Real-time charging & session management for Data - Gy based (FT-1010.004)

About this document

Scope

This document provides background information as well as a functional description of the FT-1010.004 Real-time charging & session management for Data - Gy based standard feature. The described feature is supported from the release version 4.0 onward.

Note

Real-time charging & session management for Data - Gy based is a standard feature and does not require a special license.

This feature is part of the Data Services functionality with number FN-1010.

Feature Availability

Benefits

MAVOCO CMP has the capacity to be deeply integrated into the MNO’s network. The CMP supports multiple protocols to enable the data integration for real-time charging and session management. The preferred one for MAVOCO CMP is Diameter over Gy interface, though other protocols (i.e. RADIUS) are also supported. Diameter often offers better performance and scalability compared to other protocols (i.e. RADIUS), supports enforcement of specific service quality levels for IoT devices and ensures robust secure communication and flexibility in accommodating a changing IoT landscape.

Feature overview

Goals

The aim of the Real-time charging & session management for Data - Gy based feature is to support real-time charging and real-time session management for data using the 3GPP standard Gy interface and Diameter protocol.

Functionality of the feature

Real-time data charging can be achieved by integration of the MAVOCO CMP into the Network Operator's Core Network Packet Gateway (PGW) using the 3GPP standard Gy interface. The integration supports real-time charging as well as real-time session management (e.g., service blocking if the set conditions are not met) for data.

When a SIM requests the establishment of a PDP Context, the Core Network Packet Gateway communicates with the CMP, typically via DRA. CMP checks to verify that the SIM is known in the CMP, that the SIM Card's status allows data usage, and so on. If all of the checks pass, CMP provides a 'grant' to the PGW for a specific IMSI session defined in terms of volume and duration. When the grant expires, the PGW returns usage and requests a further grant. When the PDP context (session) ends, the PGW reports the usage and each interaction generates an EDR in the MAVOCO CMP, which is visible in the Enterprise Portal. CMP keeps track of data usage, both actual and assigned for a session.

CMP maintains real-time counters for all SIMs and SIM Pools, enabling features such as

• blocking of service if the included allowance is consumed,

• SIM Usage Limit, and

• usage thresholds of Automation Rules.

CMP can additionally check if the IMEI of the Data session

• is in the whitelist/not in the blacklist (of the relevant Security Profile) and

• has/has not changed (through an Automation Rule), which may trigger session block.

CMP expects the PGW/Core Network to provide the SIM location (MCC+MNC) in order for the SIM Card to be rated based on the Zone in which the SIM Card is located. If this information is not available, CMP treats the SIM as if it is in the Rest of World Zone.