SG186527A1 - System and method for provisioning internet access to a computing device - Google Patents

Abstract

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISIONING INTERNET ACCESS TO A COMPUTING DEVICE5 There is provided a system and method for provisioning Internet access to acomputing device. The system comprises a Internet access adjustment facilitator adapted to receive a request for internet access control from the computing device; process the request for internet access control and adjust the internet access based on a database maintained by the10 telecommunications carrier; wherein the database comprises a whitelist of free accessible services, URLs or application programming interface available to the mobile device, such that the free accessible services are toll free for access but will be charged for at least one subsequent action to retrieve, input or manipulate data.15SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISIONING INTERNET ACCESS TO A COMPUTING DEVICE5 There is provided a system and method for provisioning Internet access to acomputing device. The system comprises a Internet access adjustment facilitator adapted to receive a request for internet access control from the computing device; process the request for internet access control and adjust the internet access based on a database maintained by the10 telecommunications carrier; wherein the database comprises a whitelist of free accessible services, URLs or application programming interface available to the mobile device, such that the free accessible services are toll free for access but will be charged for at least one subsequent action to retrieve, input or manipulate data.15Fig. 1

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISIONING INTERNET ACCESS TO A

COMPUTING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for provisioning Internet access to a computing device. The system and method are particularly suited, but not limited to providing internet access to a computer device including mobile device and personal computers enabled with USB dongles and will be described in this context. ‘10 BACKGROUND ART

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the invention.

Mobile phones have recently surpassed the conventional desktop or laptop

PCs as a popular means for people to connect to the internet. This in part has been fuelled by social networks and mobile software applications. The main advantage of mobile phones is in their ability to be connected to the Internet wherever the user is. Mobile phone users may receive and/or respond to

Instant messaging messages, “Facebook™” tags, “Tweets™™, surf the

Internet via a mobile web browser instantly wherever the users are, as long as data connection (GSM, GPRS, 3G, Wi-Fi etc) can be established.

The above advantages complements markets where majority of telecommunication carrier subscribers prefer mobile data post-paid plans.

Subscribers of these post-paid plans generally do not mind paying more per month to have unlimited Internet data access or a data usage capped at a relatively larger size, for example 12 Gigabytes (GB).

Another recent phenomenon is the use of “broadband dongles” — USB powered devices that allow computing devices such as Personal

Computers/laptops to connect to the Internet using the mobile network operator (MNO) networks (3G/4G etc).

However, providing "always on" Internet or data connection for smartphones and dongle-powered PCs has remained a challenge for telecommunications carriers in markets dominated by users who prefer "prepaid plans" (or “pay- as-you-go” plans). Users under these prepaid plans are less willing to pay a relatively larger subscription fee for full unlimited internet access. A typical prepaid plan is based on a pay-per-specified-time model, such as for example 10 pesos for 30 minutes of fast Internet connection (i.e. at maximum bandwidth as provided by the mobile network carrier). Another variation to the pay-per-specified time model may be a daily “always on” access to only social networking sites such as Facebook™ or Twitter™ for 20 pesos per day.

The above mentioned prepaid/pay-per-specified plans do not offer enough flexibility to subscribers. For example, many users may be interested in visiting certain websites or URLs but not others. Further, certain telecommunications carriers may be able to provide certain services such as

URLs or APIs free of charge to their subscribers without the need to pay for

Internet access, or for certain mobile applications or ‘apps’, without the need to pay for downloading such mobile applications. Subscribers to such telecommunications carrier may be only interested in such mobile applications without the need for general Internet access, but at present there is no system or mechanism to allow flexibility to toggle between a paid and free Internet access service.

As prepaid plan subscribers are sensitive to cost, another challenge for telecommunications carriers is to deliver Internet connection at relatively lower “sachet” price points, such as below 20 pesos daily — while still providing prepaid plan users an “always on” experience. While this may be possible for certain phones which are efficient in terms of consuming data bandwidth (such as feature phones or a Blackberry™ for example), it is typically difficult to implement such “sachet” price points for more recent smartphones models which require relatively higher data bandwidth because to do so may be unprofitable for mobile network operators (MNOs). MNOs typically have relatively limited Internet bandwidth as compared to full Internet service providers. From the perspective of the MNOs, the relevant question for implementing “sachet” price points for smartphone models would be “What kind of Internet service can be offered profitably at 5 peso (or approximately

US 10 cents per day) to capture the markets of these smartphone users?”

