THE INTER-NETWORK CALL ACCOUNTING (INCA) PROJECT

A major challenge in a multi-operator environment is accurate billing and verification of inter-connect traffic between operators. In the UK , which has some 150 operators, BT has developed the inter-network cal l accounting (INCA) system to tackle this problem. This article review s the background behind the development of the system, provides an ove rview of the system requirements and its architecture, and shows what a major impact the system is having in the industry. The article goes on to describe the main system components.