Method for providing price information to subscribers of a digital mobile communication network

• US 20040116136A1
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Voehringer, Gerrit
• Granted Patent: US 7,206,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/67 Transmitting arrangements for sending billing related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/48 Sending information over a non-traffic network channel or another connection than the one actually used, e.g. signalling, D-channel, data and voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing price information to subscribers of a digital mobile communication network. The aim of the invention is to inform the subscriber of the cost of a call he/she is about to make, in a simple manner. To this end, when the subscriber dials a call number, he/she obtains information on the rate to expect for a communication by means of short messaging service (SMS).

Claims

1. A method for providing price information to subscribers of a digital mobile communication network, characterized

in that the subscriber receives price information about the connection costs to be expected on dialing a call number using the short message service (SMS).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber receives the price information while setting up the desired connection.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber receives the price information before setting up the desired connection.

4. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subscriber allows the connection to be set up by confirmation of the transmitted price information.

5. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a high-priority short message is used as the short message.

6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the short message is displayed directly on the subscriber'"'"'s mobile radio terminal display.

7. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the price information is provided only when the actual price is not the same as the price to be expected on the basis of a dialed call number.