Crestel packs rich features in its convergent rating and charging solution. Some of the crux features of this solution are discussed below:

Prepaid-Postpaid Convergence
Crestel Rating & Charging achieves convergence at the network, service and catalog levels. At the network layer, Crestel achieves convergence by integrating fixed switched network through Crestel Mediation for offline charging. For online charging, it integrates with legacy networks through HP OC-SAC and with 2.5/3 G Data, VoIP/NGN, WIMAX and PPPoX Network through Dual Stack CRESTEL AAA. Convergence at the service layer ensures that rates bound to the rating catalog can be applied on the basis of service regardless of the whether the payment type is prepaid or postpaid. Since the rating catalog is bound to the product catalog, convergence at the service and catalog level is achieved automatically.

Such convergence at all levels enables smooth switching between prepaid and postpaid services.

Integration with Legacy IN Platforms
Crestel integrates easily with legacy IN platforms using HP OC-SAC. It is easily integrable with any IN platform using Diameter interface.

Convergent Rating Catalog for Next Generation Service Requirements
Next generation services require bundling of different services along with their rating catalogs. Crestel Convergent Rating is encased in the product catalog itself and is policy-based thus enabling rates to be applied on the basis of any xDR attribute. In a single product Crestel supports providers to have multiple services and instances.

Interfaces for Rating and Charging
Crestel Rating and Charging interfaces with Mediation, MBI and Dual Stack AAA to deliver convergence irrespective of the payment types. By communicating with the mediation system it rates or charges usage made available through unified CDRs as in case with purely postpaid services. For catering to IN platforms, it interfaces with HP OC-SAC relieving it of rating and charging functions which it forwards to Crestel using the MBI interface. In case of active mediation, Crestel interfaces with Dual Stack AAA which supports RADIUS and Diameter protocols for online rating and charging.

Seamless Integration with Other Crestel Modules
Crestel offers a single and wholesome convergent platform for providers offering next generation services.

• Product Catalog allows bundling of services with associated rate plans and charging. This takes care of multiple services, rates to be applied on usage based on policy parameters, and charges for one-time, fixed-time and recurring rentals.
• Customer Management includes single window convergent operations for prepaid and postpaid users. Crestel also ensures a healthy and transparent provider-customer relationship by providing Web Self-care, a self-care portal for customers irrespective of their payment type.
• Crestel’s Convergent Billing system provides a single-bill for multiple services. Charge heads in billing ensure smooth handling of complex tax-related issues.
• Voucher Management & Recharge: Crestel provides comprehensive Voucher Management and Recharge that replenishes unit and service balance for multi-services. This system is integrated with the product catalog and balance management system.
• Balance Management takes care of reservation prior to usage, balance deduction post-usage and replenishment on recharge.