
The transferred charging information represents direct charging information (no pointers to charging data), either in
monetary (e.g. currency) units or non-monetary (e.g. meter-pulse) units.
The following functionality is provided:
i) apply a communication attempt charge for unsuccessful communications;
ii) apply a communication setup charge (once) at start of charging;
iii) apply an initial communication tariff at start of charging and an (optional) next tariff at an absolute time
during the communication;
iv) change immediately the current tariff;
v) apply immediately an add-on charge (either a number of non-monetary units or an amount of monetary
units) during the communication. This add-on charge is additive and does not change the tariff in force;
vi) differentiation as to whether the charging information is to be used for advice of charge purposes only, or
for subscriber charging purposes (which would also allow it to be used for advice of charge purposes);
vii) perform validation (e.g. check range of parameters, check whether a request from a certain network
operator can be accepted);
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10 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
viii) apply a "one time charge" (i.e. non-periodic charge/flat rate) as a minimum communication charge at start
of charging;
4.1.2 Network provider option
Not applicable.
4.2 Coding requirements
CDP and CGP shall support the INFO method according to RFC 2976 [2] in support of SIP Transfer of Charging
Information.
CDP and CGP shall support multipart MIME content.
The SIP Transfer of Charging Information XML schema, version 1.0, is defined in annex C. The Charging Information
XML schema shall be transported as a SIP MIME body. The MIME type for the Charging Information is
"application/vnd.etsi.sci+xml". Any SIP message that transports a body with Charging Information shall identify the
payload as MIME type "application/vnd.etsi.sci+xml".
4.3 Functional requirements
4.3.1 Overall requirements
a) CGP receives tariff information and shall not send it further, however, the received tariff information can be
used for the AoC info provision to the UE.
b) There is only one CGP per service usage and the CGP is always located within the home network of the served
subscriber.
c) CDP determines the tariff to be applied or an add on charge, and provides for transfer to the CGP.
d) There can be one or more CDP per service usage. CDP may be located in the originating or in the terminating
network.
e) Sending of next tariff information.
A determination point shall not send next tariff information with a switch-over time that is more than 23 h and
45 min after the current time.
f) Format of the Charging Information.
All information issued for the same communication has to be in the same format, i.e. monetary or non-
monetary. This needs bilateral agreements between the network operators concerned.
If non-monetary formats are used, the corresponding monetary value of a non-monetary unit needs bilateral
agreements between the network operators concerned.
A CDP has to encode the tariff information in a format that can be validated by the receiving CGP.
4.3.2 Procedures at a Charge Determination Point
4.3.2.1 Procedures during communication set-up
4.3.2.1.1 Tariff indication
When a Charge Determination Point has determined that:
- the tariff which has to be activated immediately at start of charging; and/or
- the next tariff which has to be activated at an absolute switch-over time; and/or
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11 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
- the absolute switch-over time (GMT),
has to be transmitted to the charge generation point, the application process shall issue the Tariff indication.
A Tariff indication may be re-issued during communication set-up phase (i.e. at any time up to the dialog confirmation),
replacing previously issued information.
If the tariff is time dependent, then the next tariff and the absolute time at which the current tariff has to be replaced by
this next tariff shall be sent. It can be sent together with the current tariff in the initial Tariff indication. The next tariff
and the tariff switch-over time shall always be sent together.
The current tariff and the next tariff have the same tariff parameter structure, i.e. a Communication Attempt charge, a
Communication Setup charge and a Communication charge (up to a maximum of 4 communication subtariffs).
The tariff format used for the communication is indicated by the first Tariff indication and shall not be changed during
the communication.
The following clauses specify the procedures for some specific cases.
4.3.2.1.2 Communication attempt charge
The communication attempt charge is a direct charge, to be charged only for unsuccessful communications.
If a communication attempt charge is relevant to the communication, the communication attempt charge information
shall be included in the Tariff indication.
To cover the scenario in the generation point where the received absolute switch-over time has already been reached at
the receipt of the Tariff indication or just before start of charging, the communication attempt charge shall also be sent
in the first Next Tariff parameter.
