Implementing an intelligent network service for a packet-switched service using a node interfacing a mobile communications network to a packet data network

• US 20030031160A1
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Van de Velde, Thierry, Gibson Ang, Soon Teck, Feng, Jie
• Granted Patent: US 7,609,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/349
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/349 Rechargeable cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1457 using an account
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1467 involving prepayment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1096 Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/53 using mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 : Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/82 : Criteria or parameters used for performing billing operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8228 : Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/85 : characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/851 : Determined tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/853 : Calculate maximum communication time or volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 : Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 : using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 : Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/10 : Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 : with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/204 : on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/24 : with on-line recharging of an account or card, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/26 : with real-time recharging of account/card, e.g. if limit is reached during connection user is asked if he wants to recharge or not
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 : Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 : Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 : On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0172 : Mediation, i.e. device or program to reformat CDRS from one or more switches in order to adapt to one or more billing programs formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/204 : UMTS; GPRS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 : IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 : Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/78 : Metric aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7833 : Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/815 : Notification when a specific condition, service or event is met
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8162 : Calculate maximum communication time or volume
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 : Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/04 : Interfaces between hierarchically different network devices

Abstract

A module interfaces a mobile communications network to a packet data network and is capable of implementing an Intelligent Network Service, for example, prepaid charging, for a packet-switched service for subscribers of the mobile communications network. A network interface module operative as such may obviate a need to configure (e.g., replace or upgrade) a packet-switching module so that the packet-switching module can implement one or more Intelligent Network Services. A network interface module may be operative to implement such prepaid charging in real-time. The network interface module may determine both a count and a time period from the prepaid balance, and compare the number of information units exchanged during the service and the duration of the service against the count and time period, respectively. An entry for a subscriber in a Subscriber Information Registry of a home mobile communications network may be defined such that when a subscriber roams into a visited mobile communications network, the network interface module of the home mobile communications network is used to implement a session between the mobile terminal of the subscriber and a node of a packet data network. As a result, one or more Intelligent Network Services (e.g., prepaid charging) for packet-switched services may be provided for the subscriber as the subscriber roams in other mobile communications networks. A Service Switching Function module of an mobile communications network may be operative to implement an Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services by exchanging communications with an Service Switching Function module operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service only for circuit-switched voice services. Implementation of an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service may be toggled between a packet-switching module and a network interface module, for example, in response to the packet-switched service being handed-off to or from the packet-switching module.

Claims

1. A method of implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a first mobile communications network having an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network, the method comprising an act of:

(A) implementing the Intelligent Network Service on the interface module for a session between a subscriber of the first mobile communications network and a node located on the packet data network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications network includes a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, wherein act (A) further comprises:

exchanging one or more packets between the interface module and the service control function module to implement the Intelligent Network Service for the session.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein act (A) comprises:

transmitting a packet from the interface module to the service control function module in response to an event associated with the session.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the service control function module is operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service for circuit-switched voice services in accordance with at least one of Phase One of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic and Phase Two of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic, wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(B) implementing the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services on the interface module in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile communications network further comprises a subscriber information register including an entry storing subscriber information for a subscriber to the first mobile communications network, the entry to be accessed in response to the subscriber attaching to the first mobile communications network or another mobile communications network, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(B) defining the entry such that if the subscriber roams into a second mobile communications network and initiates a session with a node located on the packet data network, the session is established using the interface module of the first mobile communications network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(B) metering at the interface module a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the first mobile communications network and another party during the session.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising an act of:

(B) converting, at the interface module, circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein act (B) comprises:

converting an amount of time to a count.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and the interface module is operative to implement a Gi interface between the first mobile communications network and the packet data network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and the interface module comprises at least part of a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support Function module.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a Code-Division Multiple Access network and the interface module is at least part of a Packet Data Serving Node.

