Patent ID: 8396011

Claim:
A method for configuring a network access device including a first network address allocated to a subscriber by a first service provider operating a first service network, and a second network address allocated to the subscriber by a second service provider operating a second service network, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network providing access to at least the first and second service networks, comprising: sending to the subscriber, an updated list of service providers, stored at the network access device in response to successful authenticating of subscriber credentials; receiving from the subscriber, a request to access the second service provider from the list of service providers; sending, from the network access device to the access network, a request to access the second service provider; and initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol, wherein the first network address is released and the second network address is used by the network access device to communicate data packets to the second service provider over the access network.