System and method for implementing flexible calling plans
US6201957A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W4/02
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for providing one or more tiers of alternative rates or rate plans to wireless telephone subscribers utilizes one or more home regions, in which the subscriber can make and receive wireless calls at reduced service rates. The home regions are preferably defined within the wireless subscriber's local calling area and can be defined as a region in proximity with the subscriber's home, office, or other location. Additionally, a second tier of reduced rate services can be provided in another region referred to as the home-perimeter region. The home-perimeter region, in one embodiment, is a subset of the home region, and preferably covers an area somewhat equivalent to the area covered by the subscriber's conventional land line services. As such, the subscriber can make wireless calls in or near his or her home, office, or other location at rates competitive to those offered by land line service providers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.