| abstract |
A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform is coupled to a cable facilities management platform for storing a subscriber profile, polling the integrated residence gateway for utility, cable television, telecommunications and other service usage and preference data provided in a billing period and generating an electronic bill for the subscriber over the twisted pair/coaxial cable facility for viewing on a visionphone. Premiums, awards and discounts may be provided via the network service platform upon verification of electronic payment of the electronic bill. |