A computer implemented method for assessing network bandwidth availability in a network connection having unknown excess capacity beyond a first network capacity, the method comprising: maintaining a data structure storing an estimated maximum network capacity value for the network connection; generating a probe data payload paired with one or more non-probe data payloads, the probe data payload including additional data based on the one or more non-probe data payloads; transmitting the probe data payload and the one or more non-probe data payloads through the network connection, the probe data payload and the one or more non-probe data payloads exceeding the estimated maximum network capacity value for the network connection by a controlled amount; monitoring one or more network response characteristics of the network connection to determine whether at least one of increased latency or increased packet loss occurs responsive to the transmission during a corresponding time of day or at a corresponding location of a transmitter, endpoint, or router using the network connection; responsive to the one or more network response characteristics indicating that neither increased latency or increased packet loss occurs, periodically or continuously updating the data structure to increase the estimated maximum network capacity value for the network connection for a duration corresponding to the corresponding time of day or for an area corresponding to the corresponding location of the transmitter, endpoint, or router using the network connection, the estimated maximum network capacity value representative of the assessed network bandwidth availability; and responsive to an overcapacity data request for additional availability of network capacity for usage of existing networking connections beyond nominally allocated capacities during the duration corresponding to corresponding time of day or from a device located within the area, allocating additional network capacity based on the estimated maximum network capacity value. maintaining a data structure storing an estimated maximum network capacity value for the network connection; generating a probe data payload paired with one or more non-probe data payloads, the probe data payload including additional data based on the one or more non-probe data payloads; transmitting the probe data payload and the one or more non-probe data payloads through the network connection, the probe data payload and the one or more non-probe data payloads exceeding the estimated maximum network capacity value for the network connection by a controlled amount; monitoring one or more network response characteristics of the network connection to determine whether at least one of increased latency or increased packet loss occurs responsive to the transmission during a corresponding time of day or at a corresponding location of a transmitter, endpoint, or router using the network connection; responsive to the one or more network response characteristics indicating that neither increased latency or increased packet loss occurs, periodically or continuously updating the data structure to increase the estimated maximum network capacity value for the network connection for a duration corresponding to the corresponding time of day or for an area corresponding to the corresponding location of the transmitter, endpoint, or router using the network connection, the estimated maximum network capacity value representative of the assessed network bandwidth availability; and responsive to an overcapacity data request for additional availability of network capacity for usage of existing networking connections beyond nominally allocated capacities during the duration corresponding to corresponding time of day or from a device located within the area, allocating additional network capacity based on the estimated maximum network capacity value. <EOS>