Technique for handling service level related performance data for roaming user terminals

A method of reporting Service level related Performance Data (SPD) collected for a user terminal while roaming, the method comprising the user terminal:

• detecting a data collection start condition;
• starting, in response to detecting the data collection start condition, collection of SPD for circuit-switched services provided in a visited network to the roaming user terminal;
• detecting a data reporting condition, wherein the data reporting condition is an attachment of the user terminal to the home network;
• and
• reporting, in response to detecting the data reporting condition, the collected SPD, wherein the collected SPD is reported to or via a home network of the user terminal.

An apparatus configured to validate a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for a user terminal, the apparatus being located in a home network of the user terminal and comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the apparatus is operative to:
• obtain Service level related Performance Data (SPD) that have been collected by the user terminal while roaming in a visited network, wherein the SPD pertain to circuit-switched services provided in the visited network;
• obtain subscription information associated with the user terminal and indicative of an SLA;
• and
• validate the SLA based on a comparison of the SPD, or data derived therefrom, with the subscription information;
• receive, from the visited network and for the user terminal, a report pertaining to at least one of charging data and performance data;
• and
• validate:
• the SPD collected by the user terminal based on the performance data, or vice versa;
• and/or
• the charging data in the report based on the collected SPD, or vice versa.

A user terminal configured to report Service level related Performance Data (SPD) collected by the user terminal while roaming, the user terminal comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the user terminal is operative to:
• detect a data collection start condition;
• start, in response to detecting the data collection start condition, collection of SPD for circuit-switched services provided in a visited network to the roaming user terminal;
• detect a data reporting condition, wherein the data reporting condition is an attachment of the user terminal to the home network;
• and
• report, in response to detecting the data reporting condition, the collected SPD, wherein the collected SPD is reported to or via a home network of the user terminal.