Patent ID: 8886975

Claim:
A method for networking utilizing inter-gateway communication, the method comprising: in a first broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of devices, wherein said first broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider: receiving, via the at least one corresponding network access service provider, a first amount of information associated with a past consumption of power and a present consumption of power of a first location in which said first broadband gateway resides; receiving, from a second broadband gateway residing in a second location, a second amount of information associated with a past consumption of power and a present consumption of power of said second location in which said second broadband gateway resides; determining, utilizing said first amount of information and said second amount of information, an expected power consumption of said first location; and controlling actual power consumption of said first location utilizing at least said expected power consumption of said first location by configuring a state of power usage for at least a portion of said plurality of devices, wherein configuring said state of power usage of a respective one of said plurality of devices further comprises: identifying a type of said respective one of said plurality of devices; and configuring said state of power usage of said respective one of said plurality of devices utilizing a capability of said type of said respective one of said plurality of devices.