Patent ID: 6307924
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
A method of charging for services in a communications system (IS) consisting of two or more communications networks (KN1 to KN4) of different network operators (OP1 to OP4), wherein for a connection whose establishment was initiated by a subscriber (A) of a first communications network (KN1) of the communications system, one or more services are provided by network nodes (N3 to N5; N6 to N8; N9 to N12) of a second communications network (KN2; KN3; KN4) of the communications system (KS), characterized in thateach of t he network nodes (N3 to N5; N6 to N8; N9 to N12) of the second communications network (KN2; KN3; KN4) which provide services for the connection determines a charge (Waaa to Wzzz, Baaa to Beee) assigned to the service provided,in that charges (Waaa to Wccc) are signaled from network nodes of the second communications network to a first gateway node (GN2) of the second communications network which is assigned to the connection in the direction of the first communications network (KN1) and which signals (Weee) the charges signaled to it onward to the first communications network (KN1),in that each network node (N3) is chosen to comprise a first control unit (CAL) which is so designed that, if the network node provides a service for a connection whose establishment was initiated by the subscriber (A) of the first communications network (KN1) of the communications system (KS), it determines the charge (W) assigned to the service provided, andin that the network node (N3) further is chosen to comprise a second control unit (SIG1) which is designed to signal charges (W) to the first gateway node (GN2) of the second communications network (KN2) which is assigned to the connection in the direction of the first communication network (KN1) and which signals (Weee) the charges signaled to it onward to the first communications network (KN1).