SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005

• Abstract:

  This version takes into account changes done on ASN.1

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2004
• ICS: 33.080 - Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
• Technical Committee: SPN - Services and Protocols for Networks
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Due Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Completion Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Ref Project: ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04) - Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN); Signalling System No.7 (SS7); ISDN User Part (ISUP); Signalling aspects of charging

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 is the Slovenian standard identical to ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 for Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) charging signalling over Signalling System No. 7 (SS7). It specifies the stage-three procedures and ASN.1 data used to transfer charging-related information between a charge determination point and a charge registration or charge generation point, with an optional connection control point in between. It is intended for telecom engineers, network operators, exchange vendors, and anyone who designs, implements, or tests charging and advice-of-charge signalling.

What does SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 specify?

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 specifies how charging information is carried in ISUP signalling, including the procedures, message contents, and data encoding used between charging functions in a network. It covers both single-operator and multi-operator environments, and it explains how charging data can be transferred as direct tariff information or add-on charge information.

The document is organized into the expected standards structure:

Annex / clause area	What it covers
Clauses 1-4	Scope, references, definitions, and the overall specification structure
Clause 5	General description of the charging model and network provider options
Clause 6	Application Process functions and signalling procedures
Clause 7	Single Association Control Function (SACF) mapping and control
Clause 8	Charging Application Service Element (Charging ASE) procedures
Clause 9	ASN.1 formats and codes for application data
Clause 10	Timer information
Annex A	Signalling interworking with DSS1
Annex B	Examples
Annex C	Specification structure

What are the key requirements of SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005?

Charging model and supported charge types

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 defines charging as a transfer of tariff-related information between a charge determination point (CDP) and a charge registration point (CRP) or charge generation point (CGP), with an optional connection control point (CCP). In practice, this means implementers must support the signalling path that carries tariffs, add-on charges, and acknowledgement information for a call or service.

The standard supports these charging functions:

• call attempt charge for unsuccessful calls
• call setup charge at the start of charging
• communication charge with current and next tariffs
• immediate tariff changes
• add-on charging without changing the current tariff
• advice of charge versus subscriber charging handling
• stop/start charging for separate connection configurations

Tariff handling and timing

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 allows a tariff to include a communication charge sequence of up to four subtariffs, plus optional call attempt and call setup charges. Tariff information is carried either in meter-pulse format or currency format, and the format used for a call must stay consistent for that call. For readers, this means billing and charging systems must agree on one representation before they exchange tariff data.

The document also places timing rules on tariff changes:

• a next tariff and its absolute switch-over time are always sent together
• the switch-over time for a next tariff cannot be more than 23 hours and 45 minutes ahead when first sent
• a later next tariff update must arrive at least 12 minutes before the planned switch-over time
• if a switch-over time has already passed, the applicable next tariff is activated immediately

These rules matter because charging nodes must hold valid future tariff data early enough to avoid billing gaps or inconsistent charge application.

Charging control, acknowledgements, and error handling

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 uses charging control indicators and acknowledgements to tell the receiving side what the information is for and whether it was accepted. The indicators distinguish advice-of-charge use from subscriber charging use, and they also control whether an immediate tariff change restarts charging or continues it.

Each CRGT, AOCRG, START, or STOP transaction is acknowledged. The sending side starts timer Tcrga while waiting for confirmation, and the standard gives the network provider a choice in exceptional cases: either release the call or continue it. In practice, this means the network must decide how to behave when charging signalling fails and must also notify maintenance systems when timer expiry or a charging error occurs.

Connection control and multiple network operators

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 allows several CDPs for one call, but limits the number of network operators sending charging-related information to six. The CCP passes charging information through, stores the NetworkIdentification, and uses START and STOP when charging must begin or end without clearing the full call.

This matters for complex call setups such as calls with multiple connection configurations, follow-on calls, announcements, rerouting, or conferences. If a connection is kept while charging is stopped or started, the CCP must send the correct START or STOP primitive rather than relying only on the basic ISUP call messages.

