VoIP-7 and Billing

The current method of processing a current VoIP call is to spread call handling among different pieces of equipment, each performing a separate and distinct function. Billing information is derived from multiple "event" records produced by each piece of equipment that participates in the call. The events from the gatekeeper and the originating and terminating gateways must be collected and matched to create a single, complete billing record. This is oftentimes a difficult task due to problems such as time synchronization, lack of knowledge of network topology and interconnections, insufficient information to identify individual calls, etc. Frankly, billing information has usually been an afterthought in the creation of these network components.

The NACT solution is to process VoIP calls through one intelligent gateway or softswitch managing multiple gateways, following the proven methods of the PSTN networks. Each gateway has a complete call record without need of mediation or aggregator systems. With NACT's integrated billing system this means that not only can you bill your customers directly and easily, but the call record information can also be used to bill termination services back to the originating carrier and to audit services billed by the terminating carrier. Billing among carriers is greatly simplified because you only have to deal with the carriers with which you have interconnection agreements.