Performance metrics for context-based charging in 3GPP Online Charging System

This paper introduces reference metrics for performance assessment of context-based charging, based on a novel model in which the charging process is capable of adapting to the user context by handling context-change driven events. The proposed metrics correspond to the response time in the relevant signalling scenarios, derived from the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network standards, to which the model has been mapped. The selected signalling scenarios handle the following events: (1) session initiation, modification, and termination; (2) a request sent by the relevant network function to retrieve the context; and (3) the notification regarding the relevant context change. The proposed metrics are applied to asses the performance of the prototype Online Charging System that utilizes the user context. Measurement results are finally discussed in a Video-on-Demand service use case.