Identifiers and validation

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 defines Charging Reference Identifiers (CRI) and the originationIdentification/destinationIdentification pair used to map messages between sending and receiving directions. The identifiers remain constant for the life of the call or tariff determination instance. For implementers, that means charging records and acknowledgements must be traceable across the whole signalling exchange.

The document also requires validation in the charge generation/registration path, including checks such as parameter range and network identification. If coding is wrong, if a mandatory parameter is missing, or if an unsupported network/operator value appears, the receiving side returns a negative acknowledgement.

What terms does SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 define?

• charge determination point - The point that decides which tariff or add-on charge should apply.
• charge registration point - The exchange that stores charging information for later charging, such as in meter-pulse counters or Call Data Records (CDR).
• charge generation point - The exchange where charging is performed online by converting tariff per time into cost.
• connection control point - An exchange that controls calls with multiple connection configurations, such as rerouting or conferences.
• tariff sequence - A list of up to four consecutive subtariffs used to charge a communication event.
• Charging Reference Identifier (CRI) - The identifier used to uniquely track a tariff determination instance or connection control instance.
• Application Transport Mechanism (APM) - The transport layer used to carry the charging application data between signalling entities.

Who uses SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005?

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 is used by telecom network operators, interconnect engineers, and exchange manufacturers who need to exchange charging data through SS7/ISUP signalling. It is also relevant to billing system designers, service providers, and test teams that must verify advice of charge, subscriber charging, tariff switching, and add-on charge behaviour.

In practice, users apply it when they:

• design charging and billing signalling between network nodes
• configure tariffs for calls that cross operator boundaries
• test call setup, answer, release, and tariff switchover behaviour
• implement Charging ASE, APM, and SACF mappings in exchanges
• troubleshoot negative acknowledgements, timer expiry, or charging errors

What changed in SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 from the previous edition?

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 is identical to ETSI ES 201 296 Version 1.3.1. The scope states that this version takes into account changes made to ASN.1.

Which standards are used with SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005?

Reference	What it contributes
ETSI EN 300 356-1	ISUP basic services for the international interface
ETSI EN 301 069-1	The Application Transport Mechanism (APM) used to carry the charging application data
ITU-T X.680	ASN.1 basic notation
ITU-T X.681	ASN.1 information object specification
ITU-T X.682	ASN.1 constraint specification
ITU-T X.683	ASN.1 parameterization
ITU-T Q.1400	OSI-based signalling and OA&M protocol framework
ITU-T X.690	ASN.1 encoding rules, including BER

What does the SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 document contain?

SIST ES 201 296 V1.3.1:2005 contains the signalling procedures, primitive mappings, and ASN.1 module needed to carry charging data in ISUP. Clause 9 gives the Tariffing-Data-Types module, which defines the data structures for tariffs, acknowledgements, add-on charges, identifiers, timers, and coding rules for currency and pulse formats.

It also includes tables for primitive interfaces between the Application Process, SACF, Charging ASE, and APM ASE, plus timer guidance for Tcrga. Annex B provides worked signalling examples for tariff switching and immediate tariff changes, while Annex C shows the overall specification structure.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2005
'LJLWDOQRRPUHåMH]LQWHJULUDQLPLVWRULWYDPL,6'1±6LJQDOL]DFLMDãW±,6'1
XSRUDEQLãNLGHO,683±6LJQDOL]DFLMVNLYLGLNL]DUDþXQDYDQMD
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN); Signalling System No.7 (SS7); ISDN User
Part (ISUP); Signalling aspects of charging
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ES 201 296 Version 1.3.1
ICS:
33.080 Digitalno omrežje z Integrated Services Digital
integriranimi storitvami Network (ISDN)
(ISDN)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

ETSI Standard
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN);
Signalling System No.7 (SS7);
ISDN User Part (ISUP);
Signalling aspects of charging

2 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)

