TAP - Transferred Account Procedure
RAP - Returned Account Procedure

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Operators need to manage not only the terms of each agreement, but also keep up with standards that offer a process for the exchange of call information. CSG’s Roaming Module can process call information based on the latest TAP (Transferred Account Procedure) standard, which specifies the exchange of information required for billing and accounting purposes between operators. In addition, the Roaming Module supports the RAP (Returned Accounts Procedure) standard, which enables operators to manage erroneous call event records that are rejected, resulting in lost revenues for the operators.

http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=77519

TAP - the Transferred Account Procedure - is key to operators' ability to bill for services used by their roaming subscribers, and the INFOBRAIN TAP3 converter incorporates all the latest features, essential for handling internet, mobile media and prepaid roaming transactions.

The essence of TAP3 is that it delivers information on where a call is initiated and where it is terminated – information key to profiling customer behaviour patterns. This supports a high level of accuracy in targeting individual customer segments, allowing operators to build up detailed demographics of the customer base and to target special occasions like sporting events and concerts.

http://www.atosorigin.com/en-us/Newsroom/en-us/Press_Release...



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Note added at 4 hrs (2006-05-22 13:32:42 GMT)
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What is TAP and how does it work?

The Transferred Account Procedure is the mechanism by which operators exchange roaming billing information. This is how roaming partners are able to bill each other for the use of networks and services through a standard process.

Much of the traffic carried by a GSM Public Mobile Network (PMN) either originates, or terminates in another network. The operator of the local fixed network charges the wireless operator for each call that terminates at one of its fixed subscribers. And likewise, the GSM operator will charge the fixed operator for each call made to a mobile number from a fixed line.

Therefore GSM network operators and their local fixed counterparts usually negotiate an interconnect agreement to make charging as simple as possible. The other fixed international operators have normally already negotiated similar agreements amongst themselves.

Therefore, in order to place a call from a German PMN to a Canadian fixed phone, it is not necessary for the German PMN operator to negotiate a price with a Canadian fixed network operator.

The German PMN operator negotiates a price with the German fixed network operator. The German fixed network operator then negotiates a price with the Canadian fixed network operator. So, the German fixed network operator passes this call cost back to the German PMN. This means that the German PMN has to recoup the cost of the call from its subscribers either directly (retail billing), or via the appropriate Service Provider (wholesale billing).

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The Returned Accounts Procedure (RAP) was introduced on 1st April 2001 and is supported by TAP3.

In some cases individual erroneous call event details are rejected, resulting in loss of revenue to operators. The rejects and returns procedure deals with this by introducing a new automated, standardised method for handling erroneous TAP files.

The Home Network will validate incoming TAP transfers and reject call event details that do not conform to the TAP standard or to the terms of the agreement. RAP rejects only bad calls, not whole TAP files, so all errors and incorrect call event details calls are corrected and resubmitted to the Visited Network. These resubmitted RAP files and automatically deducted from financial records and settlement. This process allows the Visited Network to recoup roaming revenue from the Home Network for corrected, resubmitted TAP files and call event details. Therefore, good calls can be billed immediately and do not grow old, waiting for bad calls to be corrected and returned.

The Rejects and Returns process enables operators to:

* Maximise the collection of revenue for both Home Networks and Visited Networks
* Allow the Home Networks to bill their subscribers in a timely manner
* Deliver fewer call event details in the reclaims process, making for a simpler invoicing process, which may facilitate future net settlement requirements
* Support non-standard validation checks which may have been agreed bilaterally between roaming partners
* Cut down on the administration costs previously involved in error handling

http://www.gsmworld.com/using/billing/potential.shtml