Generic framework for the provision of efficient location-based charging over future mobile communication networks

The provision of location-based services is expected to have essential impact in the competition among 3G network operators. To support the realization of this functionality the standard UMTS infrastructure will probably need to be supplemented with additional intelligent components. Furthermore, flexible location-based charging mechanisms have to be designed and deployed to allow subscribers to be charged with different rates, depending on their location and profiles. In this paper a proposed platform for location-aware service provision is introduced and the interactions among its constituent components for applying an efficient location-based charging scheme are discussed in detail.