Technical Report on Value Added

Switch Operations
Contents
1.

Introduction.............................................................................................................

2.

Charging System.......................................................................................................
2.1 Service Data Point (SDP)..................................................................................................................
2.2 Charging Control Node (CCN)..........................................................................................................
2.3 Account Finder (AF)..........................................................................................................................
2.4 Voucher Server (VS)..........................................................................................................................
2.5 Mobile IN Service Administration Tool (MINSAT)...........................................................................
2.6 Account Information and Refill (AIR)...............................................................................................

3.

Traffic Cases............................................................................................................
3.1 USSD User Account Refill................................................................................................................
Steps......................................................................................................................
3.2 USSD Balance Enquiry.....................................................................................................................
Steps......................................................................................................................
3.3 Originating Charged call....................................................................................................................
Steps......................................................................................................................

4.

Backups................................................................................................................

5.

Daily Routines........................................................................................................
5.1 SDP..................................................................................................................................................
5.2 CCN.................................................................................................................................................
5.3 Voucher Server.................................................................................................................................
5.4 MINSAT..........................................................................................................................................
5.5 AIR..................................................................................................................................................

6.

SMCS..................................................................................................................

7.

The Major Role I played in VAS Operations...................................................................

8.

Conclusion............................................................................................................
8.1

Way forward.................................................................................................

1.

Introduction

The report gives a brief overview of Charging system and its network elements. Chapter 3
discusses the traffic cases between the network elements while chapter 4 and 5 discusses the
backups and daily routines done on each node respectively. The routines carried in each
network elements and backups made on the network elements are discussed.
2. Charging System
Charging system (CS) is a cost efficient charging solution. It helps network operators to
charge in real time for events and sessions in the mobile network. The events and sessions
can either be voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS) or events using General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS). In CS each subscriber is connected to an account that can be refilled.
Charging System provides with possibility of market segmentation, tools for tariff
management, bonus and loyalty programs. Charging system consists of the following
network elements:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Service Data Point (SDP)

Charging Control Node (CCN)
Account Finder (AF)
Voucher Server (VS)
Mobile IN Service Administration Tool (MINSAT)
Account Information and Refill (AIR)

2.1 Service Data Point (SDP)

SDP contains the database with subscriber and account information. It performs charging
analysis of prepaid calls whereby it does the following tasks; it reserve money from the
subscriber account for initiation of a call, administrate the Announcements (e.g. during end of
a call there is a tone played, making the calling subscriber to be aware that the call is about to
end) and it also update the subscriber account after the call. SDP also assist in refill processes
whereby it updates the subscriber account or balance with the money that the voucher worth.
SDP helps in processing of Charging Data Records (CDR), it also helps in initiating and
sending of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) as well as Short Message
Services (SMS) notifications. For instance, in USSD balance enquiry SDP communicates
with AIR to provide with the balance of the user. SDP administrate or manages the following
data:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Subscribers Account Information

Service Classes
Tariff and Charging Analysis
Dedicated Accounts

5) Subscriber Life Cycle

6) USSD and SMS Notification
7) Promotion Plan