In case of monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a currency factor multiplied by a currency scale.
In case of non-monetary format, the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units.
4.3.2.1.3 Communication set-up charge
The communication setup charge is a direct charge, to be charged once at start of charging.
If communication setup charge is relevant to the communication, the communication setup charge information shall be
included in the first Tariff indication.
To cover the scenario in the generation point where the received absolute switch-over time has already been reached at
the receipt of the Tariff indication or just before start of charging, the communication setup charge shall also be sent in
the first Next Tariff parameter.
In the case of monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a currency factor multiplied with a currency scale.
In the case of non-monetary-format the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units.
4.3.2.1.4 Communication charge
The communication charge is a direct charge, to be applied at start of charging.
If communication charge is relevant, this information shall be included in the first Tariff indication and before start of
charging.
a) Non-monetary-format.
In case of non-monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units to be applied
per time unit. The Communication charge is free when its value is zero.
b) Monetary-format.
In case of monetary-format, the charge amount per time unit is indicated by a currency factor multiplied by a
currency scale. The communication charging is free of charge when the product is zero.
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12 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
NOTE: With the currency-format only one fixed time unit is used. This fixed time unit is one second, according
to RFC 4006 [3].
c) Communication charge sequence.
The communication charge may be a sequence of up to 4 communication subtariffs. Except for the last
subtariff, each subtariff shall be limited by its tariff duration. The last (or single) subtariff of the sequence may
be either unlimited (tariff duration = 0) or limited.
At expiry of the tariff duration timer of the last (single) communication subtariff of the communication charge
sequence, the following options are possible:
- the communication charge sequence is re-applied; or
- the communication charge sequence is not re-applied.
The chosen option is indicated in the tariffControlIndicators.
If a communication charge sequence is relevant to the communication, the complete sequence shall be
provided.
d) Absolute switch-over time.
The absolute switch-over time is the time at which the current tariff has to be replaced by the next tariff.
The next tariff and the tariff switch-over time shall always be provided together.
e) Minimum Communication Charge at Start of Charging.
To apply a minimum communication charge in case of non-monetary format, the first subtariff of the sequence
is defined with N pulses, a duration which corresponds to the required duration and a time interval equal to
zero.
To apply a minimum communication charge in case of monetary format, the first subtariff is defined with N
currency units and a duration which corresponds to the required duration. A flag in
CommunicationChargeCurrency (subTariffControl) indicates whether the tariff is a "one time charge" for the
minimum communication charge or not.
4.3.2.2 Procedures after start of charging
The following clauses and clause 4.3.2.3 specify the procedures for some specific cases.
4.3.2.2.1 Change current tariff
The current tariff can be changed by issuing a Tariff indication with the new current tariff.
4.3.2.2.2 Add-on charging information
If a charge determination point determines that a certain amount of charge has to be added, the application process
issues an Add-on-charge indication. The current tariff is not changed.
An Add-on-charge indication is allowed after start of charging only.
The charge is either in non-monetary format or in monetary format.
The add-on charge in non-monetary-format is a number of meter-pulse units. The add-on charge in monetary format is
indicated by the currency factor multiplied by the currency scale.
4.3.2.3 Subsequent Tariff indications
In addition to the first Tariff indication, the application process in a determination point issues subsequent Tariff
indication during the communication in the following cases:
a) The current tariff is changed. A Tariff indication with the new current tariff t has to be issued immediately.
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13 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
b) The next tariff and its tariff switch-over time were not issued at communication setup. This exceptional case
occurs when the switch-over time was more than 23 h and 45 min after the moment the communication is set-
up. A Tariff indication with the next tariff and the corresponding switchover time has to be issued at least
before the switchover time.
4.3.3 Procedures at the charge generation point
The following general rule applies: Currently stored information related to one network operator is replaced by
information related to this operator received subsequently.
4.3.3.1 Procedures during communication set-up
4.3.3.1.1 Tariff indication
The receipt of the Tariff indication indicates:
- the tariff which has to be activated immediately at start of charging; or
- the next tariff which has to be activated at an absolute switch-over time; or
- the absolute switch-over time.
