According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a computer-implemented method includes allocating a set of computing resources to a first partition from a plurality of partitions in a computer server, and monitoring a usage duration of the set of computing resources by the first partition. The method further includes generating a billing statement based on the usage duration of the computing resources by the first partition. The method further includes detecting an abnormal event in operation of the first partition and adjusting one or more settings of the set of computing resources to increase processing capacity associated with the first partition to complete the abnormal event. The method further includes monitoring a first usage duration of the computing resources during completion of the abnormal event and adjusting the usage duration of based on the first usage duration, and adjusting the billing statement using the adjusted usage duration.

A system and method for automatically negotiating Internet access between a user and one of a plurality of Internet connection providers. Users can buy or bid for Internet bandwidth, for example, through a server or website or by direct communications with an Internet access point such as, for example, a WIFI access point.

A mobile computing device that supports cost-aware application components for operation over a metered network. A current basis for computing usage charges over one or more networks may be made available to the cost-aware application components through an application programming interface supported by an operating system service. That service may receive a policy for charging for data usage over a network and may also obtain information defining data usage for the mobile computing device. Based on this information, the service may determine a current basis for charging for data usage. With this information, the application component can determine a manner for executing network operations that involve data transmission over the network, such as deferring the operation or selecting an alternative network.

A system, smart device and method for apportioning costs of smart device operations between purposes. Operation information concerning operations performed by the smart device is recorded. The operations are apportioned between purposes based on categorization information and the operation information. The cost of the apportioned operations performed by the device is determined for the purposes based on the operation information and tariff information.

A wireless service provider system for authorizing wireless service on a wireless device includes a backend system. The backend system configured receive a request for the wireless service along with a monetary value of the wireless service in any requested amount from the connected device, receive a payment authorization or a verification of payment for the wireless service in the requested amount from the connected device, and receive a request from the connected device for allocating the wireless service.

A mobile computing device that supports cost-aware application components for operation over a metered network. A current basis for computing usage charges over one or more networks may be made available to the cost-aware application components through an application programming interface supported by an operating system service. That service may receive a policy for charging for data usage over a network and may also obtain information defining data usage for the mobile computing device. Based on this information, the service may determine a current basis for charging for data usage. With this information, the application component can determine a manner for executing network operations that involve data transmission over the network, such as deferring the operation or selecting an alternative network.

A tariff data determining method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: obtaining a call detail record set, wherein each call detail record includes a charging condition, a charging unit and a fee deduction that are under the charging condition; grouping a plurality of call detail records to obtain a call detail record group, wherein a same value corresponding to a charging unit in the call detail record group has a correspondence with a unique fee value corresponding to a fee deduction; analyzing the call detail record group to obtain a data feature; selecting a target tariff model corresponding to the data feature; determining a parameter value corresponding to each tariff parameter in the target tariff model; and determining tariff data based on the parameter value, the target tariff model, and the charging condition.

A system and method for automatically negotiating Internet access between a user and one of a plurality of Internet connection providers. Users can buy or bid for Internet bandwidth, for example, through a server or website or by direct communications with an Internet access point such as, for example, a WIFI access point.

A computer-implemented method for provisioning a feature associated with a brand of a wireless communication network may include loading a trigger condition in a catalog for triggering the feature, wherein an in-memory cache of the catalog is accessible by a network provisioning engine of the wireless communication network. At the network provisioning engine, the method may further include receiving, from a billing system computer, a transaction request for a subscriber having a rate plan associated with the brand, using a brand indication in the transaction request to locate the in-memory cache of the catalog, and determining whether the transaction request meets the trigger condition. If the transaction request meets the trigger condition, the method may further include determining a network node for provisioning the feature, and sending instructions to the network node to provision the feature in the subscriber's rate plan.

Methods for implementing different pricing configurations by a server system are disclosed. The server system provides an application programming interface (API) for one or more network operators and receives, from a network operator via the API, a first request for a pricing configuration for network access for one or more internet protocol (IP) addresses hosted by the network operator. The server system retrieves the pricing configuration and provides a response to the first request to the network operator via the API that includes the pricing configuration.