Dual Coupon of UGW9811

The Dual Coupon function enables the OCS server to deliver quotas (before the tariff switching point) for separate use before and after the tariff switching point.

This feature prevents the UGW9811 from applying to the OCS server to renew quotas for all subscribers at the tariff switching point, reducing the signaling load on the OCS server. In addition, this feature avoids duplicated quota application, and therefore prevents the long delays that subscribers experience when obtaining network services. Before the tariff switching point, the OCS server can deliver a quota that will take effect after the tariff switching point. Therefore, the UGW9811 does not need to apply to the OCS server for a quota during tariff switching.

The service flow of the Dual Coupon function is as follows:

1.  The OCS server sets a tariff switching point, and before the tariff switching point is reached, reserves quotas for both the period before the tariff switching point and the period after the tariff switching point. Then, the OCS server delivers these quotas and actions to the UGW9811 and deducts the consumed quotas before and after the tariff switching point that the UGW9811 reports.

2.  The OCS server delivers a CCA message carrying both a pre-tariff switching quota and a post-tariff switching quota to the UGW9811. The Tariff-Change-Usage AVP in the Multiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP group in the CCA message indicates which is the pre-tariff switching quota and which is the post-tariff switching quota. The Tariff-Time-Change AVP in the Granted-Service-Unit AVP group in the CCA message indicates the tariff switching point.

3.  After receiving quota information from the OCS server, before the tariff switching point, the UGW9811 controls credit based on the quota and action in the Multiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP group for the period before the tariff switching point. After the tariff switching point, the UGW9811 controls credit based on the quota and action in the Multiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP group for the period after the tariff switching point. If the pre-tariff switching quota is not used up after the tariff switching point, the remaining quota is not used.

The constraints on the Dual Coupon function are as follows:

·         The Dual Coupon function does not support event quotas.

·         The Dual Coupon function is not compatible with the Default Quota function. You must disable the Default Quota function when using the Dual Coupon function.

·         You cannot set the pre-tariff switching action for an MSCC-level result code to continue. If you set the action to continue, the UGW9811 ignores the post-tariff switching quota and changes the charging mode to offline charging.

·         In the Dual Coupon function, only trigger-report is used for the Block parameter in the action for an MSCC-level result code. If non-report or immediate-report is used, the UGW9811 ignores the post-tariff switching quota.