Charging schemes for reservation-based networks

The definition of an adequate charging scheme for reservation-based multi-s ervice networks and internetworks is one of the key factors destined to inf luence the wide use and deployment of these networks in the next decades. T his paper presents some of the authors' ideas on this subject and is intend ed to be a framework on which future works in this area can be based. It co mprises an approach to the design of a charging scheme and a first proposal for a charging formula. The approach is based on the fundamental belief th at, in the context of reservation-based networks, there should be a direct relationship between user fees and network resources utilisation. The schem e can be applied both to multi-service networks like ATM ones and to such i nternetworks as the Integrated Services Internet.