Further, although it is possible for prepaid plan users to control data bandwidth and monitor their bandwidth usage, known control mechanisms in place are “all or nothing” approaches, i.e. data access may only be switched from either “all’- maximum data bandwidth, or “nothing’- no data bandwidth.

A user does not have the flexibility in controlling different levels of data bandwidth as and when he/she desires, depending on his/her usage.

There is thus a need to capture the market of these smartphone users by providing them with certain flexibility in controlling and adjusting their data bandwidth usage so as to implement such “sachet” price points.

Along the same line of cost consideration for prepaid plan subscribers, a fixed cost per unit time (e.g. 10 pesos per 30 minutes) plan may be deemed relatively more expensive for a user with Internet access which is outside an area with high network coverage (e.g. metro areas) as compared to a user within the metro area. A prepaid plan subscriber outside the metro area requires more time to download a file or carry out certain actions (such as streaming video etc) as compared to a subscriber within the metro area. This is due to the relative lack of network coverage in non-metro areas. Hence a user may be unduly penalized with a fixed cost per unit time plan.

In light of the above, there also exists a need for different charging plans and billing mechanisms that caters to pre-paid subscribers.

The present invention seeks to provide a system and method that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks at least in part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be appreciated that “free access” in the context of access to URLs,

APIs or other websites/IP addresses refer to toll free ‘always on’ data access, i.e. access to these URLs, APls, websites/IP addresses would be free. Such always on data access is to be distinguished from any actions to retrieve, input or manipulate data, including downloading of videos/audio files for example. Actions to retrieve, input or manipulate data may be chargeable, although the access to the data itself may be toll free.

In addition, “free access” in the context of access to mobile applications (“apps”) refers to downloading such apps but usage of such “apps” to download/view/stream or perform other functions may be chargeable.

It is further to be appreciated that ‘Internet access’ in the context of the description generally refers to mobile data Internet service such as GPRS,

Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), 3G, LTE, 4G network, Wi-Fi tethering etc unless otherwise stated.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for provisioning Internet access to a computing device comprising a

Internet access adjustment facilitator adapted to receive a request for internet : access control from the computing device; process the request for internet access control and adjust the internet access based on a database maintained by the telecommunications carrier; wherein the database comprises a whitelist of free accessible services, URLs or application programming interface available to the mobile device, such that the free accessible services are toll free for access but will be charged for at least one subsequent action to retrieve, input or manipulate data.

Preferably the system includes an independent billing module adapted to bill a subscriber based on per action charge for the at least one subsequent action.

Alternatively a flat fee for a defined number of subsequent actions, or a combination of both is adopted.

The provision of the Internet control feature allows a user or subscriber of the service to opt between a paid internet service (unlimited or otherwise) and a limited free internet service based on the whitelist maintained by the telecommunications carrier. The independent billing module provides for flexibility for a subscriber to select the desired way which he/she wishes to be billed for Internet usage/connection.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for provisioning Internet access to a mobile device comprising the steps of: detecting the type of mobile device; setting an applicable mode depending on the type of mobile device; receiving at an Internet access adjustment facilitator a request to control internet access from the mobile device; processing the request for internet access control and adjusting the internet access based on a database maintained by the telecommunications carrier; wherein the database comprises a whitelist of free accessible services, URLs or application programming interface available to the mobile device, such that the free accessible services are toll free for access but will be charged for at least one subsequent action to retrieve, input or manipulate data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for provisioning Internet access from a telecommunications network to at least one mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Other arrangements of the invention are possible and, consequently, the accompanying drawings are not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is a system for provisioning Internet access from a telecommunications carrier 12 to at least one computing device 14. The system 10 comprises an Internet access adjustment facilitator 16, a subscriber database 18 and a whitelist 24 in data communication with the Internet access adjustment facilitator 16. The system 10 10 further comprises a billing/charging module 60.

