System and method for provisioning of internet access services in a guest facility

Abstract

A system and method for provisioning Internet access services to guests of a facility (e.g., one or more hotel chains). Equipment and devices for access service are installed throughout the facility. Each device that supports the Internet access services has a unique identifier. Zones representing various public and private areas within each facility are defined and one or more devices are associated with each zone. Service offerings for wired and wireless connections are defined and associated with one or more zones. Service offerings are also paired with pricing plans that provide various payment options and amounts. A web-based administration application allows an administrator to define and manage service offerings associated with the zones. The application also allows the administrator to define and manage the pricing plans. The ability to customize offerings in each facility allows development of consistent offerings, regardless of the size or layout of the facility.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for provisioning Internet access services in a multi-floor facility comprising:
 (a) a plurality of access points installed within said facility;   (b) a database storing data identifying:
 (i) at least one unique network identifier for each of a plurality of said access points; and 
 (ii) a plurality of Internet service offerings, each of said service offerings comprising:
 (1) a property code; and 
 (2) at least one zone identifiers corresponding to one or more of said at least one unique network identifiers; 
 
   (c) a server operatively connected to said database; and   (d) a network connection between said server and each of said plurality of access points wherein each of said access points is configured to execute instructions received from said server to:
 (i) receive an Internet access request via at least one of said access points; 
 (ii) select one of said internet service offerings according to said unique network identifier, said property code, and said zone identifier. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a first subset of access points is located in a public accessible zone of said facility and a second subset of access points is located in a restricted zone of said facility. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said public accessible zone comprises a lobby in said facility and said restricted zone comprises guest rooms in said facility. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said Internet service offerings comprises a payment feature. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said service offerings comprise an expiration date. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said network connection is wireless.