​Development of charging and accounting/settlement mechanisms for international telecommunications services, other than those studied in Question 1/3, including adaptation of existing D-series Recommendations to the evolving user needs

(Question 2/3 was discontinued as it was merged with Question 1/3 on 18 January 2021, following the ​endorsement by TSAG)​

Motivation
The topic of accounting rate reform has been studied in the past, with agreements reached regarding certain changes. However, there is a need to continue studies, taking into account the continuing technical, policy, and regulatory evolution of the telecommunication sector. High priority should be given to find additional tools and ways to implement existing recommendations and to improve the current accounting rate system. In particular, new remuneration systems should be studied.
Other items to be studied under this Question are the charging and accounting principles of the mobile telephone services (including termination charge) and the review of current recommendations on traditional services (excluding packet services).

Question
Development of charging and accounting/settlement mechanisms for international telecommunications services, other than those studied in Question A/3, including adaptation of existing D-series Recommendations to the evolving user needs.

Tasks
The study should cover all international telecommunication services not covered in Question A/3. In studying this Question, special explicit considerations should be given to the needs of developing countries, and in particular to the least developed countries.
In this context, the international and/or regional aspects of the following topics should be included:
1) mobile communications;
2) mobile termination rate;
3) fixed termination rate;
4) flat rate for fixed to mobile and vice versa;
5) accounting rates for fixed;
6) settlement rates for fixed;
7) alternative accounting procedures (e.g. changes in deadlines for settlements);;
8) tariff issues for cross-border connectivity for mobile;
9) tariff issues for short message service (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS);
10) leased line tariff;
11) transit traffic;
12) guidelines based on international and regional practices for resolution of disputes regarding charging (e.g. duration, origin of traffic, etc.);
13) accounting and settlement procedures, including their evolution.
Other topics may be studied as appropriate, based on contributions.

Relationsips

Study groups
– Relevant ITU-T study groups
– ITU-D SG1 and SG2