27 December, 2004: Oman Mobile, the mobile subsidiary of the network operator Omantel, has commissioned the Siemens Communications Group to deliver charge@once, a solution for charging mobile services, and integrate it into the operator's mobile network. The growing use of data services in the Sultanate of Oman makes the new charging system necessary. The order is worth around US$12mn. The Siemens solution now allows Oman Mobile, for the first time, to offer new services with flexible conditions to both prepaid and postpaid customers at the same time, and charge for them in real-time using one and the same system. The charging system charge@once also allows the mobile operator to check credit limits in real-time, freely adjust charges and product packages, and record charges for services from third-party providers. Prepaid customers receive a special benefit in that they can finally also use roaming services.

Online charging systems are currently used primarily for prepaid customers. Charge@once from Siemens, however, also processes transactions from postpaid customers in real-time. This means that regardless of their chosen payment method, subscribers can check their credit limits and receive notification of the costs directly before using services.

www.siemens.com