Patent ID: 8769098

Claim:
A method for role determination of a first Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) in a network visited by a roaming terminal having a subscription in a home network, where the first PCRF has determined that the terminal is roaming into the network, the method comprising: retrieving an address of a second PCRF in the home network by the first PCRF; checking if a roaming agreement exists with the home network; when the roaming agreement exists: taking the visiting network PCRF (V-PCRF) role by the first PCRF and negotiating a mode of operation with the second PCRF by the first PCRF, and the first PCRF assumes the negotiated mode of operations; when the negotiated mode of operation is full local mode or limited local mode, receiving, from the second PCRF, a set of rules to be enforced for the roaming terminal in the visited network, by the first PCRF; when the mode of operation is the full local mode, enforcing the received rules together with local operator rules for fair usage; and when the mode of operation is the limited local mode, enforcing the received rules without applying local operator rules for fair usage; and when the roaming agreement does not exist and local policies in the network allow limited access, assume limited PCRF role.