3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations

32.2513GPPCharging managementPacket Switched (PS) domain chargingRelease 17Telecommunication managementTS

3.1 Definitions

For the purposes of the present document, the terms and definitions defined in TR 21.905 [100], TS 32.240 [1] and TS 22.060 [200], and the following apply:

2G‑/3G‑: prefixes 2G‑ and 3G‑ refer to functionality that supports only GSM or UMTS, respectively, e.g. 2G‑SGSN refers only to the GSM functionality of an SGSN
When the term/prefix is omitted, reference is made independently from the GSM or UMTS functionality.

accounting: process of apportioning charges between the Home Environment, Serving Network and Subscriber.

billing: function whereby CDRs generated by the charging function(s) are transformed into bills requiring payment.

Billing Domain (BD): Part of the operator network, which is outside the core network that receives and processes CDR files from the core network charging functions. It includes functions that can provide billing mediation and billing or other (e.g. statistical) end applications. It is only applicable to offline charging (see "Online Charging System" for equivalent functionality in online charging).

CAMEL: network feature that provides the mechanisms to support operator specific services even when roaming outside HPLMN.

CAMEL subscription information: identifies a subscriber as having CAMEL services.

chargeable event: activity utilizing telecommunications network resources and related services for:

– user to user communication (e.g. a single call, a data communication session or a short message); or

– user to network communication (e.g. service profile administration); or

– inter-network communication (e.g. transferring calls, signalling, or short messages); or

– mobility (e.g. roaming or inter-system handover); and

– that the network operator may want to charge for.

As a minimum, a chargeable event characterises the resource / service usage and indicates the identity of the involved end user(s).

charged party: user involved in a chargeable event that has to pay parts or the whole charges of the chargeable event, or a third party paying the charges caused by one or all users involved in the chargeable event, or a network operator.

charging: a function within the telecommunications network and the associated OCS/BD components whereby information related to a chargeable event is collected, formatted and transferred in order to make it possible to determine usage for which the charged party may be billed.

Charging Data Record (CDR): A formatted collection of information about a chargeable event (e.g. time of call set-up, duration of the call, amount of data transferred, etc) for use in billing and accounting. For each party to be charged for parts of or all charges of a chargeable event a separate CDR is generated, i.e. more than one CDR may be generated for a single chargeable event, e.g. because of its long duration, or because more than one charged party is to be charged.

charging event: a set of charging information forwarded by the CTF towards the CDF (offline charging) or towards the OCS (online charging). Each charging event matches exactly one chargeable event.

charging function: entity inside the core network domain, subsystem or service that is involved in charging for that domain, subsystem or service.

Credit-Control: mechanism which directly interacts in real-time with an account and controls or monitors the charges, related to the service usage. Credit-Control is a process of: checking if credit is available, credit reservation, deduction of credit from the end user account when service is completed and refunding of reserved credit not used.

domain: part of a communication network that provides network resources using a certain bearer technology.

Fully Qualified Partial CDR (FQPC): partial CDR that contains a complete set of the fields specified in the present document. This includes all the mandatory and conditional fields as well as those fields that the PLMN operator has provisioned to be included in the CDR. The first Partial CDR shall be a Fully Qualified Partial CDR.

GPRS: packet switched bearer and radio services for GSM and UMTS systems.

GSM only: qualifier indicating that this clause or paragraph applies only to a GSM system. For multi-system cases this is determined by the current serving radio access network.

in GSM,…: qualifier indicating that this paragraph applies only to GSM System.

in UMTS,…: qualifier indicating that this paragraph applies only to UMTS System.

inter-system change: change of radio access between different radio access technologies such as GSM and UMTS.

IP-CAN bearer: An IP transmission path of defined capacity, delay and bit error rate, etc. See TS 21.905 [100] for the definition of bearer.

IP-CAN session: The association between a UE represented by an IPv4 address and/or an IPv6 prefix, and UE identity information, if available, and a PDN represented by a PDN ID (e.g. an APN). An IP-CAN session incorporates one or more IP-CAN bearers. Support for multiple IP-CAN bearers per IP-CAN session is IP-CAN specific. An IP-CAN session exists as long as UE IP addresses are established and announced to the IP network.

middle tier TS: used for the 3GPP charging TSs that specify the domain / subsystem / service specific, online and offline, charging functionality. These are all the TSs in the numbering range from TS 32.250 [10] to TS 32.271 [31], e.g. TS 32.250 [10] for the CS domain, or TS 32.270 [30] for the MMS service.
Currently, there is only one "tier 1" TS in 3GPP, which is TS 32.240 [1] that specifies the charging architecture and principles. Finally, there are a number of top tier TSs in the 32.29x numbering range ([50] ff) that specify common charging aspects such as parameter definitions, encoding rules, the common Billing Domain (BD) interface or common charging applications.

near real-time: near real-time charging and billing information is to be generated, processed, and transported to a desired conclusion in less than one (1) minute.

