---
title: What Is CDR Billing?
description: In communications, a Call Detail Record (CDR) file is a ‘flat’ file, most often in .csv format, that provides a detailed breakdown of transactions over a communication network.
image: https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hubfs/payment-5695697_1280.webp
---

[facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/SymbiosysBS) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/SBS_SATbill) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/satbill/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/sbssatbill/)

[satbill@symbiosys-bs.co.uk](mailto:satbill@symbiosys-bs.co.uk) [+44 (0) 1260 281700](tel:+44%20(0)%201260%20281700)

[![satbill-logo](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SymbiosysSatbill%20logos-1_Page_2.png?width=670&height=434&name=SymbiosysSatbill%20logos-1_Page_2.png "satbill-logo")](https://sbs-satbill.com)

- [Home](https://www.sbs-satbill.com)
- About SATbill
  
  
  
    - [Overview](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-software-overview)
    - [Billing Process](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-process)
    - [Positioning](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/positioning-pricing)
    - [SATbill Modules](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/optional-modules)
    - [Benefits](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-software-benefits)
    - [Features](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-software-features)
    - [Coverage](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satbill-scope)
- Professional Services
  
  
  
    - [Services Overview](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/professional-services)
    - [Customisations](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/customisable-billing-software)
    - [Implementation](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satbill-implementation)
    - [Support & Maintenance](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/support-maintenance)
    - [Bespoke Software Development](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/bespoke-software-development)
- Satcom Operators
  
  
  
    - [Inmarsat](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/inmarsat)
    - [Iridium](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/iridium-billing-platform)
    - [Thuraya](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/thuraya)
    - [Globalstar](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/globalstar-billing-platform)
    - [VSAT](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/vsat-systems)
- Resources
  
  
  
    - [Testimonials](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/testimonials)
    - [Blog](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog)
    - [Case Studies](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/case-studies-alphatron-marine)
    - [Ultimate Guide To Satellite Airtime Billing](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-airtime-billing-guide)
    - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/frequently-asked-questions)

# Blog

![ What Is CDR Billing? ](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hubfs/payment-5695697_1280.webp)

## What Is CDR Billing?

 August 2021

In communications, a Call Detail Record (CDR) file is a ‘flat’ file, most often in .csv format, that provides a detailed breakdown of transactions over a communication network. Typically, these include phone calls, SMS messages, and data transfer – in fact, any communication across a network, telephone exchange, or switch.  

[![SATbill-Airtime-Billing-Guide-Text-CTA](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SATbill-Airtime-Billing-Guide-Text-CTA.png?width=350&height=67&name=SATbill-Airtime-Billing-Guide-Text-CTA.png)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-airtime-billing-guide)  
CDRs are used to bill customers for their use of carriage network services at the end of a billing period (usually a month or quarter). The customer’s use of the network will be calculated using the CDR, and charges applied according to their tariff to generate the bill.

## **What Data Is Included In A CDR bill?**

A CDR contains metadata about how a certain phone number or user account has utilised the network. A CDR will typically include the following information:

- The date and time of calls.
- The duration of each call, in minutes.
- The source and destination numbers.
- The type of call (inbound/outbound/international etc).
- The cost of each call, based on a per minute rate.

A CDR will also include metadata relating to SMS messages and other communications; however, the content of the messages is not revealed, only that the communication took place.

## **Why CDRs Are Important**

A CDR is a useful record of every chargeable communication that passes through your telecommunications system. Not only does it allow the phone company to generate an accurate bill quickly, but a CDR billing platform enables businesses to benefit from instant access to their call usage, supporting them with:

- Call reporting and billing.
- Dispute resolution.
- Analysis of spending.
- Identification of disruptions in service.
- Identifying calling trends and employees’ patterns of usage.

Often, a service provider will utilise a mediation system, which combines different data records to produce a single, consolidated CDR file. This is especially useful for businesses who use multiple services, handsets, or channels, as their call data can be outlined clearly in one file, eliminating the time-consuming and confusing task of analysing several different CDRs.