Reference
RES/SPAN-130315
Keywords
ISDN, SS7, ISUP, charging
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ETSI
3 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights.5
Foreword.5
1 Scope.6
2 References.7
3 Definitions and abbreviations.7
3.1 Definitions.7
3.2 Abbreviations.8
4 Specification structure.9
5 Description.10
5.1 General description.10
5.2 Network provider option .11
6 Application Process functions.11
6.1 Procedures at a Charge Determination Point.11
6.1.1 Procedures during call set-up.12
6.1.1.1 CRGT request primitive.12
6.1.1.2 Call attempt charge .12
6.1.1.3 Call set-up charge.12
6.1.1.4 Communication charge.13
6.1.2 Procedures after start of charging .13
6.1.2.1 Change current tariff .13
6.1.2.2 Provide or change the next tariff and the tariff switch-over time.14
6.1.2.3 Delete the previously issued next tariff and tariff switch-over time .14
6.1.2.4 Add-on charging information.14
6.1.3 Subsequent CRGT request primitives.14
6.1.4 Acknowledgement and timer Tcrga.14
6.1.5 Advice of charge/subscriber charging.15
6.1.6 Application Transport Instruction Indicators.15
6.1.7 Exceptional procedures.15
6.2 Procedures at the Connection Control Point.15
6.2.1 Procedures during call Set-up .16
6.2.1.1 CRGT indication primitive .16
6.2.2 Procedure at start of charge.16
6.2.3 Procedure after start of charge .16
6.2.3.1 Add-on charging information.16
6.2.3.2 CRGT indication primitive .16
6.2.4 Procedure at stop of charge.16
6.2.5 Acknowledgement and timer Tcrga.17
6.2.6 Application Transport Instruction Indicators.17
6.2.7 Exceptional procedures.17
6.3 Procedures at the charge registration or charge generation point .18
6.3.1 Procedures during call set-up.18
6.3.1.1 CRGT indication primitive .18
6.3.1.2 Call attempt charge .19
6.3.1.3 Call setup charge.19
6.3.1.4 Communication charge.19
6.3.2 Procedures after start of charge.20
6.3.2.1 Change current tariff .20
6.3.2.2 Provide or change the next tariff and the tariff switch-over time.22
6.3.2.3 Delete the previously received next tariff and tariff switch-over time.22
6.3.2.4 Add-on charging information.22
6.3.3 Subsequent CRGT indication primitives .22
6.3.4 Procedure at start of charge.23
6.3.5 STOP indication primitive .23
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4 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
6.3.6 Acknowledgement.23
6.3.7 Advice of charge/subscriber charging.23
6.3.8 Activation of next tariff at start of charge.23
6.3.9 Exceptional procedures.24
6.3.10 Error indication primitive .25
6.4 Handling of identifiers.25
6.4.1 CRGT and AOCRG primitives.25
6.4.1.1 Identifiers in CRGT and AOCRG primitives.25
6.4.1.2 Assignment and use of identifiers .25
6.4.2 START and STOP primitives .26
6.4.2.1 Identifiers in START and STOP primitives .26
6.4.2.2 Assignment and use of identifiers .26
6.5 Primitive interface.26
6.6 ISUP basic call compatibility instruction indicators .27
7 Single association control function .27
7.1 Introduction.27
7.2 Outgoing messages.27
7.3 Incoming messages.28
8 Charging ASE.28
8.1 Introduction.28
8.2 Primitive interface.28
8.3 Signalling procedures.28
8.3.1 Outgoing direction.28
8.3.2 Incoming direction.29
8.3.3 Primitive contents.29
9 Formats and codes of application data .29
10 Timers.36
Annex A (informative): Signalling interworking with DSS1.37
Annex B (informative): Examples.38
B.1 Introduction.38
B.2 Examples.39
Annex C (informative): Specification Structure.46
History .47