Non-Seamless WLAN Offload (NSWO) is a capability of routing specific IP flows over the WLAN access without traversing the EPC as defined in clause 4.1.5 of TS 23.402 [209].

offline charging: charging mechanism where charging information does not affect, in real-time, the service rendered.

online charging: charging mechanism where charging information can affect, in real-time, the service rendered and therefore a direct interaction of the charging mechanism with bearer/session/service control is required.

Online Charging System (OCS): the entity that performs real-time Credit-Control. Its functionality includes transaction handling, rating, online correlation and management of subscriber account balances.

packet switched domain: domain in which data is transferred between core network elements in packet switched mode.

partial CDR: CDR that provides information on part of a subscriber session. A long session may be covered by several partial CDRs. Two formats are considered for partial CDRs. One that contains all of the necessary fields (FQPC); the second has a reduced format (RPC).

Presence Reporting Area: An area defined within 3GPP Packet Domain for the purposes of reporting of UE presence within that area due to policy control and/or charging reasons. There are two types of Presence Reporting Area: "UE-dedicated Presence Reporting Area", and "Core Network pre-configuration Presence Reporting Area".

Real-time: real-time charging and billing information is to be generated, processed, and transported to a desired conclusion in less than one (1) second.

Reduced Partial CDR (RPC): partial CDRs that only provide mandatory fields and information regarding changes in the session parameters relative to the previous partial CDR. For example, location information is not repeated in these CDRs if the subscriber did not change its location.

settlement: payment of amounts resulting from the accounting process.

Selected IP Traffic Offload (SIPTO): Offload of selected types of IP traffic (e.g. internet traffic) towards a defined IP network close to the UE’s point of attachment to the access network. SIPTO is applicable to traffic offload for the macro-cellular access network and for the H(e)NB subsystem.

subscriber: A subscriber is an entity (associated with one or more users) that is engaged in a subscription with a service provider. The subscriber is allowed to subscribe and unsubscribe services, to register a user or a list of users authorized to enjoy these services, and also to set the limits relative to the use that associated users make of these services.

tariff period: part of one (calendar) day during which a particular tariff is applied. Defined by the time at which the period commences (the switch-over time) and the tariff to be applied after switch-over.

tariff: set of parameters defining the network utilization charges for the use of a particular bearer / session / service.

UMTS only: qualifier indicating that this clause or paragraph applies only to a UMTS system. For multi-system cases this is determined by the current serving radio access network.

Unused Quota timer: the time period without quota granted or any quota being consumed for any rating group belonging to the Gy session.

NOTE: It is started when initial quota for the session is received from the OCS and it is restarted every time there is a quota consumption.

user: An entity, not part of the 3GPP System that uses network resources by means of a subscription.
The user may or may not be identical to the subscriber holding that subscription.

User Equipment (UE): A device allowing a user access to network services. For the purpose of 3GPP specifications the interface between the UE and the network is the radio interface. A UE can be subdivided into a number of domains, the domains being separated by reference points. Currently defined domains are the USIM and ME Domains. The ME Domain can further be subdivided into several components showing the connectivity between multiple functional groups. These groups can be implemented in one or more hardware devices. An example of such connectivity is the TE – MT interface. Further, an occurrence of a User Equipment is an MS for GSM as defined in GSM TS 04.02 (GSM Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) Access Reference Configuration).

3.2 Symbols

For the purposes of the present document the following symbols apply:

A Interface between an MSC and a BSC

Bp Reference point for the CDR file transfer from the Packet Switched CGF to the BD

C Interface between a HLR and a SMSC

D Interface between a MSC and a HLR

E Interface between a MSC and a SMSC

Ga Reference point between a CDF and the CGF for CDR transfer

Gb Interface between an SGSN and a BSC

Gc Interface between an GGSN and an HLR

Gd Interface between an SMS-GMSC and an SGSN, and between a SMS-IWMSC and an SGSN

Ge Interface between a SGSN and a CAMEL GSM SCF

Gf Interface between an SGSN and an EIR

Gi Interface between the Packet-Switched domain and an external packet data network

Gn Interface between two GSNs within the same PLMN

Gp Interface between two GSNs in different PLMNs

Gr Interface between an SGSN and an HLR

Gs Interface between an SGSN and an MSC/VLR.

Gx Interface between a PCEF and a PCRF

Gxa Interface between a HSGW and a PCRF

Gy Online charging reference point between a PCEF and an OCS

Gyn Online charging reference point between a TDF and an OCS

Gz Offline charging reference point between a PCEF and anO FCS

Gzn Offline charging reference point between a TDF and an OFCS

Iu Interface between the 3G SGSN and the UTRAN

kbit/s Kilobits per second. 1 kbit/s = 210 bits per second

Mbit/s Megabits per second. 1 Mbit/s = 220 bits per second

R Reference point between a non-ISDN compatible TE and MT.
Typically this reference point supports a standard serial interface.

