PCC in action

Following the release of our recent white paper – How PCC Can Provide A Competitive Edge, here we take another look at how PCC is working in real life cases. In this blog post we focus on how PCC works to enable a subscriber designed product, VoWiFi control, automatic recharge and differentiated roaming charges.

In this scenario, the subscriber is able to define / configure their monthly subscription based on their own individual needs. Enabling subscribers to set their own levels of voice minutes, SMS and data allowance, gives them the freedom to be in complete control of their account.

In addition to setting volumes of texts, calls and data, subscribers can also purchase a better Quality of Service (QoS) for data traffic, thereby doubling their surfing speed when it suits them to do so.

This kind of scenario can be realised using the Symsoft OCS and PCRF, which use IN and Diameter specified interfaces (Gy and Gx), alongside various individual subscriber counters, and an integrated SPR.

In order to allow for a quick TTM, and to be able to disrupt the market, Operators can configure this functionality using the client GUI or an API. Additionally, Symsoft offers Managed Services to help Operators put a use case like this into action.

VoWiFi is becoming more and more important for enabling MNOs to increase quality of coverage indoors, and leverage their existing residential coverage, SMB and public network. It is also becoming more important for MVNOs, as it can dramatically reduce their wholesale forecasted costs and enable new ways to offer roaming services to their customers. Because of this, it’s important that VoWiFi is controlled in real time, as if it were any other licensed spectrum access network. MNOs and MVNOs still want to offer the best experience possible for their customers, and switching from 3G / 4G networks to WiFi networks needs to be done seamlessly.

Symsoft Consolidated Policy and Charging Control can provide MNOs and MVNOs with the tools to enable integrated offerings, and control the Quality of Service of WiFi calling bearers, so that the user experience is homogeneous no matter which access network is being used by the customer.

In this scenario, MVNOs are able to simplify the ‘data bucket’ offering for their customers, by promoting one tariff based on unit charging and rating. Automatic recharge is the ideal way of topping up a pre-paid account. By registering a payment method, automatic recharge can easily be configured to top up by a pre-determined amount, once a specific balance is reached, at a specific moment in time, or whenever any other configured condition is matched. This provides the opportunity to push for a hybrid offering in countries where prepaid accounts are predominant, creating a more loyal customer base.

Let’s say that the subscriber lives in the UK for this scenario. The Home Operator (i.e. the Operator that provides the service in the country where the subscriber lives), offers UK customers roaming abroad (outside of the EU) special pricing while they are attached to a ‘friendly’ roaming Operator. This special pricing might include an unlimited data bucket for a fixed price per day service when the subscriber is attached to the ‘friendly’ roaming Operator. Being attached to Other Operators’ network may be charged at a premium price. This kind of service would naturally be subject to a fair usage policy, which can be easily controlled with PCC.

To find out more about how PCC can help with digital transformation, download your free copy of our white paper today.

Originally posted on www.symsoft.com, find out more about Symsoft’s rebrand to Sinch in the press release here.