Service Controller
The Charge itTM Service Controller provides deep packet inspection and flow control technology for more than 200 protocols that is independent of the core access network.
This patented technology allows the operator to extract granular usage information off the network at all levels from IP traffic / protocol up to application and content. As new services are launched, additional Service Modules can be added to the system to support the relevant protocols and service types.
In addition, the Charge it Service Controller has the ability to actively control the session through traffic filtering, redirection and blocking. Rich user dialogue can be invoked as part of the service logic, which ensures a positive service experience for the customer and ultimately increased customer satisfaction and service usage.
The Charge it Service Controller is deployed and integrated as a network "drop-in" into the underlying network topology through the use of standard integration points. Even if the underlying network evolves and grows, the way in which the Charge it Service Controller is integrated into the network remains standard, thereby minimising the impact of any underlying network changes on the charging & control platform.
The Service Controller consists of four main functional components:
Deep Packet Inspection
The Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) module in Charge it is responsible for analysing and extracting granular usage information from the network traffic, right up to layer 7 content analysis. The Deep Packet Inspection module is made up of a number of specific Service Modules, designed to provide the required inspection capabilities for specific service types. Charge it is deployed with appropriate Service Modules for the services being supported.
Available Service Modules include :
User Dialogue Management
The User Dialogue Management module supports both subscriber notification and interactive dialogue over several bearers through the use of Web pages or WAP splash cards.
Interactive user dialogue can take multiple forms. Common examples of dialogues could be :
Service Logic Engine
The Service Logic Engine provides enhanced service management to complement the deep packet inspection capabilities of the installed service modules.
Service correlation functions aggregate service session usage events where separate flows are used for signalling and data - as is the case for streaming, VoIP and many IMS services. Being able to correlate and enrich session information through the addition of specific subscriber data to the service request enables more efficient service control, reduced revenue leakage and improved ease of reconciliation.
The Service Logic Engine also provides Usage Data Record (UDR) Generation capabilities locally in the Service Controller. Having such UDR generation capabilities locally in the Service Controller enables services to continue to be used by subscribers even when communication with external authorisation and accounting platforms is not possible due to planned or unplanned outages. This ensures that the operator can maintain customer satisfaction and operate services in "emergency mode" without loss of revenue or usage information until the authorisation and accounting platforms become available again.
Service Management
The Service Management module is a service and protocol independent layer to control heterogeneous services deployed by the operator. It represents a single point of control for all service sessions within a common framework.
The Service Management module is responsible for:
This patented technology allows the operator to extract granular usage information off the network at all levels from IP traffic / protocol up to application and content. As new services are launched, additional Service Modules can be added to the system to support the relevant protocols and service types.
In addition, the Charge it Service Controller has the ability to actively control the session through traffic filtering, redirection and blocking. Rich user dialogue can be invoked as part of the service logic, which ensures a positive service experience for the customer and ultimately increased customer satisfaction and service usage.
The Charge it Service Controller is deployed and integrated as a network "drop-in" into the underlying network topology through the use of standard integration points. Even if the underlying network evolves and grows, the way in which the Charge it Service Controller is integrated into the network remains standard, thereby minimising the impact of any underlying network changes on the charging & control platform.
The Service Controller consists of four main functional components:
Deep Packet Inspection
The Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) module in Charge it is responsible for analysing and extracting granular usage information from the network traffic, right up to layer 7 content analysis. The Deep Packet Inspection module is made up of a number of specific Service Modules, designed to provide the required inspection capabilities for specific service types. Charge it is deployed with appropriate Service Modules for the services being supported.
Available Service Modules include :
- All IP (OSI Layer 3-4)
- Browsing
- MMS
- SMS Premium
- Streaming
- VoIP
User Dialogue Management
The User Dialogue Management module supports both subscriber notification and interactive dialogue over several bearers through the use of Web pages or WAP splash cards.
Interactive user dialogue can take multiple forms. Common examples of dialogues could be :
- Sending Advice of Charge (AoC) whenever a new service session is established, or a content item selected. Service access can be blocked until the subscriber accepts the charges.
- Sending notification pages or messages to the subscriber when they reach a low balance threshold on their account. Charge it can also redirect them automatically to their replenishment/reloading account pages.
- Invoke redirection to splash pages containing advertisements, as part of the Mobile Advertising Solution
Service Logic Engine
The Service Logic Engine provides enhanced service management to complement the deep packet inspection capabilities of the installed service modules.
Service correlation functions aggregate service session usage events where separate flows are used for signalling and data - as is the case for streaming, VoIP and many IMS services. Being able to correlate and enrich session information through the addition of specific subscriber data to the service request enables more efficient service control, reduced revenue leakage and improved ease of reconciliation.
The Service Logic Engine also provides Usage Data Record (UDR) Generation capabilities locally in the Service Controller. Having such UDR generation capabilities locally in the Service Controller enables services to continue to be used by subscribers even when communication with external authorisation and accounting platforms is not possible due to planned or unplanned outages. This ensures that the operator can maintain customer satisfaction and operate services in "emergency mode" without loss of revenue or usage information until the authorisation and accounting platforms become available again.
Service Management
The Service Management module is a service and protocol independent layer to control heterogeneous services deployed by the operator. It represents a single point of control for all service sessions within a common framework.
The Service Management module is responsible for:
- Receiving decoded packet information from the various Service Modules,
- Requesting authorisation from the on-board Dynamic Charging Platform (DCP), or external systems,
- Managing the end user context for the purpose of threshold management, volume counting and dialogue control.