## **How SATbill Can Benefit Your Business**

At Symbiosys, we offer an industry-leading satellite billing system, SATbill, which combines the CDRs from different providers with non-call based charges, including subscriptions. As many different CDR formats can be loaded and billed, SATbill offers unrivalled flexibility to meet every business’s needs.

SATbill is especially suited to call plans for land-based units or mobile installations, such as aircraft or vessels, as the tariff charges can be directly linked to individual equipment, such as SIMs or terminals, giving you complete control over your expenditure.

To find out more about SATbill, why not request [a free, no-obligation demonstration](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/request-an-online-demo) to see how it could benefit your business?

[![SATbill_ Airtime Billing Guide Long CTA](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/SATbill_-Airtime-Billing-Guide-Long-CTA-Feb-07-2023-02-34-44-8599-PM.png)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-airtime-billing-guide)*Image Source: [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/vectors/payment-pos-machine-purchase-5695697/)*

[facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/SymbiosysBS) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/SBS_SATbill) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/satbill/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/sbssatbill/)

### Posts By Topics

- [SATbill (27)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satbill)
- [News (21)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/news)
- [Satellite Communications (21)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-communications)
- [satellite billing solution (20)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-billing-solution)
- [Satellite Billing System (17)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-billing-system)
- [Satellite Airtime Billing (16)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-airtime-billing)
- [Inmarsat (11)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/inmarsat)
- [airtime billing solution (11)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/airtime-billing-solution)
- [VSAT (10)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/vsat)
- [Thuraya (7)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/thuraya)
- [Iridium (6)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/iridium)
- [SATbill Insight (5)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satbill-insight)
- [Globalstar (4)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/globalstar)
- [SATbill Developments (4)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satbill-developments)
- [Satcom Companies (4)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-communication-companies)
- [integrated billing solution (4)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/integrated-billing-solution)
- [Inmarsat GX (3)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/inmarsat-gx)
- [Marlink (3)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/marlink)
- [SATbill Value (3)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/blog-satbill-value)
- [Satellite Billing (3)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-billing)
- [CDR loading (2)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/cdr-loading)
- [Customer Portal (2)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/customer-portal)
- [High Usage Monitoring (2)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/high-usage-monitoring)
- [Iridium Provisioning (2)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/iridium-provisioning)
- [Radio Holland (2)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/radio-holland)
- [automated billing process (2)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/automated-billing-process)
- [Alphatron Marine (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/alphatron-marine)
- [BGAN (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/bgan)
- [Beam Communications (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/beam-communications)
- [CIR (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/cir)
- [Covid19 (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/covid19)
- [Events (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/events)
- [FBB (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/fbb)
- [Finance connector (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/finance-connector)
- [GTMaritime (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/gtmaritime)
- [Global RadioData Communications (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/global-radiodata-communications)
- [High performance billing (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/high-performance-billing)
- [IDG Europe (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/idg-europe)
- [IWS (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/iws)
- [Intelsat General (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/intelsat-general)
- [JSAT Mobile Communications (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/jsat-mobile-communications)
- [MIR (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/mir)
- [Mackay Communications (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/mackay-communications)
- [Rain Attenuation (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/rain-attenuation)
- [SAP integration (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/sap-integration)
- [SBB (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/sbb)
- [SBS HUM Module (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/sbs-hum-module)
- [Satellite equipment rental (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/satellite-equipment-rental)
- [SeaTec Communications (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/seatec-communications)
- [Sirm Italia (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/sirm-italia)
- [Sirm UK (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/sirm-uk)
- [Speedcast (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/speedcast)
- [Telemar (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/telemar)
- [VSAT Billing (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/vsat-billing)
- [billing cycle (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/billing-cycle)
- [billing documents (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/billing-documents)
- [eWay (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/eway)
- [integrated billing (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/integrated-billing)
- [margin controls (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/margin-controls)
- [traffic advice (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/traffic-advice)
- [value-added services (1)](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/tag/value-added-services)

see all

### Articles

[How Do Iridium Service Providers Bill Their Customers For Certus Services?](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/how-do-iridium-service-providers-bill-their-customers-for-certus-services)

