Importance

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Abstract

Methods and systems for optimizing bandwidth pricing for a data transmission system electronically connected to a source of bandwidth spot prices, where the data transmission system transmits data as packets to a predetermined destination, are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: determining whether data can be transmitted at a later time to the predetermined destination; providing acceptable price and a maximum acceptable time delay for transmitting the data that can be transmitted at a later time; providing the acceptable price and the maximum acceptable time delay in each packet formed from dividing the data; determining whether a data packet should be stored in a storage device by looking for presence of the acceptable price in the data packet; if the acceptable price is not found in the data packet, sending the data packet to the predetermined destination, and if the acceptable price is found in the data packet, storing the data packet in the storage device; comparing the acceptable price in the data packet with a spot bandwidth price from the source; and transmitting the data packet to the predetermined destination if the spot bandwidth price is at or below the acceptable price or if the maximum acceptable time delay of the packet has been reached.

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First Claim