The computing device 14 may preferably be a mobile phone. More preferably, the computing device 14 is a smartphone capable of the installation of mobile software application or ‘app’. The mobile device 14 is connectable to the Internet via various mobile data services such as GPRS,

Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), 3G, Wi-Fi, LTE, 4G network etc.

Alternatively, the computing device 14 may be a personal computer/laptop comprising a USB wireless adapter, such as a dongle, for plugging into a personal computer (desktop or laptop) to access the system 10 and the

Internet adjustment facilitator 16. Such an arrangement allows the personal computer/laptop to access the telecommunications network's GPRS,

Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), 3G, Wi-Fi, LTE, 4G network etc.

The Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 is adapted to process requests 22 from the user of mobile device 14 to the telecommunications network 12 for the control of Internet access. In this sense, the Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 is within a proxy server for connecting to the Internet.

The requests 22 are typically in the form of an electronic signal/message wherein a software application is installed on the mobile device 14 or PC for such a purpose. Other means of communicating with the adjustment facilitator

16 may be in the form of a simple text or Short Messaging Service (SMS),

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) messages or other similar messaging service. The Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 also comprises a bandwidth throttler (not shown) to process requests 22 from the user of mobile device 14 to the telecommunications network 12 for the adjustment of data bandwidth between a ‘trickle’ mode — i.e. 9.6kbps to 14.4 kbps and a ‘boost’ mode — 2Mbps onwards if on 3G for example, on demand.

The subscriber database 18 maintains details of the subscribers of telecommunications network 12, such as the Mobile Subscriber Integrated

Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN) of each subscriber mobile phone; and whether the subscriber is on any prepaid plans as well as the expiry of the prepaid plan (if applicable). The subscriber database 18 may optionally be in data communication with an accounting database 20 for the settlement and checking of available funds for the subscriber for mobile device 14. The accounting database 20 further maintains a history of transaction of each subscriber.

The Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 further maintains a list of different charging rates/plans. A subscriber of computing device 14 has the option of switching between a charging rate based on a typical pre-paid plan (i.e. 10 pesos per 30 minutes) or other charging rates/plans which is dependent on specific ‘actions’ undertaken by the subscriber. Such a plan is known as a ‘charge per action’ plan/mode. Specific actions under such a ‘charge per action’ plan may include, for example:- i. Updating one's status on Facebook™ or other social networking sites including Twitter etc; ii. Viewing an up-to-10-minute video or ‘flick’ on Youtube™ ; In this regard, billing or charging occurs once for a full download and viewing, i.e. the bill/charge is the same regardless of how long the video takes to download or begins to stream. This is to be contrasted from present charging methods, where the end user is charged based on time taken for download.

iii. Uploading images/videos in social networking sites (Similar to the

Youtube™ viewing example, the bill/charge to the user is the same regardless of how long it takes for a photo to upload or how big a file the upload entails.) and/or iv. Any other actions which the user, the application developer, or the telecommunications network service provider may define. This may include toll free downloads of mobile applications (“apps”) but usage of these apps to perform subsequent functions (including i to iii above) may be chargeable on an per action basis.

In the case where the mobile Internet service is a GPRS service for example, the Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 is typically located between the

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and the Service Aware Support Node (SASN) of the GPRS core network.

The whitelist 24 maintains a list of services, which comprises (but is not limited to) URLs, and APIs as approved by telecommunications carrier 14.

Once approved, these URLs, APIs are considered “toll free”, i.e. free to be accessed by a user as far as charging based on the data network of the telecommunications network 12 is concerned. However, the separate value- added billing module 60 based on the ‘per action charging’ is used when a subscriber/user access the URLs, APIs to achieve certain purposes as indicted by the actions (i) to (iv) listed above.

