Patent ID: 8730824
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A non-transitory machine-readable medium encoded with software instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a service provider operating a communication system, the service components consisting of communication services provided directly to consumers of the communication services, the consumers being subscribers to the communication system; generating a plurality of service bundles, wherein each service bundle of the plurality of service bundles comprises a respective different grouping of the plurality of service component definitions and wherein the plurality of service bundles comprises all possible permutations derivable from the plurality of service component definitions subject to network operating constraints of the communication system but not subject to subscriber criteria; determining a respective network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles; receiving identification data of a prospective subscriber, wherein the prospective subscriber initiates contact between the prospective subscriber and the service provider; identifying from the identification data a communication loop coupled to the communication system having an association with the prospective subscriber; determining a data rate of the communication loop; identifying a target service bundle from among the plurality of service bundles that requires an infrastructure modification in the communication system, not previously made by the service provider, based on the data rate of the communication loop; determining, in accordance with business objectives of the service provider, whether to offer the target service bundle to the prospective subscriber; initiating, responsive to determining that the target service bundle is to be offered to the prospective subscriber, a repair of the communication loop or an installation of another communication loop, in accordance with the infrastructure modification identified as required by the target service bundle; adjusting, responsive to determining that the target service bundle is to be offered to the prospective subscriber, a cost for the target service bundle to generate an adjusted cost, wherein the adjusting of the cost is based on a type of infrastructure modification required in the communication system, wherein the adjusted cost is higher than a normal subscription price, to recover an investment in the repair or the installation; presenting to the prospective subscriber a reduced set of service bundles selected from the plurality of service bundles, wherein the plurality of service bundles are reduced in number according to the data rate and according to demographic or psychographic information associated with the prospective subscriber or business objectives of the service provider, and wherein the reduced set of service bundles includes the target service bundle; and presenting to the prospective subscriber the adjusted cost for the target service bundle.