14. A system for implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a first mobile communications network, the system comprising:

an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and is operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service for a session between a subscriber to the first mobile communications network and a node located on the packet data network.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the mobile communications network includes a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, and wherein the interface module is operative to exchange one or more packets with the service control function module to implement the Intelligent Network Service for the session.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the interface module is further operative to transmit a packet from the interface module to the service control function module in response to an event associated with the session.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the service control function module is operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service for circuit-switched voice services in accordance with at least one of Phase Two and Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic, and

wherein the interface module is operative to convert the circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

19. The system of claim, 17 wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a subscriber information register that has an entry storing subscriber information for a subscriber to the first mobile communications network, wherein the entry to be accessed in response to the subscriber attaching to the first mobile communications network or another mobile communications network, and wherein the entry is defined such that if the subscriber roams into a second mobile communications network and initiates a session with a node located on the packet data network, the session will be established using the interface module.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the interface module is operative to meter a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the first mobile communications network and another party during the session.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the interface module is operative to convert circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the interface module is further operative to convert an amount of time to a count.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and the interface module is operative to implement a Gi interface between the first mobile communications network and the packet data network.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and wherein the interface node comprises at least part of a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support Function module.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a Code-Division Multiple Access network and the interface module is at least part of a Packet Data Serving Node.

27. A system for implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a first mobile communications network, the system comprising:

an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network; and

means for implementing the Intelligent Network Service for a session between a subscriber to the first mobile communications network and a node located on the packet data network.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the mobile communications network includes a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, wherein act (A) further comprises:

means for exchanging one or more packets between the interface module and the service control function module to implement the Intelligent Network Service for the session.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the interface module comprises:

means for transmitting a packet from the interface module to the service control function module in response to an event associated with the session.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the service control function module is operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service for circuit-switched voice services in accordance with at least one of Phase One and Phase Two of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic for circuit-switched voice services, and

wherein the interface module comprises means for implementing the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

33. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

a subscriber information register that includes an entry storing subscriber information for a subscriber to the first mobile communications network, wherein the entry to be accessed in response to the subscriber attaching to the first mobile communications network or another mobile communications network, and wherein the entry is defined such that, if the subscriber roams into a second mobile communications network and initiates a session with a node located on the packet data network, the session will be established using the interface module.

34. The system of claim 27, wherein the interface module comprises:

means for metering a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the first mobile communications network and another party during the session.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein the interface module comprises means for converting circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the means for converting the circuit-based parameters comprises:

means for converting an amount of time to a count.

37. The system of claim 27, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and the interface module is operative to implement a Gi interface between the first mobile communications network and the packet data network.

38. The system of claim 27, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and wherein the interface module comprises at least part of a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support Function module.

39. The system of claim 27, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a Code-Division Multiple Access network and the interface module is at least part of a Packet Data Serving Node.

49. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein act (B) comprises:

converting an amount of time to a count.

40. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

computer readable signals stored on the computer readable medium that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a process of implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a first mobile communications network an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network, the process comprising an act of;

(A) implementing the Intelligent Network Service for a session between a subscriber to the first mobile communications network and a node located on the packet data network.

41. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the mobile communications network includes a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, and wherein act (A) further comprises:

exchanging one or more packets between the interface module and the service control function module to implement the Intelligent Network Service for the session.

42. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein act (A) comprises:

transmitting a packet from the interface module to the service control function module in response to an event associated with the session.

43. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein the service control function module is configured to implement the Intelligent Network Service for circuit-switched voice services in accordance with at least one of Phase One and Phase Two of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic, wherein the process further comprises an act of:

(B) implementing the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services on the interface module in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

44. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

45. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

46. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the first mobile communications network further comprises a subscriber information register that includes an entry storing subscriber information for a subscriber to the first mobile communications network, wherein the entry to be accessed in response to the subscriber attaching to the first mobile communications network or another mobile communications network, and wherein the process further comprises an act of:

(B) defining the entry such that if the subscriber roams into a second mobile communications network and initiates a session with a node located on the packet data network, the session will be established using the interface module of the first mobile communications network.

47. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the process further comprises an act of:

(B) metering at the interface module a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the first mobile communications network and a location of another party during the session.

48. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the process further comprises:

(B) converting, at the interface module, circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

50. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and the interface module is operative to implement a Gi interface between the first mobile communications network and the packet data network.

51. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises General Packet Radio Service network or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network, and the interface node comprises at least a part of a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support Function module of the General Packet Radio Service network.

52. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the first mobile communications network comprises a Code-Division Multiple Access network and the interface module is at least as part of a Packet Data Serving Node.

