Accounting architecture for cellular networks

This paper elaborates on the accounting architecture described in the cellular digital packet data (CDPD) standard and implemented in a product release. Accounting here pertains to the collection and distribution of subscriber usage data which could be used for statistical or billing purposes. Addressing billing issues is beyond the scope of this paper. The CDPD standard has addressed a number of key issues arising in providing an accounting service for cellular networks which can be of interest to the entire cellular community. These include issues of inter-service provider visiting. Protocols for the exchange of accounting data between multiple service providers are also discussed. This paper highlights some of the key elements of the CDPD accounting architecture that can be adopted for specifying a generic architecture for cellular voice networks. Accounting support for virtual private networks within the framework of this architecture is also discussed.