Patent ID: 7076531

Claim:
A method of establishing a confirmed start date of broadband network service to a location upon completing installation of the broadband network service at the location for use by a billing system in billing for the broadband network service, the confirmed start date of service being based on receiving a broadband sign-off form, the method comprising, after completing installation of the broadband network service: transmitting a request by a client computer at the location over the installed broadband network service for the broadband sign-off form from a server computer; measuring a download time for the sign-off form from the server computer to the client computer; receiving by the client computer the broadband sign-off form from the server computer over the installed broadband network service, wherein the sign-off form comprises a representation of the download time and an input field; completing by a consumer and/or technician operating the client computer, the input field in the broadband sign-off form, the input field indicating that installation of the broadband network service is complete and functioning properly; and sending by the client computer to the server computer the broadband sign-off form containing the indication that the installation of the broadband network service is complete and functioning properly to thereby cause the billing system to record a start date of broadband network service based on the sent broadband sign-off form for initiating billing for the broadband network service, wherein the sending of the completed form provides confirmation of a start date from which the service is verified to have installation completed and be functioning properly.