Telephony Billing Devin Jones cs294-3 April 2, 2002

Simple Billing Overview Call is made Call Data Record: – Source, Destination #s – Start and End times CDR stored until rated Call is rated Additional Tariffs/Credits assessed Billing is run, invoices produced

Call Rating CDR examined: –Nonbillable calls: an 800 number a local call –a toll call Originating number time the call was placed distance between callers

Call Invoicing Usually once a month Billing complexities Beyond rating: –Volume discounts –Monthly fees, taxes

Options Current quotes based on CDR? Drop nonbillable info? –Storage vs. usage patterns Support for electronic formats –Business customers

Standard Issues Reliability Accuracy Readability Data formats

Complexities Billing for multiple services – Local, long-dist., Internet, wireless, cable TV… Settlement with interconnect partners

Interconnect Review Allows customers of one network to communicate with customers of another 30%-50% of revenues for some operators Especially – International calls – Mobile – Internet Telephony

Types of International Interconnect Accounting Rate Cascade Direct Re-Filing/Hubbing Reseller, Re-origination

New under deregulation Precision billing Multiple Currencies Flat Rate Stepped Rates Minimum Charge Zero-duration/Call attempt charge

Emerging Clearinghouses Linking IP networks Widely used as a choice in routing table Quality allows use as single source OSP (open settlement protocol) Popular due to Costs: – Hardware / 10 – Network access / 2

Telco Billing

OSP VoIP Billing

Resourced links – – – – – – – – – Lacroix-%20Evolution%20of%20Inter%20Carrier%20Settlement-En.pdf Lacroix-%20Evolution%20of%20Inter%20Carrier%20Settlement-En.pdf