53. A method of implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a mobile communications network having a first module, the method comprising acts of:

(A) receiving an Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module, the Intelligent Network Service packet comprising circuit-based parameters for implementing the Intelligent Network Service; and

(B) converting the circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the mobile communications network has a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, and act (A) further comprises:

(A) receiving the Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module from the service control function module.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein act (B) comprises:

converting an amount of time to a count.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising an act of:

(C) metering a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the mobile communications network and another party during a session; and

(D) comparing the number of information units exchanged with the count converted from the amount of time.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the first module is an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the mobile communications network.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

60. The method of claim 53, wherein the Intelligent Network Service packet is configured in accordance with either Phase One of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic for circuit-switched voice services or Phase Two of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic for circuit-switched voice services, wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(C) implementing the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

78. The computer program product of claim 53, wherein the mobile communications network has a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, and act (A) further comprises:

(A) receiving the Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module from the service control function module.

61. A system for implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a mobile communications network, the system comprising:

a first module having an input to receive an Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module, the Intelligent Network Service packet comprising circuit-based parameters for implementing the Intelligent Network Service, and a conversion module to convert the circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the mobile communications network has a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, and wherein the first module is operative to receive the Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module from the service control function module.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the conversion module is operative to convert an amount of time to a count.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the first module is further operative to meter a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the mobile communications network and another party during a session, and to compare the number of information units exchanged with the count converted from the amount of time.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein the first module is an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the mobile communications network.

66. The system of claim 61, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

68. The system of claim 61, wherein the Intelligent Network Service packet is configured in accordance with either Phase Two or Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic for circuit-switched voice services, and

wherein the first module is further operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

69. A system for implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a mobile communications network, the system comprising:

a first module to receive an Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module, the Intelligent Network Service packet comprising circuit-based parameters for implementing the Intelligent Network Service; and

means for converting the circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the mobile communications network has a service control function module for controlling implementation of the Intelligent Network Service, and the system further comprises:

means for receiving the Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module from the service control function module.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for converting comprises:

means for converting an amount of time to a count.

72. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

means for metering a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the mobile communications network and another party during a session; and

means for comparing the number of information units exchanged with the count converted from the amount of time.

73. The system of claim 69, wherein the first module is an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the mobile communications network.

74. The system of claim 69, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

76. The system of claim 69, wherein the Intelligent Network Service packet is configured in accordance with either Phase Two or Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic for circuit-switched voice service, wherein the system further comprises:

means for implementing the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

77. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

computer readable signals stored on the computer readable medium that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a process of implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service on a mobile communications network having a first module, the process comprising acts of;

(A) receiving an Intelligent Network Service packet at the first module, the Intelligent Network Service packet comprising circuit-based parameters for implementing the Intelligent Network Service; and

(B) converting the circuit-based parameters to packet-based parameters to implement the Intelligent Network Service.

79. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein act (B) comprises:

converting an amount of time to a count.

80. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein the process further comprises an act of:

(C) metering a number of information units exchanged between a subscriber of the mobile communications network and another party during a session; and

(D) comparing the number of information units exchanged with the count converted from the amount of time.

81. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein the first module is an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the mobile communications network.

82. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein the Intelligent Network Service is prepaid charging.

83. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

84. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein the Intelligent Network Service packet is configured in accordance with either Phase Two or Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic for circuit-switched voice service, wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(C) implementing the Intelligent Network Service for packet-switched services in accordance with Phase Three of Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic.

85. A method of implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service for a subscriber of a first mobile communications network as the subscriber is roaming in a second communications network, the first mobile communications network having an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network and the first mobile communications network having a subscriber information register including an entry storing subscriber information for the subscriber, the method comprising an act of:

(A) configuring the interface module to implement the Intelligent Network Service for sessions between the subscriber of the first mobile communications network and a node located on the packet data network; and

(B) defining the entry of the subscriber information register such that, if the subscriber attaches to a second mobile communications network and the subscriber information is retrieved and the subscriber initiates a session with the node located on the packet data network, then the session is established using the interface module of the first mobile communications network such that the Intelligent Network Service is implemented for the session.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the interface module is a Gateway General Radio Packet Service Support module.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

89. The method of claim 85, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

91. A system for implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service for a subscriber of a first mobile communications network as the subscriber is roaming in a second communications network, the system comprising:

(A) an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network, wherein the interface module is operative to implement the Intelligent Network Service for sessions between the subscriber and a node located on the packet data network; and

(B) a subscriber information register including an entry storing subscriber information for the subscriber, the entry defined such that, if the subscriber attaches to a second mobile communications network and the subscriber information is retrieved and the subscriber initiates a session with the node located on the packet data network, then the session is established using the interface module of the first mobile communications network such that the Intelligent Network Service is implemented for the session.

