Policy Control Function
5G policy control function providing unified policy framework for network slicing, QoS, and charging control.
Beyond One-Size-Fits-All QoS
4G PCRF was built for flat-rate data plans. 5G needs dynamic policy that adapts per slice, per service, per subscriber — in real time.
Static QoS profiles
PCRF applies the same QoS template to all subscribers on a plan. 5G requires per-slice, per-application policy differentiation.
Diameter-bound
PCRF communicates via Gx/Gy Diameter. 5G NFs use HTTP/2. Without PCF, policy enforcement cannot reach 5G services.
No slice awareness
PCRF has no concept of network slices. A factory URLLC slice and a consumer eMBB slice get identical policy treatment.
Real-Time Policy for the 5G Era
PCF makes policy dynamic — every subscriber, every slice, every application gets exactly the rules it needs
Per-Slice Policy
Different QoS, charging, and access rules for each network slice. A single subscriber gets enterprise-grade policy on their URLLC slice and consumer policy on eMBB.
Service-Based Interface
Npcf HTTP/2 REST API. Any authorized NF can request policy decisions in real time — no Diameter, no fixed interfaces.
Unified 4G + 5G
One platform serves both PCRF (Gx/Gy) and PCF (Npcf). Consistent policy across 4G and 5G — single rule set, zero duplication.
Application-Aware
Detect YouTube vs Zoom vs IoT telemetry. Apply different QoS and charging per application — not just per bearer.
What Operators Gain
Dynamic policy turns the network from a dumb pipe into an intelligent revenue platform
New Monetization
Sell premium QoS to enterprises. Offer turbo boost add-ons to consumers. Charge OTT providers for guaranteed delivery.
Network Efficiency
Apply bandwidth caps only when cells are congested. Prioritize emergency services during disasters. Policy adapts in real time.
Faster Time to Market
New policy rules deploy in minutes via API, not weeks via network engineering. Marketing can launch QoS offers without touching the core.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PCF different from PCRF?
PCRF is the 4G policy engine using Diameter Gx/Gy. PCF is the 5G evolution providing policy control over HTTP/2 REST APIs (Npcf), supporting per-slice policy rules, and integrating natively with 5G SBA. ZBensoft PCF supports both protocols on a single platform for smooth migration.
What kind of policies can PCF enforce?
PCF enforces QoS policies (bandwidth, latency, priority), charging policies (online/offline, sponsored data, zero-rating), access policies (allowed services, time-of-day), and slice-specific policies. Rules can be subscriber, application, location, or time-based — all updated in real time.
Does PCF work with existing PCRF rules?
Yes. ZBensoft PCF imports existing PCRF policy rules and applies them to 4G traffic while new 5G rules are added incrementally. This preserves revenue models during transition and eliminates policy misconfiguration risk during migration.
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