Importance

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Abstract

A method is provided for managing usage of a plurality of local area networks by a plurality of subscribers associated with a service provider. The subscribers have terminals for accessing the local area networks. The terminals each have a client program for communicating with a service provider network. For each subscriber desiring to access a local area network, the method includes: (a) receiving at a gateway at the service provider network a request for authenticating a subscriber desiring access to the local area network, the request containing subscriber credentials for the subscriber desiring access to the local area network; (b) authenticating the subscriber based on the subscriber credentials and information relating to the subscriber previously stored in a subscriber database; (c) authorizing the local area network to grant access to the subscriber when the subscriber is authenticated; (d) establishing a link between the gateway and a client program on a terminal operated by the subscriber; (e) collecting session information through the link; (f) receiving information on local area network usage by the subscriber; and (g) transmitting the information on local area network usage to a billing system for billing of usage by the subscriber.

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First Claim