The separate billing/charging module (not shown) is arranged in data communication with the Internet access adjustment facilitator 16. Upon detection that per action charging is to be adopted, the Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 switches from the existing billing infrastructure of the

MNO to the value added billing module 60. This may be achieved by either switching off the existing billing infrastructure or defining the Internet connection as a zero tariff (equivalent to no charge on existing billing infrastructure). The value added billing module 60 then takes over the billing based on per action.

The existing billing infrastructure charges based on either a unit cost per

KB/MB charge or a flat unit cost per X minute charge (e.g. 10 pesos per 30 minutes).

The mobile device 14 is preferably installed with a dedicated mobile software application depending on the particular model of the mobile device 14. For a typical smartphone such as an iPhone™ or Android™, this may be an “app” as colloquially known. For ease of reference, the dedicated mobile software application will be interchangeably known as “Flexible Billing App”.

The Flexible Billing App provides a user interface which facilitates the toggling/ switching between various modes which permits flexibility for a user to adjust either the amount of bandwidth available to them and/or the charging plans/type applicable.

The various modes are described as follows:- ‘Full access’ mode — i.e. full access to the Internet (provided by

MNOf/telecommunications carrier) at maximum speeds available. For example, 3G/4G networks at 10 peso for 30 minutes or a discounted rate for slower speeds such as EDGE or GPRS. ‘Limited access’ mode - restricted to certain mobile Internet data services; including certain websites, URLs, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and IP addresses as maintained by the whitelist 24. Access to these mobile services as listed in whitelist 24 will not incur any mobile data charges to the subscriber. Sites, URLs, APIs, and/or services outside of this whitelist 24 are however not accessible to the user in this mode. It is to be noted that any further actions besides accessing these mobile data services (such as downloading, streaming etc) may be billed on a per action basis in accordance to the ‘charge per action’ plan as described above; and ‘Boost’ mode — provides the user interface for the user of mobile device 14 to toggle control of his data speed between the ‘trickle’ mode — i.e. 9.6kbps to 14.4 kbps and the ‘boost’ mode - 2Mbps onwards if on 3G for example, on demand. For the subscriber having a pre-paid contract or plan, the default mode for the data speed is the ‘trickle’ mode.

For the “full access” mode, the operational speeds may be detected via a speed monitoring application installed on the computing device 14. This is preferably integrated with the Flexible Billing App. By using test data packets (similar to concept of a “PING”), the operational speed of the computing device 14 may be estimated and charged based on the 3G/4G high speed or a discounted rate for lower speed.

For the “limited access” mode, in addition to the ‘charge per action’ billing method, a “flat fee for a defined set of apps” method, or some combination of both may be adopted.

The invention will now be described in the context of its intended use.

Prior to use, the mobile device 14 is checked if it is registered as a subscriber of the system 10 via checks on the MSISDN of the computing device 14 or other methods as well known to a skilled person. For the case where computer device 14 is a personal computer or laptop that connects to the

Internet via a dongle, the dongle typically comprise a subscriber identity module (SIM) card within the same, the SIM card having a MSISDN.

If the user of a mobile device 14 is not yet a subscriber, the user of mobile device 14 may optionally be prompted a message through the Flexible Billing

App to register or choose from any set of services.

The telecommunications network operator or mobile network operator (MNO) 12 may have dedicated APNs for the purpose of carrying out the present invention and requires the user of the mobile device 14 to change the Access

Point Name (APN) of the mobile device. The user may for example get a text message or a notification on his app asking him to make this change.

An example of the message is as follows:- “To use the Flexible Billing App, please change the APN of your smartphone fo infernet.abc.com’.

Alternatively, the subscriber does not have to be prompted to change the

APN explicitly. The MNO may employ an intelligent APN provisioning system that enables automatic connection (in the background) to the Internet.

The installed Flexible Billing App may be manually activated by the user of mobile device 14 wherein the installed application opens a user interface providing the option to adjust internet access/billing type as desired, or may include detecting the data usage profile of the subscriber for mobile device 14.

The data usage profile details any existing data plan/package which the subscriber is currently on. The Flexible billing App further provides an access to the white list for easy browsing on the ‘toll free’ services available.

