Interim billing for sessions in ims networks

Abstract

Charging systems and associated methods are disclosed that provide interim billing for a session in an IMS network. The charging system includes a charging data system that receives accounting messages from network elements serving the session in the IMS network, and generates partial CDRs for each network element based on the accounting messages. The charging data system also sets an aggregation/correlation timer. Responsive to an expiration of the aggregation/correlation timer, the charging data system aggregates the partial CDRs for each network element to generate an aggregated CDR for each network element. The charging system further includes a charging gateway system that, in further response to the expiration of the aggregation/correlation timer, correlates the aggregated CDRs to generate an interim consolidated CDR for the session, and transmits the interim consolidated CDR to a billing system. The billing system may then provide interim billing for the session based on the interim consolidated CDR.