ETSI
5 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
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).
All published ETSI deliverables shall include information which directs the reader to the above source of information.
Foreword
This ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Services and Protocols for Advanced
Networks (SPAN).
ETSI
6 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
1 Scope
The present document specifies the stage three of the transfer of charging related information between a charge
determination point and a charge registration or charge generation point by means of the Signalling System No.7
protocol. Additionally a connection control point may be located between determination point and a charge registration
or charge generation point. Stage three identifies the protocol procedures and switching functions needed to support a
feature.
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:
- which currency is used;
- capabilities that require a translation function of currencies or for the translation of currencies into metering
pulses;
- with an analogue access with pulse metering, no distinction can be made between pulses resulting from
charges imposed by different operators;
- the on-line provided advice of charge information may not accurately reflect the correct charging rate due to
discount rates, special charging arrangements, etc.;
- in association with these charging procedures, changes of the ISDN AoC supplementary services may be
required for the identification of the network operator;
- new services like B-ISDN and new IN call concepts are not fully considered in the present document;
especially the relay of charging information within configurations with more than one 'B' subscriber at the
same time
(e.g. conference calls) is not supported;
- no interworking is covered with existing implementations making use of implicit information elements
pointing to locally available charging data;
- complaint handling between network operators in case of incorrect advice of charge information;
- explicit encryption or special security mechanisms.
This application makes use of the Application Transport Mechanism (APM) described in [2]. The present document
specifies the respective user, i.e. the APM-user, to support the transfer of charging related information.
ETSI
7 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.
• 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.
• For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
[1] ETSI EN 300 356-1 (V3.2.2): "Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN); Signalling System
No.7; ISDN User Part (ISUP) version 3 for the international interface; Part 1: Basic services
[ITU-T Recommendations Q.761 to Q.764 (1997), modified]".
[2] ETSI EN 301 069-1: "Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN); Signalling System No.7 (SS7);
ISDN User Part (ISUP); Application transport mechanism; Part 1: Protocol specification
[ITU-T Recommendation Q.765, modified]".
[3] ITU-T Recommendation X.680: "Information technology - Abstract Syntax Notation One
(ASN.1): Specification of basic notation".
[4] ITU-T Recommendation X.681: "Information technology - Abstract Syntax Notation One
(ASN.1): Information object specification".
[5] ITU-T Recommendation X.682: "Information technology - Abstract Syntax Notation One
(ASN.1): Constraint specification".
[6] ITU-T Recommendation X.683: "Information technology - Abstract Syntax Notation One
(ASN.1): Parameterization of ASN.1 specifications".
[7] ITU-T Recommendation Q.1400: "Architecture framework for the development of signalling and
OA&M protocols using OSI concepts".
[8] ITU-T Recommendation X.690: "Information technology - ASN.1 encoding rules: Specification of
basic encoding Rules (BER), Canonical encoding rules (CER) and Distinguished encoding rules
(DER)".
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply:
absolute time: time of the day representing GMT
add-on charge: single additional charge which does not change the current tariff
charge: number of charge units (for the usage of a chargeable event (telecommunication service))
charge determination point: point is a point (exchange or IN-SCP/Service provider) that determines which
tariff/add-on charge should be applied
charge generation point: exchange where online charging is performed (i.e. conversion of tariff per time to cost),
e.g. the originating local exchange for advice of charge purposes
ETSI
8 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
charge registration point: exchange that collects the information to be used for the actual charging of the call or
service (either on meter-pulse counters or in call data records)
charge unit: base element for the charging process, expressed as meter-pulse units or as currency value
charging: calculation of the number of charge units, based on the chargeable event and its corresponding add-on
charge/tariff
connection control point: connection control point is an exchange (e.g. IN-SSP) which controls calls which consist of
multiple connection configurations (e.g. calls with introducing announcements, re-routing, follow-on, conferences)
start of charge: point in time where the condition to start charging are fulfilled, e.g. the connection between two
subscribers is established
NOTE: Within the most networks charging is started directly with receipt of the Answer message. Each network
operator - or in case of application of the charging messages over network boundaries each of the
involved network operators - has to define the conditions for starting charging individually. However all
the definitions base on the receipt of some kind of "connected" information.
stop of charge: point in time where the condition to stop charging is fulfilled, e.g. the connection between two
subscribers is cleared
NOTE: Within the most networks charging is stopped directly on receipt of the Release message.
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 used for charging purposes to calculate the numbering charge units for the telecommunication
service or a group of telecommunication services used
NOTE: 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 up to 4 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:
AE Application Entity
AEI Application Entity Instance
ALS Application Layer Structure
AOC-E Advice Of Charge at the End of the call
AOCRG Add-On ChaRGing information