In the case where the computing device 14 is a personal computer/laptop having a dongle, the user interface may be an Internet browser that is able to be connected to the white list for accessing the ‘toll free’ services. In the case where the Internet browser is for example “Google chrome”, accessed to

Google chrome based applications are typically whitelisted for “toll free” connection. Alternatively, another user interface can be a program downloaded and installed on a personal computer/laptop. : Once the user interface is displayed, the user subscriber has the option to choose between the three modes (‘full access’; ‘limited access’ and/or ‘boost mode’) as described earlier. The full access mode is mutually exclusive with the limited access mode and the boost mode. The limited access mode may be used in conjunction with the boost mode.

As an alternative to manual switching by a user subscriber, an automatic method for switching from one mode to another may be provided. The automatic method is a priority-based algorithm that typically ranks higher quality, or more open plan or faster plan higher in priority unless otherwise switched manually by the user. For example, if the user is subscribed to a data plan that translates to a full Access mode as described, any limited access mode purchased is overrided.

The priority-based algorithm of the automatic method means that once the

Full Access mode subscription has expired (say the full 30 minutes in a 10 peso for 30 minutes plan), the user will be automatically switched to “Limited

Access” mode (of “Boost/Trickle” mode, for that matter) if available.

In the case where the computing device is a personal computer/laptop, these modes may be presented as a form of notification anywhere within a relatively larger desktop/laptop screen area. Clicking on such notification will take the subscriber to a Settings Area. The Settings indicate, among others, the mode that the user is currently on and the remaining balance information. The remaining balance would be either shown in terms of currently (e.g. Pesos) or time elapsed and time remaining. In the Settings section, the subscriber may also choose to switch manually from one mode of connection to another.

The “Flexible Billing App” may be a feature which may be integrated as an integral module of any other Apps which performs one or more other tasks such as uploading Facebook™ photos etc. In the case of it being a separate

App, it may take the form of a software ‘widget’ which includes an graphical representation of an on/off switch, such that when in the ‘on’ position, it indicates which mode of connection is active, balance information, and a graphical lever that allows the subscriber to switch manually to a specific modes. Upon selecting a particular mode, the Flexible Billing App sends a request 22 to the Internet access adjustment facilitator 16 to adjust the same.

Alternatively, the request 22 may be sent as an SMS (access code required),

USSD command, or via the world wide web (www).

It is to be appreciated that ‘charge per action’ may further include the following 'Per click within app’ or 'per click within web browser" and "per click within program’ 'Per app running always on, for specified period’ and/or ‘per set of apps running always on, for specified period’.

Further details on the user switchable modes and their functionality, as well as its operation under various mobile devices 14, including smartphones and legacy non-smartphones are described as follows:-

‘Full Access’ Mode:- a. Activated via the Flexible Billing App, shown as a graphical lever or switch b. Allows full access to the worldwide web (www) via Internet data service c. Billed based on traditional billing infrastructure in terms of cost per X amount of time or size (kB/MB). If the Subscriber has no available subscriptions or data packages, the Subscriber will be automatically charged the prevailing rate (e.g. 10 pesos for 30 minutes) or any charge rate as set by telecommunications carrier/MNO 12. d. While the default rate of 10 peso for 30 minutes is applicable for a 3G/4G network, should the subscriber connect at a lower speed (based on

EDGE/GPRS for example), a significant discount off the 10 peso for 30 minutes may be offered to the subscriber. In the regard, the Flexible

Billing App will determine if the subscriber is connected at 3G/4G or at a relatively lower speed. e. Forinstances where the computing device 14 is connected to the Internet at 3G/4G but the actual Internet speed falls below its rated or advertised speed due to network congestion for example, upon detection by the

Flexible Billing App a significant discount may be made to the typical 10 peso for 30 minutes. The advice of charge will be calculated by the accounting database 20 and displayed to the Subscriber through one of the following ways: i. On a Smartphone Device 14: a notification will be displayed for the Subscriber ii. On a PC with a dongle, a prompt or notification will be displayed anywhere in the relatively large desktop environment iii. On a feature phone: an SMS will be sent to the subscriber the first time they use the service. ‘Limited Access’ mode a. Displays approved whitelist of services on User Interface. In addition, displays icons of independent ‘Apps’ that are actively connected to the

