System and method for charging in a communications network and a communications network charging server

A system for charging in a communications network, comprising:

• a first service client for providing first Intelligent Network (IN) subscriber service to a subscriber wherein such first subscriber service doesn't have prepaid functionality;
• a prepaid service system for providing prepaid subscriber service to said subscriber, further comprising:
• a charging server adapted to handle subscriber account information,
• said first service client is adapted for originating and sending a first charging request message to the charging server before the first subscriber service is provided, using an on-line charging protocol, and
• said charging server is adapted to rate the first subscriber service and return an answer message to the first service client using said on-line charging protocol, said answer message including the price indication of the requested service.

A method for charging in a communications network including an Intelligent Network (IN) service client for providing a first subscriber service to a subscriber and a prepaid service system for providing prepaid subscriber service to said subscriber, further including a charging server adapted to handle a subscriber account storing subscriber account information, comprising the steps of:

• said IN service client originating and sending a first charging request message for said first subscriber service, wherein said IN service client doesn't have prepaid functionality, to the charging server before the service is provided, using an on-line charging protocol
• said charging server within said prepaid service system reserving an amount of resources from the subscriber account, wherein said amount depends on a requested amount included in said first charging request message;
• and
• returning an answer message including information indicating said amount of resources reserved from said subscriber account for enabling usage of said first subscriber service to by the IN service client for said subscriber.

A method for charging service usage in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• handling subscriber account information by a prepaid charging server,
• receiving a first charging request message for a first subscriber service for a subscriber, originating from an Intelligent Network (IN) service client, before the first subscriber service is provided, using an on-line charging protocol, wherein said first subscriber service doesn't have prepaid functionality,
• reserving an amount of resources from the subscriber account by said prepaid charging server, said amount depending on a requested amount included in said first charging request message about said first subscriber service, and
• returning an answer message including information indicating an amount of resources reserved from said subscriber account for enabling usage of said first subscriber service to the IN service client using said on-line charging protocol.

A method for providing charging service usage in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• storing subscriber account information within by a prepaid server system,
• receiving a first charging request message for a subscriber service for a subscriber by said prepaid server system, the request message originating from an Intelligent Network (IN) service client for providing said subscriber service, before the subscriber service is provided, using an on-line charging protocol, wherein said subscriber service doesn't have prepaid functionality;
• rating the subscriber service and
• returning an answer message to the IN service client using an said on-line charging protocol said answer message including the price indications of the requested service.