Node

The node on which the service is provided to the end users.

Tariff

A tariff is applied to end users to charge for the provided service.

Access Code

Identification of the access code (method) on that node. This parameter allows you to use different rate plans for the same service. For example, you may choose a rate plan according to the PSTN access number (local or toll-free) that the customer has dialed. Or you may use different rate plans for outgoing, incoming and forwarded calls in your SIP calls service using the OUTGOING, INCOMING and FOLLOWME access codes, respectively. (While for services such as prepaid cards the access code is a number, for other services any string may be used, so long as it is one provided by the application handling the call).

Service

Advanced Config

Service Allowed to Suspended Users

This parameter allows / disallows end users to use certain services when their accounts are suspended:

• None – No services are provided to suspended users;

• Zero Charged Only  – Allows your customers to continue using free services during suspension periods. For example, if their account is suspended and you want to allow them to continue receiving incoming calls (since they are free) select this option.

Originating line information

This parameter allows service providers to charge end users depending on where the call originates from.

For more information please refer to the OLI-Based Billing section of the PortaBilling Administrator Guide.

Rate Match Mode

This parameter allows you to rate calls either based on the destination or the caller’s number:

• Default – Rating based on the destination number

• Calling number – Allows the use of the caller’s number to calculate billing charges (e.g. for charging the owner of a toll-free number for incoming calls).

Overdraft Protection

Remaining balance requirement

• When set to Positive amount available, account should have some available funds to use the service, regardless of the service itself being provided for free (e.g. free calls).

• Switching this option to Positive amount greater than breakage allows you to set the minimum available funds required for using the service to the product’s breakage value.

• The option No restriction allows a session to start without first verifying the account’s available funds.

Lock at least

Select this check box to set the funds for each individual session to be locked when it reaches a certain amount (effective only if the specified amount is higher than the computed deposit amount required for the session authorization).

If an account’s available funds fall below a certain value, you can use this option together with the Remaining balance requirement option to restrict usage to only one session at a time (even for free sessions), thus providing additional overdraft protection.

Or you can use this option together with the Each fund lock allocates no more than option to provide additional protection for simultaneous session use. (For example, select the Each fund lock allocates no more than option from the Lock at least list and more funds will be locked without changing the sessions’ duration).

Limit maximum locked funds for each session to

Select to reduce the funds to be locked for each individual session but does not restrict the session itself (effective only if the specified value is lower than the computed funds required for session authorization). This option weakens the strictness of overdraft protection, so the user can use funds above the limit to initiate several simultaneous sessions.

You can use this option to fine tune the strictness of overdraft protection for postpaid services where a certain overdraft can be allowed. In this case, the funds above the limit can be used for several simultaneous sessions.

Each fund lock allocates no more than

In the case of a single session, this determines the maximum amount of account funds to be used for the session, and in the case of dynamic reauthorization, this determines the extension (chunk) of already consumed funds. This option limits the maximum amount of funds requested by the NAS, thus allowing more strict protection. It may be used for static authorization in order to leave some account funds unlocked and accommodate simultaneous usage of other services.

If dynamic reauthorization is unavailable and there is a big price difference in the tariff, this option can’t be applied effectively (e.g. if this option has low value, expensive calls would be limited to very short durations; if it has high value, cheap calls would be authorized with overly long durations, unnecessarily blocking the account from simultaneous usage). In this case, you can use this option to fine tune the strictness of overdraft protection.

Send alerts when overdraft is detected

Attempts to use the services simultaneously while all funds are locked by a session can signal a fraud attempt (for services such as calling with prepaid cards). This can be the result of inaccurate overdraft protection constraints. Turn this option on in order to receive real-time email alerts about these attempts.