Configuring Charge Codes

The Charge Codes table lets you configure metering tones:

■ Digital interfaces: Advice of Charge (AOC) services for Euro ISDN trunks (see Advice of Charge Services for Euro ISDN).

You can configure up to 25 different Charge Codes, where each table row represents a Charge Code. Each Charge Code can include up to four different time periods in a day (24 hours). The device selects the time period by comparing the device's current time to the end time of each time period of the selected Charge Code. The device generates the number of pulses (units) upon call connection (answer), and from that point on, it generates a pulse (unit) for each interval. If a call starts at a certain time period and crosses to the next period, the information of the next time period is used. For Advice of Charge services (digital interfaces only), you can also configure the currency type in the sent AOC messages as well as a multiplier that is applied to the charged units.

To assign Charge Codes to Tel-to-IP calls, use the Tel-to-IP Routing table.

● The Charge Codes table is applicable only to the following interfaces:
✔ Euro ISDN PRI

The following procedure describes how to configure Charge Codes through the Web interface. You can also configure it through ini file [ChargeCode] or CLI (configure voip > gateway dtmf-supp-service charge-code).

➢ To configure a Charge Code:
1. Open the Charge Codes table (Setup menu > Signaling & Media tab > Gateway folder > Routing > Charge Codes).
2. Click New; the following dialog box appears:

3. Configure a Charge Code according to the parameters described in the table below.
4. Click Apply.

Charge Codes Table Parameter Descriptions

Parameter

Description

'Index'

[Index]

Defines an index number for the new table row.

Note: Each row must be configured with a unique index.

'Name'

charge-code-name

[ChargeCodeName]

Defines a descriptive name, which is used when associating the row in other tables.

The valid value is a string of up to 40 characters.

Note:

■ Configure each row with a unique name.
■ The parameter value cannot contain a forward slash (/).

'End Time (1 - 4)'

end-time-<1-4>

[EndTime<1-4>]

Defines the time at which this charging code ends.

The valid value is a time in 24-hour format (hh). For example, to denote 4 AM, configure the parameter to "04" (without quotation marks).

Note:

■ The first time period always starts at midnight (00).
■ It is mandatory that the last time period of each rule end at midnight (00). This prevents undefined time frames in a day.

'Interval (1 - 4)'

interval-<1-4>

[PulseInterval<1-4>]

Defines the interval (in tenths of a second) for charging the call. The first interval starts from when the call is answered (connected).

■ Defines the interval between every sent AOC-D message, which is included in the ISDN Facility information element (IE) message.

For example, if you configure the parameter to 20, the device sends a charge every 2 seconds (i.e., 20 x 0.1). If the call duration is 10 seconds, the total call charge amount (excluding the connection charge, which is configured by the 'Amount On Answer' parameter) is 5. In other words, 10 seconds divided by 2-second intervals is 5, and then 5 multiplied by the default interval charge of 1 is 5.

Note:

■ By default, the charged amount sent per interval is one pulse (unit). However, for digital interfaces, you can configure this charge, using the ISDNAoCAmountPerInterval parameter.
■ If you configure the 'Multiplier of Amount' parameter (see below), then the actual interval charge is multiplied by the 'Multiplier of Amount' parameter value. For example, if the interval charge is 1 (default) and you configure the 'Multiplier of Amount' parameter to 0.1, then the interval charge is 0.1 (i.e., 1 x 0.1).
■ You can configure the interval for sending the AOC messages, using the ISDNAoCMinIntervalGeneration global parameter. This doesn't affect the interval charge. If this global parameter value is less than the 'Interval' parameter, the global parameter is ignored. For example, if you configure the 'Interval' parameter to 20 (i.e., 2 seconds) and the ISDNAoCMinIntervalGeneration parameter to 40 (i.e., 4 seconds), the device sends AOC messages every 0.4 seconds, but charges the call every 2 seconds.

'Amount On Answer (1 - 4)'

amount-on-answer-<1-4>

[PulsesOnAnswer<1-4>]

Defines the one-time call charge upon call connection (call answer).

■ Defines the number of charging units or amount that the device generates when the call is answered, which it sends as the first AOC-D message in the ISDN Facility information element (IE) message.

Note:

■ If you configure the 'Currency' parameter (see below), the charge is sent with this currency (e.g., 5 USD).
■ If you configure the 'Multiplier of Amount' parameter (see below), then the actual charge is the value of the 'Amount On Answer' parameter multiplied by the 'Multiplier of Amount' parameter value. For example, if you configure the 'Amount On Answer' parameter to 50 and the 'Multiplier of Amount' parameter to 0.1, then the charge sent is 5 (i.e., 50 x 0.1).

'Currency'

currency

[Currency]

Defines the currency of the charge.

The valid value is a string of up to 10 characters. For example, "USD" (without quotation marks). By default, no value is defined. The device includes the currency in AOC messages in IA5 format.

'Multiplier of Amount'

multiplier

[Multiplier]

Defines the multiplier of the call connection charge (configured by the 'Amount On Answer' parameter) and the interval charge.

■ [0] 0.001
■ [1] 0.01 (default)
■ [2] 0.1
■ [3] 1
■ [4] 10
■ [5] 100
■ [6] 1000

For example, if you configure the parameter to 0.1 and the 'Amount On Answer' parameter to 50, the sent call connection charge is 5 (i.e., 50 x 0.1). In addition, if the interval charge is 1 (default), the charge for every interval is 0.1 (i.e., 1 x 0.1).