Importance

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Abstract

A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users includes: (a) prior to first and second time intervals, respectively determining for each user first and second network access allowances; (b) during the first time interval, providing network access to each user such that the respective first network access allowance is not exceeded; and (c) during the second time interval, providing network access to each user such that the respective second network access allowance for each user is not exceeded. The network access allowance represents a respective maximum level of network access that may be made available to the user during a particular time interval, but does not necessarily represent the level of network access that will be utilized by the user during such time interval. At least one respective second network access allowance for a user differs from such user's respective first network access allowance.

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First Claim