Method and Apparatus for Edge Charging Control in a Communication Network

A method of charging control for a communication network, the method performed by a node operative as an edge charging function (eCHF) and comprising:

• receiving a charging request from a Charging Trigger Function (CTF), requesting a quota for authorizing consumption by a first user terminal of an edge service provided by the communication network, the first user terminal being a member of a defined group of affiliated user terminals;
• sending a corresponding charging request towards a charging node associated with the communication network;
• receiving a charging response from the charging node, the charging response indicating a granted group quota usable for authorizing consumption of the edge service by members of the defined group;
• deciding, as a locally-granted quota, what fraction of the granted group quota to grant to the first user terminal;
• and
• sending a charging response to the CTF, indicating the locally-granted quota.

A node operative as an edge charging function (eCHF) for a communication network, the node comprising:

• communication interface circuitry configured to send and receive messages, including charging requests and charging responses;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively associated with the communication interface circuitry and configured to:
• receive a charging request from a Charging Trigger Function (CTF), requesting a quota for authorizing consumption by a first user terminal of an edge service provided by the communication network, the first user terminal being a member of a defined group of affiliated user terminals;
• send a corresponding charging request towards a charging node associated with the communication network;
• receive a charging response from the charging node, the charging response indicating a granted group quota usable for authorizing consumption of the edge service by members of the defined group;
• decide, as a locally-granted quota, what fraction of the granted group quota to grant to the first user terminal;
• and
• send a charging response to the CTF, indicating the locally-granted quota.

A method of charging control for a communication network, the method performed by a charging node associated with the communication network and comprising:

• receiving a request originating from an edge Charging Function (eCHF), requesting a quota for authorizing consumption by a first user terminal of an edge service provided by the communication network, the first user terminal being a member of a defined group of affiliated user terminals;
• granting a group quota usable for authorizing consumption of the edge service by members of the defined group;
• and
• sending a response intended for the eCHF, indicating the granted group quota.

A charging node configured for charging control for a communication network, the charging node comprising:

• communication interface circuitry configured to send and receive messages, including requests and responses related to charging;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively associated with the communication interface circuitry and configured to:
• receive a request originating from an edge Charging Function (eCHF), requesting a quota for authorizing consumption by a first user terminal of an edge service provided by the communication network, the first user terminal being a member of a defined group of affiliated user terminals;
• grant a group quota usable for authorizing consumption of the edge service by members of the defined group;
• and
• send a response intended for the eCHF, indicating the granted group quota.