A method for application-specific chargeback of content cached at a wireless tower of a RAN includes receiving a request for content from an end user device in a base station of a RAN and routing the request to an application in a packet switched data communications network from the base station by way of a CN. Content from the application can be received in the base station within a response to the request, the response can be cached in a local cache of the base station in connection with the application and the response can be forwarded to the end user device. Subsequently, in response to a new request for the content received in the base station, the content can be served in a response from the local cache. Further, an identity of the application can be transmitted to a remote charging service external to the base station but within the RAN for charging the application in consequence of having served the content from the local cache of the base station.