[How To Integrate Your Back-Office, CRM & ERP Systems With Your Satellite Airtime Billing System To Improve Efficiency & Productivity](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/integrating-your-back-office-systems-with-your-satellite-airtime-billing-system)

[What Is ‘Revenue Recognition’ And How Does It Differ From Billing?](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/what-is-revenue-recognition)

[Iridium Provisioning With SATbill: Enhancing Iridium Customer Experience](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/enhancing-iridium-customer-experience)

### Subscribe To Our Blog

## Contact Us

To find out more about SATbill and how it could benefit your business, please contact us.

[satbill@symbiosys-bs.co.uk](mailto:satbill@symbiosys-bk.co.uk)

[+44 (0) 1260 281700](tel:+44%20(0)%201260%20281700)

Symbiosys Business Solutions Ltd  
Park View House  
Worrall Street  
Congleton  
Cheshire  
CW12 1DT  
UK

[![satbill-logo](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SymbiosysSatbill%20logos-1_Page_2.png?width=670&height=434&name=SymbiosysSatbill%20logos-1_Page_2.png "satbill-logo")](https://sbs-satbill.com)

[satbill@symbiosys-bs.co.uk](mailto:satbill@symbiosys-bk.co.uk)

[+44 (0) 1260 281700](tel:+44%20(0)%201260%20281700)

Symbiosys Business Solutions Ltd  
Park View House  
Worrall Street  
Congleton  
Cheshire  
CW12 1DT  
UK

[facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/SymbiosysBS) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/SBS_SATbill) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/satbill/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/sbssatbill/)

### Professional Services

- [Services Overview](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/professional-services)
- [Customisations](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/customisable-billing-software)
- [Implementation](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satbill-implementation)
- [Support & Maintenance](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/support-maintenance)
- [Bespoke Software Development](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/bespoke-software-development)

### Satcom Operators

- [Inmarsat](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/inmarsat)
- [Iridium](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/iridium-billing-platform)
- [Thuraya](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/thuraya)
- [Globalstar](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/globalstar-billing-platform)
- [VSAT](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/vsat-systems)

### Resources

- [Blog](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog)
- [Satellite Airtime Billing Guide](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-airtime-billing-guide)
- [Testimonials](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/testimonials)
- [FAQs](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/frequently-asked-questions)
- [Case Studies](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/case-studies-alphatron-marine)

### About SATbill

- [Positioning](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/positioning-pricing)
- [Optional Modules](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/optional-modules)
- [Benefits](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-software-benefits)
- [Coverage](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satbill-scope)
- [Billing Process](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-process)
- [Features](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-software-features)
- [About Us](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/satellite-billing-software-overview)

- VAT Number: GB 868 3702 90
- Company Number: 05559798
- [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/terms-conditions)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/privacy-policy)
- [Cookie Policy](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/cookie-policy)

Copyright 2023 Symbiosys Business Solutions Ltd. All right Reserved. Designed and Developed by [JDR Group](https://jdrgroup.co.uk/)

![bottom-footer-logo](https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bottom-footer-logo.png?width=207&height=97&name=bottom-footer-logo.png)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "mark",
    "url" : "https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/author/mark"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2024-06-24T10:29:26.079Z",
  "datePublished" : "2021-08-05T10:00:23.000Z",
  "headline" : "What Is CDR Billing?",
  "image" : [ "https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hubfs/payment-5695697_1280.webp" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.sbs-satbill.com/blog/what-is-cdr-billing",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.sbs-satbill.com/hubfs/SymbiosysSatbill%20logos-1_Page_2.png"
    },
    "name" : "Symbiosys Business Solutions"
  }
}
```