Convergent communications platform and method for mobile and electronic commerce in a heterogeneous network environment

• US 20020052754A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Upaid Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kumar, Sundaram Mohan, Kalluri, Veerabhadra Rao, Vooradi, Gopal, Machiraju, Ravi Kiran, Kasturi, Kalyan Chakravarthy, Kompella, Krishna Mohan Venkata, Burugula, Sesh Kumar Venkata Hara Naga, Seetamsetty, Srinivas, Waldakar, Raju, Goparaju, Muralidhar, Nakkala, Anil Kumar Reddy, Santos, Fernando Manoel Alves Jr., Velagala, Narendra Kumar, Undavalli, Prasad Naganjaneya Vara, Veluru, Ranganatham, Enuga, Ashok Kumar Reddy, Tummala, Anjayya Chowdary, Munnangi, Suresh Kumar, Velpuri, Surya Sekhar Lakshmi, Nallagonda, Bhanu Murthy, Vaidya, Manohar Sitaram, Gupta, Richa, Subhashree, Radhakrishnan, Joyce, Simon James, Gupta, Prafulla C., Nallajerla, Kondal Rao, Sistla, Krishna Mohan, Gudipati, Amba Prasad, Jampana, Varma Laxmi Jagannadha Siva Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 9,098,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• 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 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• 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 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13134 : Coin boxes, payphone, prepaid
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 : Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13372 : Intercepting operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 : Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing mobile commerce, electronic commerce, customer care and communication services via a plurality of networks, including receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service, forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost or rate of the service, if the service is to be charged, verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service, providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value, if the service is to be charged and charging the valid user account on a real time basis, if necessary, for providing the service, if the service is to be charged.

Claims

1. A method of providing mobile commerce services via a plurality of networks, the method comprising:

receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service;

forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost of the service;

verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;

providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value; and

charging the valid user account for providing the service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the service provider includes a plurality of businesses that each receives a portion of the cost of the service.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the amount charged to the service provider.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance;

determining that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

recharging the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account has authorized the recharge mechanism after a user intervention;

contacting the user device in the roaming network requesting authorization to recharge; and

authorizing the recharging only if the user device replies correctly to the request for authorization to recharge.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the recharging is based on a user defined rule that specifies at least one of an account, an amount and a source of funds.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the user defined rule specifies a plurality of accounts, with a priority of recharge based on at least one of account, past recharges, account balance and time.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the recharging recharges from at least one of a bank account, an investment account, a credit account and a pre-authorized loan account.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the charging and the service provider identification number.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the cost of the service is at least one of a roaming cost, a cost of goods delivered, a shipping cost, an airtime cost, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the service provider includes a plurality of businesses that each receives a portion of the cost of the service.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sender also sends the amount charged to the service provider.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a determiner that determines that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance and that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

a recharger that recharges the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

the determiner also determining that the valid user account has authorized the recharge mechanism after a user intervention;

the sender also sending the user device in the roaming network a request for authorization to recharge; and

an authorizer that authorizes the recharge only if the user device replies correctly to the request for authorization to recharge.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the recharge is based on a user defined rule that specifies at least one of an account, an amount and a source of funds.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the user defined rule specifies a plurality of accounts, with a priority of recharge based on at least one of account, past recharges, account balance and time.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the recharger recharges from at least one of a bank account, an investment account, a credit account and a pre-authorized loan account.

27. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a storage device that stores a charged amount and the service provider identification number.

28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cost of the service is at least one of a roaming cost, a cost of goods delivered, a shipping cost, an airtime cost, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone, and a radio transmitter.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the service provider includes a plurality of businesses that each receives a portion of the cost of the service.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising sending the amount charged to the service provider.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance;

determining that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

recharging the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account has authorized the recharge mechanism after a user intervention;

contacting the user device in the roaming network requesting authorization to recharge; and

authorizing the recharging only if the user device replies correctly to the request for authorization to recharge.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the recharging is based on a user defined rule that specifies at least one of an account, an amount and a source of funds.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the user defined rule specifies a plurality of accounts, with a priority of recharge based on at least one of account, past recharges, account balance and time.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the recharging recharges from at least one of a bank account, an investment account, a credit account and a pre-authorized loan account.

41. The method of claim 29, further comprising storing the charging and the service provider identification number.

42. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the roaming communication service is at least one of a roaming cost, a cost of services delivered, an airtime cost, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

43. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining a rate to provide the service to the user; and

charging the valid user account in real time for the service provided at the rate calculated.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the rate is at least one of a roaming network rate, a home network rate, an airtime rate, a long distance rate, an international rate, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

45. The method of claim 29, wherein the signal is at least one of a service cutoff, a pause, a request for recharge and a low balance warning.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

50. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

51. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the service provider includes a plurality of businesses that each receives a portion of the cost of the service.

52. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the sender also sends the amount charged to the service provider.

53. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

a determiner that determines that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance and that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

a recharger that recharges the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:

the determiner also determining that the valid user account has authorized the recharge mechanism after a user intervention;

the sender also sending the user device in the roaming network a request for authorization to recharge; and

an authorizer that authorizes the recharge only if the user device replies correctly to the request for authorization to recharge.

55. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the recharge is based on a user defined rule that specifies at least one of an account, an amount and a source of funds.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the user defined rule specifies a plurality of accounts, with a priority of recharge based on at least one of account, past recharges, account balance and time.

57. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the recharger recharges from at least one of a bank account, an investment account, a credit account and a pre-authorized loan account.

58. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a storage device that stores a charged amount and the service provider identification number.

59. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the cost of the roaming communication service is at least one of a roaming cost, an airtime cost, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

60. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

a determiner that determines a rate to provide the service to the user; and

the charger charges the valid user account in real time for the service provided at the rate calculated.

61. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the rate is at least one of a roaming network rate, a home network rate, an airtime rate, a long distance rate, an international rate, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

62. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the signal is at least one of a service cutoff, a pause, a request for recharge and a low balance warning.

15. An apparatus that provides mobile commerce services via a plurality of networks, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver that receives a request for a service, the request including an identification number from a user device located on a roaming network, and the service requested, a service provider identification number related to the service provider and a cost of the requested service from the roaming network;

a verifier that verifies that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;

a sender that provides an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value; and

a charger that charges the valid user account for providing the service.

29. A method of providing pre-paid roaming communication services via a plurality of networks, the method comprising:

receiving in a roaming network, from a user device, an identification number and a destination device number;

forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the destination device number, and adding a service provider identification number and a cost of a roaming communication service;

verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for an initial use of the service;

providing an authorization to the roaming network, if the identification number relates to a valid user information, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the account has sufficient value to pay for an initial use of the service;

charging the valid user account for providing the service; and

sending a signal when the valid user account balance reaches a predetermined level.

46. An apparatus that provides pre-paid roaming communication services via a plurality of networks, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver that receives a request for a communication service, the request including an identification number and a destination device number from a user device located on a roaming network and a service provider identification number related to the service provider and a cost of the service from the roaming network;

a verifier that verifies that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the communication service on the roaming network and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;

a sender that provides an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value and that sends a signal if the valid user account reaches a predetermined level; and

a charger that charges the valid user account for providing the service.

63. A method of providing network independent customer care services via a plurality of independent networks, the method comprising:

receiving in a roaming network, from a user device, an identification number and a request for a customer care service;

forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the customer care service, and adding a service provider identification number;

verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account; and

connecting the user device to the customer care service, if the identification number relates to the valid user account.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an Ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein the roaming network is a network that is at least one of operated by a different entity than the home network, utilizing a different signaling protocol and is located in a different geography.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

67. The method of claim 63, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein the customer care service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services and a recharge request.

69. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

recharging the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

70. The method of claim 63, further comprising storing the service provider identification number.

71. An apparatus that provides customer care services via a plurality of networks, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver that receives a request for a customer care service, the request including an identification number from a user device located on a roaming network and a service provider identification number related to a service provider from the roaming network;

a verifier that verifies that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the customer care service; and

a connector that connects the user device to a customer care provider that can provide the customer care service, if the identification number relates to a valid user account.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the roaming network is a network that is at least one of operated by a different entity than the home network, utilizing a different signaling protocol and is located in a different geography.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

75. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

76. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the customer care service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services and a recharge request.

77. The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising:

a determiner that determines that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

a recharger that recharges the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services and a data download.

82. The method of claim 78, wherein the receiving is from a roaming network when the convergent communications platform is in a home network.

78. A method of recharging a pre-paid account for services to be provided via a convergent communications platform, comprising:

receiving a request from a user device including a user identification number for authorization to use a customer account located on the convergent communications platform;

determining that the customer account, related to the user identification number, does not have a sufficient balance for the service to be provided;

determining that the customer account has an authorized recharge mechanism;

recharging the customer account using the authorized recharge mechanism; and

authorizing the use of the customer account for service via the convergent communications platform.

83. An apparatus that recharges a pre-paid account for services to be provided via a convergent communications platform, comprising:

a receiver that receives a request for authorization from a user device including an identification number to use a customer account located on the convergent communications platform;

a determiner that determines that the customer account, related to the identification number does not have a sufficient balance for the service to be provided and that the customer account has authorized a recharge mechanism;

a recharger that recharges the customer account using the recharge mechanism; and

a sender that sends an authorization for the use of the customer account for the service via the convergent communications platform.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

85. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

86. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services and a data download.

87. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the user device is in a roaming network when the convergent communications platform is in a home network.

88. A method for settling a pre-paid transaction to a plurality of providers in a convergent communications environment, comprising:

charging a charge to a valid user account for a transaction provided via a plurality of networks on a real time basis;

determining a plurality of portions of the charge that should be distributed to a plurality of providers involved in providing the pre-paid transaction via the plurality of networks; and

settling with the providers for the pre-paid transaction via the plurality of networks according to the determined plurality of portions.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the transaction is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

90. The method of claim 88, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance;

determining that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

recharging the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

91. The method of claim 88, further comprising storing the transaction and a provider identification number for each of the plurality of providers.