92. The system of claim 91, wherein the interface module is a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support module.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

95. The system of claim 91, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

97. A system for implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service for a subscriber of a first mobile communications network as the subscriber is roaming in a second communications network, the first mobile communications network having an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network, the system comprising:

a subscriber information register including an entry storing subscriber information for the subscriber, the entry defined such that, if the subscriber attaches to a second mobile communications network and the subscriber information is retrieved and the subscriber initiates a session with a node located on the packet data network, then the session is established using the interface module of the first mobile communications network; and

means for implementing the Intelligent Network Service for the session on the interface module.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein the interface module is a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support module.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

101. The system of claim 97, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

103. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

computer readable signals stored on the computer readable medium that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a process of implementing an Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service for a subscriber of a first mobile communications network as the subscriber is roaming in a second communications network, the first mobile communications network having an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets between the first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network and the first mobile communications network having a subscriber information register including an entry storing subscriber information for a subscriber to the first mobile communications network, the process comprising an act of;

(A) configuring the interface module to implement the Intelligent Network Service for sessions between a subscriber of the first mobile communications network and a node located on the packet data network; and

(B) defining the entry of the subscriber information register such that, if the subscriber attaches to a second mobile communications network and the subscriber information is retrieved and the subscriber initiates a session with the node located on the packet data network, then the session is established using the interface module of the first mobile communications network such that the Intelligent Network Service is implemented for the sessions.

104. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein the interface module is a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support module.

105. The computer program product of claim 104, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

106. The computer program product of claim 105, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

107. The computer program product of claim 103, wherein the Intelligent Network service is prepaid charging.

108. The computer program product of claim 107, wherein the prepaid charging is real-time prepaid charging.

109. A method of implementing a packet-switched Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service, where an interface module serves as an interface for communicating packets for the packet-switched service between a first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network, the method comprising acts of:

(A) exchanging packets between a first packet-switching module of the first communications network and the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service;

(B) implementing the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service on the first packet-switching module;

(C) handing off the packet-switched service from the first packet-switching module to a second packet-switching module, such that the second packet-switching module now exchanges packets with the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service; and

(D) in response to the handoff, implementing the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service on the interface module.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the method further comprises:

(E) terminating implementation of the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service by the first packet-switched module.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein the first packet-switching module resides on a first Serving General Packet Radio Service Support module.

112. The method of claim 109, wherein the interface module resides on a Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support module.

113. The method of claim 109, wherein the first mobile communications network is a General Packet Radio Service network.

114. The method of claim 109, wherein the first mobile communications network is a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network.

115. The method of claim 109, wherein the second packet-switched module resides on a second Serving General Packet Radio Service Support module.

116. The method of claim 109, wherein the second packet-switched module resides on the first mobile communications network.

117. The method of claim 109, wherein the second packet-switched module resides on a second mobile communications network.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the first mobile communications network is a Code-Division Multiple Access-based network.

119. A system for implementing a packet-switched Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service, the system comprising:

a first packet-switching module of the first communications network operative to exchange packets with the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service, to implement the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service, and to handoff the packet-switched service from the first packet-switching module to a second packet-switching module, such that the second packet-switching module now exchanges packets with the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service; and

an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets for the packet-switched service between a first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network,

wherein the interface is operative to take-over implementation of the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service in response to the handoff.

120. A system for implementing a packet-switched Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service, the system comprising:

a first packet-switching module of the first communications network operative to exchange packets with the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service, to implement the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service, and to handoff the packet-switched service from the first packet-switching module to a second packet-switching module, such that the second packet-switching module now exchanges packets with the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service;

an interface module that serves as an interface for communicating packets for the packet-switched service between a first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network; and

means for the interface module to take-over implementation of the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service in response to the handoff.

121. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

computer readable signals stored on the computer readable medium that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a process of implementing a packet-switched Intelligent Network Service for a packet-switched service, where an interface module serves as an interface for communicating packets for the packet-switched service between a first mobile communications network and a packet data network external to the first mobile communications network, the process comprising acts of;

(A) exchanging packets between a first packet-switching module of the first communications network and the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service;

(B) implementing the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service on the first packet-switching module;

(C) handing off the packet-switched service from the first packet-switching module to a second packet-switching module, such that the second packet-switching module now exchanges packets with the interface module as part of implementing the packet-switched service; and

(D) in response to the handoff, implementing the packet-switched Intelligent Network Service on the interface module.