Rf Offline charging reference point between a PCN network element and CDF

Ro Online charging reference point between a PCN network element and the OCS

Um Interface between the Mobile Station (MS) and the GSM fixed network part

Uu Interface between the User Equipment (UE) and the UMTS fixed network part

3.3 Abbreviations

For the purposes of the present document, the abbreviations defined in TR 21.905 [100] and the following apply:

3G 3rd Generation

ABC Application Based Charging

ADC Application Detection and Control

AoC Advice of Charge

APN Access Point Name

ARP Allocation and Retention Priority

BD Billing Domain

CAMEL Customised Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic

CCA Credit-Control-Answer

CCR Credit-Control-Request

CDF Charging Data Function

CDR Charging Data Record

CG Charging Gateway

CGF Charging Gateway Function

CI Cell Identity

CIoT Cellular Internet of Things

CP Control PlaneCS Circuit Switched

CSE CAMEL Service Environment

CSG Closed Subscriber Group

CSG ID Closed Subscriber Group Identity

CTF Charging Trigger Function

DCCA Diameter Credit-Control Application

EPC Evolved Packet Core

ePDG Evolved Packet Data Gateway

EPS Evolved Packet System

ECUR Event Charging with Unit Reservation

E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

FBC Flow Based bearer Charging

FQPC Fully Qualified Partial CDR

GERAN GSM EDGE Radio Access Network

GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node

GPRS General Packet Radio Service

GSM Global System for Mobile communication

GTP GPRS Tunnelling Protocol

GTP’ The GPRS protocol used for CDR transport.
It is derived from GTP with enhancements to improve transport reliability necessary for CDRs.

HeNB Home eNode B

HNB Home Node B

H(e)NB HNB and HeNB

HLR Home Location Register

HPLMN Home PLMN

HRPD High Rate Packet Data

HSGW HRPD Serving Gateway

IE Information Element

IEC Immediate Event Charging

IETF Internet Engineering Task Force

IFOM IP Flow Mobility

IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity

IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity

IP Internet Protocol

IP-CAN IP Connectivity Access Network

IPv4 Internet Protocol version 4

IPv6 Internet Protocol version 6

ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network

ITU-T International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunications standardization sector

LAC Location Area Code

LR Location Request

M-CDR Mobility management generated CDR

MAPCON Multi Access PDN Connectivity

MCC Mobile Country Code (part of IMSI)

ME Mobile Equipment

MLC Mobile Location Center

MME Mobility Management Entity

MMS Multimedia Messaging Service

MNC Mobile Network Code (part of IMSI)

MO Mobile Originated

MO-LR Mobile Originated Location Request

MS Mobile Station

MSISDN Mobile Station ISDN number

MT Mobile Terminated

MT-LR Mobile Terminated Location Request

NBIFOM Network-based IP flow mobility

NE Network Element

NI Network Identifier (part of the APN)

NI-LR Network Induced – Location Request

NSWO Non-Seamless WLAN Offload

OAM&P Operation, Administration, Maintenance and Provisioning

OCF Online Charging Function

OCS Online Charging System

OI Operator Identifier (part of the APN)

P-GW PDN Gateway

PCC Policy and Charging Control

PCEF Policy and Charging Enforcement Function

PCN Packet switched Core network Node (SGSN, GGSN, S–GW, P–GW, TDF)

PDN Packet Data Network

PDP Packet Data Protocol (e.g. IP)

PDU Packet Data Unit

PGW-CDR P-GW (enhanced by FBC) generated CDR

PLMN Public Land Mobile Network

PMIP Proxy Mobile IP

PPP Point-to-Point Protocol

PRA Presence Reporting Area

PS Packet Switched

QCI QoS Class Identifier

QoS Quality of Service

RAB Radio Access Bearer

RAC Routing Area Code

RANAP Radio Access Network Application Part

RG Residential Gateway

RNC Radio Network Controller

RPC Reduced Partial CDR

SAC Service Area Code

S-CDR SGSN (IP-CAN bearer) generated CDR

S-GW Serving Gateway

SCUR Session Charging with Unit Reservation

SDF Service Data Flow

SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node

SGW-CDR S-GW (IP-CAN bearer) generated CDR

SIPTO Selected IP Traffic Offload

SMS Short Message Service

S-SMO-CDR SGSN delivered Short message Mobile Originated CDR

S-SMT-CDR SGSN delivered Short message Mobile Terminated CDR

T-PDU Transport PDU

TDF Traffic Detection Function

TDF-CDR TDF generated CDR

TR Technical Report

TS Technical Specification

TWAG Trusted WLAN Access Gateway

TWAN Trusted WLAN Access Network

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

UP User Plane

USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module

UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

UWAN Untrusted Wireless Access Network