Internet. These are apps that have been created by third parties that now exist in the itunes store or android market, and has been whitelisted for ‘toll free’ connection to the Internet. b. Allows access to the Internet by select Apps or to certain URLs and IP addresses by browsers c. Blocks all other data from the Subscriber's phone 14 from passing through the Network d. If the Subscriber has no availed subscriptions / data packages, the

Subscriber will not be charged. e. If using the mobile phone’s browser instead of the Flexible billing app: i. The user will be redirected to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)

URL to show that Internet is on ‘Limited Access’ — Off mode ii. The user will be instructed to turn on the Internet for specific Apps only or for set of URLs or IP addresses f. In this mode, any of the following charging methods shall apply i. Charge per action on a specific App or a browser ii. Flat charge for a continuous Internet connection for specific Apps or set of URLs or IP addresses

If the user chooses to exercise the option of ‘charge per action mode’, while on Limited Access, a simplified flat nominal charge per action tariff may be charged. Such action includes updating one's Facebook's status, downloading and streaming a YouTube video, etc. If the user chooses the

FLAT CHARGE for continuous XXX mode while on Limited Access, that charge will be applied, turning on Internet connection only for the specified apps, URLs IP addresses, and overriding Full Access mode if the user has been on this mode. “Boost” mode a. Upon selecting the option ‘Boost’ on the user interface, the request to change the data speed from ‘trickle’ to ‘3G/4G’ is sent to the bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16. The bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16 proceeds to verify if the MSISDN of the mobile device 14 is in the subscriber database 18.

Further steps such as password authentication, SMS verification may also be performed as known to a person skilled in the art to authenticate the subscriber. b. Once the request is successfully verified, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16 checks the accounting database 20 to make sure that the subscriber has enough funds to pay for the ‘boost’. c. Upon determining that there are enough funds in the subscriber pre-paid account or pre-paid card, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16 proceeds to adjust the bandwidth settings for the subscriber of mobile device 14. This is done via a bandwidth throttler 22, which either caps the data speed of connection between the mobile device 14 to the internet or allows any excess available data bandwidth to the mobile device 14, by the bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16. d. The bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16 may include a detecting algorithm for detecting the usage profile of the subscriber for mobile device 14. Upon inferring from the detecting algorithm that the subscriber is likely to be downloading an image, watching a video, or accessing any large file including websites which are for example, image/graphic intensive; thus requiring more data bandwidth, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator 16 activates the dedicated software application to notify the user of mobile device 14. The corresponding ‘rules’ for prompting an alert to the user of mobile device 14 based on the results of the detecting algorithm may be one or more of the following:-

It is to be appreciated that while the ‘full access’ and “Limited access” modes are mutually exclusive, the “Limited access” mode can operate simultaneously while on the “Boost” mode. The “Limited access” mode acts to allow fast

Internet access for the selected whitelisted services while slower for all others not on the White List. If Facebook™ is on the whitelist, this means that the subscriber could enjoy a full, fast Facebook™ experience; this will not be the case for non whitelisted Apps. These non-whitelisted apps will operate at trickle speeds. Nonetheless for “notifications” or when a new email is received or an IM message is sent, the Boost mode, running on trickling mode for non whitelisted Apps, may be adequate.

Claims (1)

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

1. A system for charging or billing Internet data bandwidth consumed by a computing device comprising an Internet bandwidth provider of the computing device, the Internet bandwidth provider comprising a first billing module arranged to bill a subscriber of the computing device based on pay-per-specified-time consumption of Internet data bandwidth; a second billing module in data communication with the Internet bandwidth provider; the second billing module arranged to bill a subscriber of the computing device based on pay per action consumption of Internet data bandwidth; wherein upon receiving a request from the computing device to switch from pay-per-specified-time or pay per action and vice-versa, the Internet bandwidth provider toggles between the first billing module and second billing - module for the billing of the subscriber. ee me en em WII, wIURHI *Goooor !