AP Application Process
APM APplication transport Mechanism
ASE Application Service Element
ATII Application Transport Instruction Indicators
BER Basic Encoding Rules
CCP Connection Control Point
CDP Charge Determination Point
CDR Call Data Record
CGP Charge Generation Point
CRGA ChaRGing Acknowledgement information
CRGT ChaRGing Tariff information
CRI Charging Reference Identifier
CRP Charge Registration Point
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9 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
ID IDentification
ISUP ISDN User Part
MTP Message Transfer Part
NI Network Interface
OLE Originating Line Exchange
OSI Open System Interconnection
SACF Single Association Control Function
4 Specification structure
The description of the ISDN User Part procedures in the present document is structured according to figure C.1 in
annex C. The present document uses OSI ALS specification techniques described in [7].
The description is thus divided into two main parts:
• protocol functions;
• non-protocol functions, i.e. exchange nodal functions; this is referred to as the "Application Process".
The present document describes only the part of the total Application Process and protocol functions in the exchange
that relates to the transfer of charging related information between a charge determination point and a charge
registration or charge generation point.
The protocol functions are subdivided into three parts: Charging ASE, Application Transport Mechanism (APM ASE)
and ISUP Basic Call (ISUP ASE). These are co-ordinated by the Single Association Control Function (SACF).
The ISUP ASE is defined in [1]. It is not the intention of the present document to re-define ISUP [1] in ALS format.
The Application Transport Mechanism is specified in [2].
The Charging ASE is a user of the services offered by the APM ASE. It is responsible for preparing the charging
information in a form that can be transported by the Application Transport Mechanism.
This separation of the procedural description provides a logical and convenient document structure but does not imply
that the ISUP protocol itself is separated: e.g. in the context of the present document, the Initial Address message
always signifies the simultaneous set-up of a bearer and an associated call.
The service primitive technique, used to define the ASEs and the SACF specific to the application's signalling needs, is
a way of describing how the services offered by an ASE, or SACF - the provider of (a set) of service(s) - can be
accessed by the user of the service(s) - the SACF or the Application Process, respectively.
The service primitive interface is a conceptual one and is not a testable or accessible interface. It is a descriptive tool.
The use of service primitives at an interface does not imply any particular implementation of that interface, nor does it
imply that an implementation shall conform to that particular service primitive interface to provide the stated service.
All conformance to the ISUP specifications is based on the external behaviour at a node, i.e. on the generation of the
correct message structure (as specified in [1]), operation structure (as specified in the present document) and in the
proper sequence (as specified in [1] and the present document).
The interfaces between SACF and APM ASE, to ISUP basic call signalling ASE, between SACF and NI, and to MTP-3
are described in [2].
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10 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
5 Description
5.1 General description
The present document specifies the procedures for the transfer of charging related information between a charge
determination point, a connection control point and a charge registration or charge generation point (see also annex B).
A charge determination, connection control, charge registration and charge generation point of the call 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 call is possible. It is assumed that there is only one
CGP for the call. Moreover, it is assumed for the present document that there is either one CRP for each CDP or one
CRP for all CDPs.
The transferred tariff information represents direct tariff or add-on charge (no pointers to charging data), either in
meter-pulse format or in currency format. The interworking with the conversion into chargeband numbers or
meter-pulse units is not supported.
The following functionality is provided:
i) apply a call attempt charge for unsuccessful calls;
ii) apply a call 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 call;
iv) change immediately the current tariff;
v) change the next tariff at an absolute time during the call;
vi) change immediately the current tariff and change the next tariff at an absolute time during the call;
vii) delete the next tariff and the corresponding absolute switchover time;
viii) apply immediately an add-on charge (either a number of pulses or an amount of currency) during the call. This
add-on charge is additive and does not change the tariff in force;
ix) acknowledge the received charging information;
x) 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);
xi) perform validation (e.g. check range of parameters, check whether a request from a certain network operator
can be accepted);
xii) apply a "one time charge" (i.e. non-periodic charge/flat rate) as a minimum communication charge at start of
charging;
xiii) stop charge generation/registration for a Tariff that belongs to a operator at the end of a connection
configuration without clearing the complete call, that means connection A-party to CCP shall be kept;
xiv) invoke and start charge generation/registration for a Tariff that belongs to an operator for a connection
configuration independent of the existing ISUP messages (e.g. Address complete, Answer).
The charging information is encapsulated in the Application Transport parameter with the application context identifier
"Charging ASE".
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11 ETSI ES 201 296 V1.3.1 (2003-04)
5.2 Network provider option
Table 1 summarizes the network provider options.
Table 1: Network provider option
Option Reference Value
Behaviour in unsuccessful cases Clauses 6.1.7, 6.2.7, 6.4 Value 1: Release call
Value 2: Continue call
Behaviour when communication Clause 6.3.1.4 c) Value 1: Call continues "free of charge"
charge sequence is not re-applied Value 2: Call is released

