Patent ID: 8204042

Claim:
A method of establishing voice over Internet Protocol service in a network that comprises a regional access network that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between an application service provider and a customer premises network that includes customer premises equipment, comprising: using application programming interface calls between the application service provider and the regional access network to communicate directly with the regional access network without traversing any intermediate network nodes to establish voice over Internet Protocol service for a user; and receiving a request at the application service provider from the user to register for voice over Internet Protocol service before using application programming interface calls at the application service provider to communicate with the regional access network; wherein using the application programming interface calls to communicate with the regional access network to establish voice over Internet Protocol service for the user comprises: using application programming interface calls to communicate directly with the regional access network without traversing any of the intermediate network nodes to obtain a bandwidth range, quality of service capabilities, and at least one derived service option from the regional access network; and presenting to the user via the application service provider a bandwidth within the bandwidth range and a quality of service option within the quality of service capabilities and the at least one derived service option.