92. An apparatus that settles a pre-paid transaction to a plurality of providers in a convergent communications environment, comprising:

a charger that charges a user account for a transaction provided via a plurality of networks on a real time basis;

a determiner that determines a plurality of portions of the charge that should be distributed to a plurality of providers involved in providing the prepaid transaction via the plurality of networks; and

a sender that settles with the providers for the pre-paid transaction via the plurality of networks according to the determined plurality of portions.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the transaction is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

94. The apparatus of claim 92, further comprising:

the determiner determining that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance and that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

a recharger that recharges the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

95. The apparatus of claim 92, further comprising a storage device that stores the transaction and a provider identification number for each of the plurality of providers.

96. A method of providing mobile commerce, electronic commerce, customer care and communication services via a plurality of networks, the method comprising:

receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service;

forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost or rate of the service, if the service is to be charged;

verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;

providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value, if the service is to be charged; and

charging the valid user account on a real time basis, for providing the service, if the service is to be charged.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

98. The method of claim 96, wherein the roaming network is a network that is at least one of operated by a different entity than the home network, utilizing a different signaling protocol and is located in a different geography.

99. The method of claim 96, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

100. The method of claim 96, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

101. The method of claim 96, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

102. The method of claim 96, wherein the service provider includes a plurality of businesses that each receives a portion of the cost of the service.

103. The method of claim 96, further comprising sending the amount charged to the service provider.

104. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance;

determining that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

recharging the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

105. The method of claim 104, further comprising:

determining that the valid user account has authorized the recharge mechanism after a user intervention;

contacting the user device in the roaming network requesting authorization to recharge; and

authorizing the recharging only if the user device replies correctly to the request for authorization to recharge.

106. The method of claim 104, wherein the recharging is based on a user defined rule that specifies at least one of an account, an amount and a source of funds.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein the user defined rule specifies a plurality of accounts, with a priority of recharge based on at least one of account, past recharges, account balance and time.

108. The method of claim 104, wherein the recharging recharges from at least one of a bank account, an investment account, a credit account and a pre-authorized loan account.

109. The method of claim 96, further comprising storing the charging and the service provider identification number.

110. The method of claim 96, wherein the cost of the roaming communication service is at least one of a roaming cost, a cost of services delivered, an airtime cost, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

111. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

determining a rate to provide the service to the user; and

charging the valid user account in real time for the service provided at the rate calculated.

112. The method of claim 96, wherein the rate is at least one of a roaming network rate, a home network rate, an airtime rate, a long distance rate, an international rate, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

114. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the roaming network is at least one of a wireless network, a simple messaging service network, a public switched telephone network, a packet switched network, a circuit switched network, an asynchronous network, the Internet, an Intranet, a microwave network, a cable network, an ethernet network, a token ring network and a wide area network.

115. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the roaming network is a network that is at least one of operated by a different entity than the home network, utilizing a different signaling protocol and is located in a different geography.

116. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the user device is at least one of a wireless phone, a wired phone, a modem, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cell phone and a radio transmitter.

117. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the identification number is at least one of a personal identification number, a subscriber identity module, an international mobile subscriber identity, an international mobile station equipment identity, a mixture of alphabetic and numeric digits and a hexadecimal number.

118. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the service is at least one of a telephone connection, a simple messaging service message, a facsimile transmission, a data transmission, a purchase request for goods/services, a data download and a recharge request.

119. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the service provider includes a plurality of businesses that each receives a portion of the cost of the service.

120. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the sender also sends the amount charged to the service provider.

121. The apparatus of claim 113, further comprising:

the determiner determining that the valid user account does not have a sufficient balance and that the valid user account has authorized a recharge mechanism; and

a recharger that recharges the valid user account using the recharge mechanism.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, further comprising:

the determiner also determining that the valid user account has authorized the recharge mechanism after a user intervention;

the sender also sending the user device in the roaming network a request for authorization to recharge; and

an authorizer that authorizes the recharge only if the user device replies correctly to the request for authorization to recharge.

123. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the recharge is based on a user defined rule that specifies at least one of an account, an amount and a source of funds.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the user defined rule specifies a plurality of accounts, with a priority of recharge based on at least one of account, past recharges, account balance and time.

125. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the recharger recharges from at least one of a bank account, an investment account, a credit account and a pre-authorized loan account.

126. The apparatus of claim 113, further comprising a storage device that stores a charged amount and the service provider identification number.

127. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the cost of the roaming communication service is at least one of a roaming cost, an airtime cost, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

128. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the determiner further determines a rate to provide the service to the user and the charger charges the valid user account in real time for the service provided at the rate calculated.

129. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the rate is at least one of a roaming network rate, a home network rate, an airtime rate, a long distance rate, an international rate, a tax, a surcharge for use of facilities, a discount and an insurance cost.

113. An apparatus that provides mobile commerce, electronic commerce, customer care and communication services via a plurality of networks, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver that receives an identification number from a user device, and a request for a service, a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost or rate of the service, if the service is to be charged from a roaming network;

a determiner that determines, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, whether the identification number relates to a valid user account, if the user device is authorized to receive the service and if the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;

a sender that provides an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value, if the service is to be charged; and

a charger that charges the valid user account on a real time basis, for providing the service, if the service is to be charged.