Policy and charging integration

Applying Policies from Mobile Core

Via the ServiceGlue functionality, it is possible to intelligently map different policy definitions implemented by the mobile operator to corresponding parameters in the Wi-Fi network. Policy decisions can be retrieved from the PCRF/PCF through standard interfaces and can also be sourced from any database at the mobile operator that supports SOAP/XML, REST, LDAP, or RADIUS.

Policy definitions can include:

• Allowed locations for access.
• Volume/time limitations.
• Quality of Service (QoS).
• Prepaid or postpaid status.
• User type.

For example, a subscriber’s service level data can be retrieved from the CRM system and mapped to Quality of Service (QoS) parameters in the Wi-Fi network. Additional policies can be retrieved from the PCRF/PCF and intelligently translated (via the ServiceGlue mapping functionality) to match the capabilities of the specific Wi-Fi network. With Enea Aptilo SMP, the mobile operator can control the user experience even for locally offloaded traffic, without needing to backhaul traffic to the mobile core which is the norm in 3GPP Wi-Fi Access.

Our policy converter is also designed to map and translate policies to specific attributes for vendors such as HPE Aruba, Cisco, and Ruckus, leveraging their proprietary QoS control features.

Enea Aptilo SMP also features advanced QoS functionalities, including the Automatic Bandwidth Balancer, which evenly distributes all available bandwidth among active user sessions, and the Dynamic Bandwidth Throttling function, which allows users to consume a “bucket” of data with bandwidth gradually throttling down as the data is consumed. It is also possible to use dual buckets.

Applying Policies from Enea Aptilo SMP

An alternative to retrieving policies directly from the mobile core is to provision policies for Wi-Fi sessions directly within the service management system for the Wi-Fi service. This approach offers distinct advantages, as these systems typically have a deeper understanding of Wi-Fi-specific policies compared to the standard PCRF/PCF. The Enea Aptilo SMP (software) and SMP-S (service on AWS) include a built-in Wi-Fi policy manager that has been proven effective in large-scale Wi-Fi deployments worldwide.

Mobile operators can configure policies for Wi-Fi users through one of our APIs or manually via the graphical user interface (GUI). This solution can also be combined with the optional pre-integrated prepaid and captive portal functionality, providing further flexibility in managing user access and experience.

Quota Management and Billing

Depending on the business model, the mobile operator may want to bill users or at least control the quota (credits of time and/or Mb) and deny access if the quota is depleted.

For prepaid billing, the Enea Aptilo SMP optional built-in prepaid system can check out quota from the mobile operator’s prepaid system. This can be done via our Quota Provider API or Diameter Gy. Usage is then reported back to the prepaid system. Alternatively, our solution can act independently from the mobile core as the prepaid system for Wi-Fi usage and get top-up via integration with the mobile operator’s self-care portal.

For postpaid billing, Enea Aptilo SMP can send Charging Data Records (CDRs) and accounting data to the mobile operator’s billing system via our native billing interface or through the Diameter Gz interface.

Full Integration with Mobile Core through Diameter

The Enea Aptilo SMP SIM Authentication function, the Diameter conversion functionality, and/or Aptilo ServiceGlue work in concert to provide a mobile data offloading experience that is seamless not only for the subscriber but for the mobile core as well. Policies can be retrieved from different sources via the Diameter Gx and then be translated to the corresponding parameters and mechanisms in the Wi-Fi network.

With Aptilo’s Diameter conversion functionality, operators can transparently control and charge for services via standard Diameter (Gx, Gy and Gz) interfaces in the Wi-Fi network with the same mechanisms that they are using in the cellular network.  These can still be differentiated for Wi-Fi usage.

Wi-Fi Usage Statistics to Facilitate Roaming

Even if the end-users are not billed for the service, usage still needs to be monitored for mediation and rating with roaming partners and to understand user behavior and how much data traffic has been offloaded from the cellular networks.

We have deployment experience with WBA OpenRoaming and all leading global roaming partners such as Boingo and iPass.