System and method for providing communication services

• US 20080250443A1
• Filed: 04/05/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fan, James, Lam, Jennifer, Pok, Chou Lan, Fenton, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/784,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250443A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/007 with remote control systems remote control in general G08C

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing communication services are provided. A method of providing communication services may include provisioning at least one first communication service at a network interface unit (NIU) associated with a premises. The at least one first communication service may be associated with a placeholder account. The method also includes receiving, via the at least one first communication service, a request to activate at least one second communication service. The method also includes automatically activating the at least one second communication service.

Claims

1. A method of providing communication services, the method comprising:

provisioning at least one first communication service at a network interface unit (NIU) associated with a premises, wherein the at least one first communication service is associated with a placeholder account;

receiving, via the at least one first communication service, a request to activate at least one second communication service; and

automatically activating the at least one second communication service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one first communication service includes emergency telephone service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one first communication service includes at least limited telephone, television and Internet services.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one first communication service includes an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one second communication service includes at least limited telephone, television and Internet services.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one second communication service is associated with a subscriber account at activation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the placeholder account is not associated with a particular subscriber.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the premises includes a plurality of communication interfaces pre-wired to the NIU, and wherein an indication of the availability of the at least first communication service is associated with at least one of the communication interfaces.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising prompting a user to request the at least one second communication service after detecting use of the at least one first communication service.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein prompting the user includes automatically communicating with the user after a communication device is coupled to the NIU.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein prompting the user includes calling the user at the premises after a telephone is coupled to the NIU.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein prompting the user includes presenting a user interface at a display device coupled to the NIU, wherein the user interface includes a prompt to request the at least one second communication service.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting a user of the at least one first communication service to set up a subscriber account;

receiving subscriber account information from the user;

setting up a new subscriber account based on the subscriber account information;

deactivating the at least one first communication service and the placeholder account; and

associating the at least one second communication service with the new subscriber account.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for the at least one second communication service is received via at least one of a telephone service, an Internet service, and an interactive television service.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the premises includes a recently occupied residence.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication services include a default level of services.

17. A method of providing communication services, the method comprising:

coupling a communication device to a network interface unit (NIU) at a location associated with the NIU, wherein coupling the communication device to the NIU activates at least one first communication service;

receiving a prompt to activate at least one second communication service; and

sending a response to the prompt via the at least one first communication service, the response including a request to activate the at least one second communication service.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication device comprises a telephone.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication device comprises a display device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication device comprises a computing device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the communication device to the NIU comprises connecting the communication device to a pre-wired communication interface at the location associated with the NIU.

22. A method of providing communication services, the method comprising:

receiving a request to deactivate at least one first communication service associated with a subscriber account;

deactivating the at least one first communication service at a network interface unit (NIU); and

provisioning a second communication service associated with a placeholder account at the NIU, wherein the second communication service includes a default level of services.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second communication service only allows communication to a communication services provider associated with the NIU.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein provisioning the second communication service comprises associating a unique identifier of the NIU with the placeholder account and assigning the second communication services to the placeholder account.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising activating a third communication service in response to a request sent via the NIU.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the third communication service includes a limited activation of the first communication services.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising notifying a prospective subscriber at a premises associated with the NIU that the third communication service is available via the NIU.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the prospective subscriber is notified via mail.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the prospective subscriber is notified via a notice at an interface pre-wired to the NIU.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein notifying the prospective subscriber that the third communication service is available includes providing a promotional code to the prospective subscriber, wherein the promotional code is usable to activate at least limited use of the third communication service at a discounted price.