Method for delivering dynamic policy rules to an end user, according on his/her account balance and service subscription level, in a telecommunication network

An extended online charging system (EOCS) for a telecommunication system to facilitate dynamic management of policy rules for an end user of the telecommunication system during a communication session, the EOCS comprising:

• at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code;
• at least one first communication interface configured for communications between the EOCS and a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) of the telecommunication system;
• and
• at least one second communication interface configured for communications between the EOCS and a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) of the telecommunication system;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one second communication interface are configured to receive a credit request from the PCEF for allocation of service units to a subscriber account associated with a communication session during the communication session;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one second communication interface are configured to send a credit answer with an allocation of service units for the subscriber account to the PCEF during the communication session in response to the credit request, wherein the PCEF monitors usage of the allocated service units during the communication session;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one second communication interface are configured to receive a report on usage of the allocated service units from the PCEF during the communication session;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code are configured to determine a policy/rule change is needed for the subscriber account based at least in part on the report from the PCEF;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one first communication interface are configured to send a notification of policy change for the subscriber account to the PCRF during the communication session after determining the policy/rule change is needed, wherein the notification of policy change for the subscriber account indicates the policy/rule change is needed and triggers a process for determining the policy/rule change for the subscriber account at the PCRF.

A method for delivering dynamic policy rules for an end user of a telecommunication system during a communication session, comprising:

• receiving a credit request for allocation of service units to a subscriber account associated with a communication session during the communication session from a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) of the telecommunication system at an extended online charging systems (EOCS) of the telecommunication system;
• sending a credit answer with an allocation of service units for the subscriber account from the EOCS to the PCEF during the communication session in response to the credit request, wherein the PCEF monitors usage of the allocated service units during the communication session;
• receiving a report on usage of the allocated service units from the PCEF at the EOCS during the communication session;
• determining a policy/rule change is needed for the subscriber account based at least in part on the report from the PCEF;
• sending a notification of policy change for the subscriber account from the EOCS to the PCRF during the communication session after determining the policy/rule change is needed, wherein the notification of policy change for the subscriber account indicates the policy/rule change is needed and triggers a process for determining the policy/rule change for the subscriber account at the PCRF.

A policy and charging rules function (PCRF) for a telecommunication system to facilitate dynamic management of policy rules for an end user of the telecommunication system during a communication session, the PCRF comprising:

• at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code;
• at least one first communication interface configured for communications between the PCRF and an extended online charging system (EOCS) of the telecommunication system;
• and
• at least one second communication interface configured for communications between the PCRF and a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) of the telecommunication system;
• wherein the PCEF sends a credit request to the EOCS for allocation of service units to a subscriber account associated with a communication session during the communication session;
• wherein PCEF receives a credit answer from the EOCS with an allocation of service units for the subscriber account during the communication session;
• wherein the PCEF monitors usage of the allocated service units during the communication session and sends a report on usage of the allocated service units to the EOCS during the communication session;
• wherein the report from the PCEF is to be used by the EOCS to determine a policy/rule change is needed for the subscriber account;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, the computer program code, and the at least one first communication interface are configured to receive a notification of policy change for the subscriber account from the EOCS during the communication session, wherein the notification of policy change for the subscriber account indicates the policy/rule change is needed;
• wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code are configured to determine the policy/rule change for the subscriber account in response to the notification of policy change.

A method for delivering dynamic policy rules for an end user of a telecommunication system during a communication session, comprising:

• providing a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) in the telecommunication system, wherein the PCRF is configured to communicate with a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) of the telecommunication system and an extended online charging system (EOCS) of the telecommunication system, wherein the PCEF sends a credit request to the EOCS for allocation of service units to a subscriber account associated with a communication session during the communication session, wherein the EOCS sends a credit answer with an allocation of service units for the subscriber account to the PCEF during the communication session in response to the credit request, wherein the PCEF monitors usage of the allocated service units during the communication session and sends a report on usage of the allocated service units to the EOCS during the communication session, wherein the EOCS determines a policy/rule change is needed for the subscriber account based at least in part on the report from the PCEF;
• receiving a notification of policy change for the subscriber account from the EOCS at the PCRF during the communication session after the EOCS determines the policy/rule change is needed, wherein the notification of policy change for the subscriber account indicates the policy/rule change is needed;
• and
• determining the policy/rule change for the subscriber account in response to the notification of policy change.