6 Application Process functions
6.1 Procedures at a Charge Determination Point
a) Sending of next tariff information
A determination point shall not send next tariff information with a switch-over time that is more than 23 hours
and 45 minutes after the current time.
b) Several Charge Determination Points
The configuration of several charge determination points for one call is possible.
Up to six network operators may send charging related information for one call. They are identified up to
"network" in NetworkIdentification.
NOTE: This limitation of six network operators is set because of operational reasons.
If a charge determination point receives an Application Transport parameter with the application context
identifier set to "Charging", the application process shall decide as to whether the information is passed on
unchanged or modified.
The application process in a charge determination point may modify information received from a subsequent
charge determination point in the following cases:
- the information is received from another network operator and bilateral agreements exist; or
- if the information comes from the same network.
In all other cases, the received information shall be passed on unchanged.
If the received information is modified, this charge determination point shall acknowledge the request from the
subsequent charge determination point and shall insert its own originationIdentification in the request towards
the charge registration point/charge generation point.
c) Format of the Charging Information
All information issued for the same call has to be in the same format, i.e. currency or pulse. This needs
bilateral agreements between the network operators concerned.
If pulses are used, the corresponding currency value of a pulse needs bilateral agreements between the network
operators concerned.
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6.1.1 Procedures during call set-up
6.1.1.1 CRGT request primitive
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
- the absolute switch-over time (GMT),
has to be transmitted to the charge registration or charge generation point, the application process shall issue the CRGT
request primitive.
A CRGT request primitive may be re-issued during call set-up phase (i.e. at any time up to the Answer message),
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 CRGT request primitive. 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 Call Attempt charge, a Call Setup
charge and a Communication charge (up to a maximum of 4 communication subtariffs).
The tariff parameters have either the meter-pulse format or the currency format. The tariff format used for the call is
indicated by the first CRGT request primitive and shall not be changed during the call.
Clauses 6.1.1.2 to 6.1.1.4 specify the procedures for some specific cases.
6.1.1.2 Call attempt charge
The Call Attempt charge is a direct charge, to be charged only for unsuccessful calls.
If a call attempt charge is relevant to the call, the Call Attempt charge information shall be included in the CRGT
request primitive.
To cover the scenario in the charge registration or generation point where the received absolute switch-over time has
already been reached at the receipt of the CRGT indication primitive or just before start of charging, the Call Attempt
charge shall also be sent in the first Next Tariff parameter.
In case of currency-format, the charge amount is indicated by a currency factor multiplied by a currency scale.
In case of meter-pulse-format, the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units.
6.1.1.3 Call set-up charge
The Call Setup charge is a direct charge, to be charged once at start of charging.
If Call Setup charge is relevant to the call, the Call Setup charge information shall be included in the first CRGT request
primitive.
To cover the scenario in the charge registration or generation point where the received absolute switch-over time has
already been reached at the receipt of the CRGT indication primitive or just before start of charging, the Call Setup
charge shall also be sent in the first Next Tariff parameter.
In the case of currency-format, the charge amount is indicated by a currency factor multiplied with a currency scale.
In the case of meter-pulse-format the charge amount is indicated by a number of meter-pulse units.
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6.1.1.4 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 CRGT request primitive and before
start of charging.
a) Meter-pulse-format
In case of meter-pulse-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) Currency-format
In case of currency-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.
NOTE: With the currency-format only one fixed time unit is used. This time unit has to be agreed between all
co-operating networks, e.g. one second. Being fixed, the time unit is not transferred.
