Patent ID: 9161377
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for providing access to a service provider network associated with a service provider and comprising at least one network node, comprising: establishing, by the at least one network node, a first wireless communication link with a mobile hotspot device associated with a first subscriber of the service provider, the mobile hotspot device configured to establish a second wireless communication link with at least one client device; receiving, by the at least one network node, an access request message from the mobile hotspot device, the access request message comprising credentials provided by the at least one client device; determining, by the at least one network node, that the at least one client device is a second subscriber of the service provider based on the credentials; indicating to the mobile hotspot device that the at least one client device is authorized to access the service provider network through the mobile hotspot device; increasing a first subscriber data usage counter associated with the first subscriber based on data sent to the mobile hotspot device that is destined for the mobile hotspot device; and increasing a second subscriber data usage counter associated with the second subscriber based on data sent to the mobile hotspot device that is destined for the at least one client device.