System, method, and computer program product for charging a roaming network for a chargeable event

• US 7,801,523 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amdocs Development Limited (Amdocs Ltd.), Amdocs Software Systems Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Amdocs Software Systems Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kenderov, Stoyan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin; Jean A
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, NATHAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US11/745,972
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 4554321-433, 455405-409
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• 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 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/74 Rating aspects, e.g. rating parameters or tariff determination apects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for charging a roaming network. In use, a home network identifies a chargeable event that is attributable to a roaming network. To this end, the roaming network may be charged for the chargeable event.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

identifying a chargeable event by a home network that is attributable to a roaming network; and

charging the roaming network for the chargeable event;

wherein the chargeable event includes a customer service provided by the home network;

wherein the customer service provided by the home network is prompted by a quality of service of the roaming network;

wherein the quality of service of the roaming network is monitored;

wherein the monitored quality of service of the roaming network is compared to a threshold quality of service;

wherein the chargeable event is identified based on the comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the chargeable event includes the quality of service of the roaming network falling below the threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a relationship between the roaming network and the home network is terminated based on the comparison.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein payment by the roaming network is rendered to the home network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the roaming network is charged for the chargeable event in accordance with an agreement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the agreement is between the roaming network and the home network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the chargeable events are tracked.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein it is determined whether the home network should provide service in place of the roaming network, based on the tracked chargeable events.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein an output of the determination includes a map of areas the home network should provide service in place of at least one roaming network.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein an output of the determination includes a prioritization of areas the home network should provide service in place of at least one roaming network.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the determination is carried out in real time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the home network and the roaming network are wireless networks.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the chargeable event includes a user of the home network calling a representative of the home network in response to the user experiencing, with respect to the roaming network, at least one of service disruptions and an inability to execute an application.

13. A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for identifying a chargeable event that is attributable to a roaming network; and

computer code for charging the roaming network for the chargeable event;

wherein the chargeable event includes a customer service provided by the home network;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the customer service provided by the home network is prompted by a quality of service of the roaming network;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the quality of service of the roaming network is monitored;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the monitored quality of service of the roaming network is compared to a threshold quality of service;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the chargeable event is identified based on the comparison.

14. A system, comprising:

a home network for identifying a chargeable event that is attributable to a roaming network, and charging the roaming network for the chargeable event;

wherein the chargeable event includes a customer service provided by the home network;

wherein the system is operable such that the customer service provided by the home network is prompted by a quality of service of the roaming network;

wherein the system is operable such that the quality of service of the roaming network is monitored;

wherein the system is operable such that the monitored quality of service of the roaming network is compared to a threshold quality of service;

wherein the system is operable such that the chargeable event is identified based on the comparison.