Systems and methods for distributed charging in digital telecommunications networks

In a core network of a mobile communication environment, a method implemented by one or more network functions within the core network, the method comprising:

• provisioning a data path that carries network traffic via a plurality of network flows to a plurality of networks, the data path including a plurality of user plane function (UPF) instances, the plurality of UPF instances including a first UPF instance from which network traffic can be offloaded to a first network and a second UPF instance from which network traffic can be offloaded to a second network, the second UPF instance being chained in series behind the first UPF instance such that the first UPF instance is configured to make a determination to offload network traffic of a first network flow to the first network or pass the network traffic to the second UPF instance and the second UPF instance is configured to make a determination to offload network traffic of a second network flow to the second network;
• receiving a shared usage quota associated with a plurality of network flows including the first network flow and the second network flow;
• configuring the first UPF instance to apply a first metered amount of the shared usage quota to the first network flow that is offloaded to the first network at the first UPF instance;
• and
• configuring the second UPF instance to apply a second metered amount of the shared usage quota to the second network flow that is offloaded to the second network at the second UPF instance.

A system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• memory in electronic communication with the at least one processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the at least one processor to:
• provision a data path that carries network traffic via a plurality of network flows to a plurality of networks, the data path including a plurality of offloading points having a first offloading point from which network traffic can be offloaded to a first network and a second offloading point from which network traffic can be offloaded to a second network, the second offloading point being chained in series behind the first offloading point such that the first offloading point is configured to make a determination to offload network traffic of a first network flow to the first network or pass the network traffic to the second offloading point and the second offloading point is configured to make a determination to offload network traffic of a second network flow to the second network;
• receive a shared usage quota associated with a plurality of network flows including the first network flow and the second network flow;
• configure the first offloading point to apply a first metered amount of the shared usage quota to the first network flow that is offloaded to the first network at the first offloading point;
• and
• configure the second offloading point to apply a second metered amount of the shared usage quota to the second network flow that is offloaded to the second network at the second offloading point.