Patent ID: 7725097

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving at a communications network charging entity a charging identity identifying a connection initiated by a communication terminal, the connection being supported by a first connection support entity and a second connection support entity; receiving at the communications network charging entity a first charging message from the first connection support entity, the first charging message specifying a first tariff and including the charging identity; receiving at the communications network charging entity a second charging message from the second connection support entity, the second charging message specifying a second tariff and including the charging identity; storing in the communications network charging entity the first tariff and the second tariff; the communications network charging entity performing the steps of determining according to the first stored tariff a first charge for the support of the connection by the first connection support entity; determining according to the second stored tariff a second charge for the support of the connection by the second connection support entity; and periodically estimating a charge for the connection according to the first and second charges and comparing the estimated charge with the balance of an account to which the connection is to be charged; and dividing a total estimate charge into at least two portions and comparing one of those portions to a first account and the second of those portions to a second account.