Policy Based Charging in Multimedia Networks

Abstract

Abstract. The telecommunications landscape is undergoing a period of dramatic change. A near term next generation network (NGN) is emerging characterized by a rich set of services and a dynamic and competitive marketplace where innovation and time to market will be critical success factors. Changing consumer-provider relationships, competitive pressures and new e-commerce technologies will accelerate the use of real time payment and prepayment techniques. This will increase the demand for real-time processing of charging data. Powerful, new, charging support systems will be needed to enable real time charging of these new services. Policy based management appears to offer potential solutions.