Method and system for providing prepaid and credit-limited telephone services

Abstract

A real-time telephone call monitoring, rating, and response system including real-time interfaces and switching centers that create and maintain in-process call detail records for on-going telephone calls. The real-time interfaces are accessed by a real-time monitoring unit in a billing system. The billing system maintains accounts and associated service profiles for subscribers. The billing system may also obtain temporary service profiles for roamers. For both subscribers and roamers, the billing system monitors the in-process call detail records in real time and instructs the switching centers to take certain actions, such as obtaining an alternate payment source, or disconnecting a communication, in response to financial considerations determined by the billing system. A prepaid telephone service card system, including a prepaid telephone service database located in the billing system, operates in connection with the real-time telephone call monitoring, rating, and response system. A holder of a prepaid telephone service card accesses a predaid telephone service card activation unit and enters the serial number printed on a card along with a directory number associated with a particular account maintained in the billing system. The billing system then credits the particular account with the value of the card and, during subsequent telephone calls incurring a charge to the account, charges the cost of the telephone service against the prepaid balance in the account.