Alcatel Lucent

Alcatel Sel Aktiengesellschaft

Bernhard Klotz

Uwe Ackermann

The invention concerns a method, a network element and a computer program product for monitoring the quality of a real-time communication () in a packet network () comprising at least two test points (). A packet stream pattern () is accessed and injected at a first test point (). After transmission of the packet stream pattern () through the packet network (), a degraded packet stream pattern () is received at a second test point (). Characteristics of the degraded packet stream pattern () are determined and compared with corresponding characteristics of the packet stream pattern () injected at the first test point (). Based on the comparison, data concerning quality degradation caused by transmission over the packet network () is evaluated.

Method of monitoring the quality of a realtime communication

A mobile-radio network (MRS) includes a mobile switching center (MSC) for receiving incoming calls from mobile-radio subscribers (A). In response to the incoming calls, certain ones of the incoming calls are selected if the respective mobile-radio subscriber (A) has a debit account assigned to it and the debit account has a credit balance. The credit balance is compared with a predetermined minimum balance (Dmin1) and a call is completed if the credit balance exceeds the predetermined minimum balance. The debit account for the respective mobile-radio subscriber is charged a unit fee. Incorporated in the mobile switching center (MSC) is a service switching point (SSP). Additionally, a service control point (SCP) is connected to the service switching point and includes an arithmetic unit (DC) for call charging. The mobile-radio network structure makes it possible to establish connections and charge incoming calls using simple exchange protocols (INAP) without having to change conventional network protocols (MAP).

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Stuttgart, Germany

Bernhard Klotz