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 call, 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 pulse 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 currency 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.
6.1.2 Procedures after start of charging
Clauses 6.1.2.1 to 6.1.2.4 and clause 6.1.3 specify the procedures for some specific cases.
6.1.2.1 Change current tariff
The current tariff can be changed by issuing a CRGT request primitive with the new current tariff.
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6.1.2.2 Provide or change the next tariff and the tariff switch-over time
If during the call a tariff switch-over is performed at an indicated absolute switch-over time and a next tariff switch-over
is defined, then this subsequent next tariff has to be available at least before the next tariff switch. This is performed by
issuing a CRGT request primitive with the new next tariff and the next tariff switch-over time at least 12 minutes before
the next switch-over time.
The same procedure is used to change/replace the stored next tariff and tariff switch-over time.
6.1.2.3 Delete the previously issued next tariff and tariff switch-over time
By issuing a CRGT request primitive with current tariff information only, the application process in a charge
determination point indicates that a stored next tariff and its corresponding tariff switch-over time has to be deleted.
6.1.2.4 Add-on charging information
If a charge determination point determines that a certain amount of charge has to be added, the application process issue
an AOCRG request primitive. The current tariff is not changed.
An AOCRG request primitive is allowed after start of charging only.
The charge is either in meter-pulse format or in currency format.
The add-on charge in meter-pulse-format is a number of meter-pulse units. The add-on charge in currency format is
indicated by the currency factor multiplied by the currency scale.
6.1.3 Subsequent CRGT request primitives
In addition to the first CRGT request primitive, the application process in a determination point issues subsequent
CRGT request primitives during the call in the following cases:
a) The current tariff is changed. A CRGT request primitive with the new current tariff together with the next
tariff and its switch-over time has to be issued immediately.
b) The next tariff is changed. A CRGT request primitive with the new next tariff and the corresponding
switch-over time has to be issued at least before the corresponding switch-over time.
c) The next tariff switch-over is modified. This is performed via the replacement by the first subsequent tariff
switch-over. I.e. a CRGT request primitive with the new switch-over time and the corresponding next tariff
will be issued at least 12 minutes before the next switch-over time in the registration point.
If however there is no more next tariff switch-over, or the next tariff switch time is more than 23 hours and
45 minutes ahead, the tariff switch-over shall be deleted by issuing a CRGT request primitive with only the
current tariff.
d) The next tariff and its tariff switch-over time was not issued at call setup. This exceptional case occurs when
the switch-over time was more than 23 hours and 45 minutes after the moment the call is set-up. A CRGT
request primitive with the next tariff and the corresponding switchover time has to be issued at least before the
switchover time.
6.1.4 Acknowledgement and timer Tcrga
On issuing of a CRGT request primitive or AOCRG request primitive, the application process in a charge determination
exchange shall start the timer Tcrga awaiting the CRGT confirmation or AOCRG confirmation primitive, respectively,
representing the acknowledgement. On receipt of the acknowledgement, i.e. the CRGT confirmation or AOCRG
confirmation primitive, the timer Tcrga shall be cancelled.
If Tcrga is still running, awaiting the acknowledgement to a previous CRGT request primitive or AOCRG request
primitive, a new CRGT request primitive or AOCRG request primitive shall not be issued until an acknowledgement
has been received or Tcrga expires.
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NOTE: In the exchange of a charge determination point, there may be a need to delay the sending of the Initial
Address message until the acknowledgement to a CRGT request primitive on the incoming leg of the call
has been received.
6.1.5 Advice of charge/subscriber charging
The "Charging Control Indicator" information has to be included in the CRGT or AOCRG request primitive. Value
"advice of charge" is provided if the charging information shall be used for advice of charge purposes only. Value
"subscriber charging" is provided if the charging information shall be used for subscriber charging purposes and may
also be used for advice of charge purposes.
6.1.6 Application Transport Instruction Indicators
According to [2], the Application Tra
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