Method and apparatus for charging

A method performed by a control plane function entity, comprising:

• sending a first message to a user plane function entity, wherein the first message comprises one or more information elements referencing one or more pre-defined packet detection rules (PDRs) configured in the user plane function entity, wherein the one or more pre-defined PDRs specify one or more predefined usage reporting rules (URRs);
• receiving a second message comprising a usage report from the user plane function entity, wherein the usage report comprises at least one predefined rule name to identify the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs if the usage report is generated for at least one of the one or more predefined URRs which was activated by the user plane function entity, and the information for describing received user traffic which is related to the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs;
• and
• processing the usage report based on the information for describing received user traffic which is related to the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs.

A user plane function entity, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said user plane function entity is operative to:
• receive a first message from a control plane function entity, wherein the first message comprises one or more information elements referencing one or more pre-defined packet detection rules (PDRs) configured in the user plane function entity, wherein the one or more pre-defined PDRs specify one or more predefined usage reporting rules (URRs);
• activate the one or more pre-defined PDRs;
• generate a usage report for at least one of the one or more predefined URRs, wherein the usage report comprises at least one predefined rule name to identify the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs if the usage report is generated for the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs which was activated by the user plane function entity, and information for describing received user traffic which is related to the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs;
• and
• send a second message comprising the usage report to the control plane function entity.

A control plane function entity, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said control plane function entity is operative to:
• send a first message to a user plane function entity, wherein the first message comprises one or more information elements referencing one or more pre-defined packet detection rules (PDRs) configured in the user plane function entity, wherein the one or more pre-defined PDRs specify one or more predefined usage reporting rules (URRs);
• receive a second message comprising a usage report from the user plane function entity, wherein the usage report comprises at least one predefined rule name to identify the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs if the usage report is generated for at least one of the one or more predefined URRs which was activated by the user plane function entity, and the information for describing received user traffic which is related to the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs;
• and
• process the usage report based on the information for describing received user traffic which is related to the at least one of the one or more predefined URRs.