Method and apparatus for managing charging operations for a communication network

A network node configured for operation in a charging system associated with a communication network, the network node comprising:

• communication interface circuitry configured for communicatively coupling the network node to one or more other nodes in the charging system or the communication network;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively associated with the communication interface circuitry and configured to:
• receive a request in relation to a charging session for a user device, for authorizing consumption by the user device of a communication service provided via the communication network;
• grant a quota of units authorizing a corresponding amount of consumption of the communication service by the user device, the granted quota granted in dependence on a credit reservation;
• and
• send a response to the request that indicates the granted quota and indicates whether quota management is active, where the granted quota applies to the charging session on an immediate basis if quota management is active and otherwise applies on a deferred basis, upon quota management subsequently becoming active.