The Usage Policy Statistics submodule allows an MSO to create AUPs and assign them to specific cable modem packages. This sets a threshold limit for the amount of upload/ download usage a cable modem package can consume. For example, an MSO may want to limit a 10MB down/1MB up package to 100GB of total traffic. Once users exceed 50% of the threshold, subscriber accounts appear in the Usage Exception Report in BBX. If MSO elects to activate the Notification, Enforcement, and/or Billing submodules, the MSO can send notifications when various threshold limits are met, take action when thresholds are met and calculate overage charges using exported BMS data. MSOs may also view the Usage Policy Report, which displays a list of all AUPs created, the details of the AUP, and the number of subscribers bound to it.
USAGE POLICY NOTIFICATIONS
The Usage Policy Notifications submodule allows an MSO to create various notifications and communicate with the end-user subscriber when certain threshold limits are met. Notification communication occurs via email or “captive portal”. There are several types of notifications that may be configured by the MSO; a) Policy Acknowledgements, b) Advanced Notifications,
and c) Final Notifications
USAGE POLICY ENFORCEMENT
The Usage Policy Enforcement submodule allows an MSO to assign enforcement policies to cable modem packages and take action when a particular AUP threshold limit is met. For example, when a subscriber’s 10MB down / 1 MB modem consumes enough bandwidth to surpass the AUP threshold of 100GB, the MSO invokes usage action to disable the modem, throttle the modem, or take no action and establish fair use policies.
USAGE POLICY BILLING
The Usage Policy Billing submodule allows an MSO to view the Usage Billing Report, which displays the MSO’s Customer Name, Address, Billing #, AUP Name, Threshold, actual Usage, and Overage. The MSO may export the report to CSV and import into a spreadsheet application to calculation overage charges to bill the subscriber.