A Tariff indication may be received more than once during communication set-up phase (i.e. at any time up to the
dialog confirmation), replacing previously received information.
If the tariff is time dependent, then the next tariff and the absolute time at which the current tariff has to be replaced by
this next tariff will be received. They can be received together with the current tariff in the initial Tariff indication.
The current tariff and the next tariff have the same tariff parameter structure, i.e. a communication attempt charge, a
communication setup charge and a communication charge (up to a maximum of 4 communication subtariffs). The tariff
parameters have either the non-monetary format or the monetary format. The tariff-format used for the communication
is indicated by the first Tariff indication and shall not be changed during the communication.
Validation shall be performed (e.g. check of range of parameters, check of network identification).
The following clauses specify the procedures for some specific cases.
4.3.3.1.2 Communication attempt charge
The communication attempt charge is a direct charge, to be charged only for unsuccessful communications.
If a communication attempt charge is relevant to the communication, the communication attempt charge information
shall be included in the Tariff indication.
In the case of monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a currency factor multiplied by a currency scale. The
communication attempt charging shall not be performed if the product is zero or the parameter is not present.
In the case of non-monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units. The
communication attempt charging shall not be performed if the value is zero or the parameter is not present.
4.3.3.1.3 Communication setup charge
The communication setup charge is a direct charge, to be charged once at start of charging.
If a communication setup charge is relevant to the communication, the communication setup charge information is
included in the first Tariff indication.
In the case of monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a currency factor multiplied with a currency scale.
The communication setup charging shall not be performed when the product is zero or the parameter is not present.
In the case of non-monetary-format the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units. The
communication setup charge shall not be performed when the number is zero or the parameter is not present.
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14 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
4.3.3.1.4 Communication charge
The communication charge is a direct charge, to be applied at start of charging.
As part of the Current Tariff, the Communication Tariff is applied immediately at start of charging.
As part of the Next Tariff, the Communication Tariff is applied at the absolute time indicated by the absolute
switch-over time parameter. The switch procedure is a network matter.
If the absolute switch-over time given in the Tariff indication is already passed, then the communication charge of the
next tariff instead of the current tariff shall immediately be applied (see also clause 4.3.1 b).
a) Non-monetary-format.
In case of non-monetary-format, the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units to be applied
per time unit. The communication is free of charge when its value is zero.
b) Monetary-format.
In case of monetary-format, the charge amount per time unit is indicated by a currency factor multiplied by a
currency scale. The communication is free of charge when the product is zero.
NOTE: With the currency-format only one fixed time unit is used. This fixed time unit is one second, according
to RFC 4006 [3].
c) Communication charge sequence.
The communication charge may be a sequence of up to 4 communication subtariffs. Except for the last
subtariff, each subtariff shall be limited by its tariff duration. The last (or single) subtariff of the sent sequence
may be either unlimited (tariff duration = 0) or limited.
Initially, charging shall use the first subtariff. At expiry of the tariff duration timer, the subsequent subtariff
shall be applied.
At expiry of the tariff duration timer of the last (single) communication subtariff of the communication charge
sequence, the following options are possible:
- the communication charge sequence is re-applied; or
- the communication charge sequence is not re-applied.
The option to be applied is indicated in the tariffControlIndicators.
If a communication charge sequence is relevant to the communication, the complete sequence shall be
provided.
When the communication charge sequence is not re-applied, the following network provider option exists:
either the communication continues "free of charge" or the communication is released.
d) Absolute switch-over time.
The absolute switch-over time is the time at which the current tariff has to be replaced by the next tariff. In a
multi-operator environment, the procedures of how the subtariffs of the next tariff are applied are subject of
bilateral or multilateral agreements.
e) Minimum communication charge at start of charging.
To apply a minimum communication charge in case of pulse format, the first subtariff of the sequence shall
defined with N pulses, a duration which corresponds to the required duration and a time interval equal to zero.
ETSI
15 ETSI TS 183 058 V2.0.0 (2008-01)
To apply a minimum comm
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