Method of charging for the use of an internet service plus a service control unit and a service provider unit

A service control unit (SCP) that is used to charge for the use of an internet service (SERV) by a subscriber of a communications network (KN), who accesses the internet service (SERV) via a communication connection (COM) of the communications network between a terminal (TE) and an internet (NT), wherein the service control unit (SCP) comprises:

• A) a communication unit (GTW) for establishing a separate control connection (KOMM) between the internet service (SERV) and the service control unit (SCP);
• and
• B) a service logic (SL) configured to be triggered when the communication connection (COM) is established between the terminal (TE) and the internet (INT), the service logic for receiving fee charging data (CHARG), which identifies the fees for use of the internet service (SERV) by a subscriber, the service logic receiving the charging data via the control connection (KOMM), and the service logic controlling the charging of the fees in the communications network (KN);
• wherein all communication via the internet (NT) between the communications network (KN) and the internet service (SERV) consists of data other than security-relevant data of the subscriber.

A service provider unit (SERVU) to furnish a chargeable internet service (SERV) for a subscriber of a communications network (KN), the communications network including a service unit (SERV_IN), the subscriber accessing the internet service (SERV) by means of a terminal (TE) of the communications network (KN), the service provider unit (SERVU) comprising:

• A) a communication unit KOMM for communicating with the service unit (SERV_IN) of the communications network (KN);
• and
• B) a fee charging unit (CH_CONTR) which is designed so that, when the internet service (SERV) is accessed via a communication connection (COM) in the communications network (KIN) between the terminal (TE) and the internet (INT), the fee charging unit (CH_CONTR) additionally establishes a separate control connection (KOMM) to the service unit (SERV_IN) of the communications network (KN), and controls the transmission of fee charging data (CHARG), which identify the fees for the use of the internet service (SERV) by the accessing subscriber, to the service unit (SERV_IN) of the communications network (KN) via the control connection (KOMM);
• wherein all communication via the internet (INT) between the communications network (KN) and the internet service (SERV) consists of data other than security-relevant data of the subscriber.