Wholesale Billing

Billing in broadband networks, especially in Open Access Networks, can be complex due to the various roles and responsibilities between operators, service providers (ISPs), and subscribers.  COS Business Engine is designed to simplify and automate the billing process, no matter which billing model is in use, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.

1. Traditional Open Access Model: ISP-Billed Customers

In the traditional Open Access Network model:

• Service Providers (ISPs) are responsible for billing their subscribers directly.
• Subscribers interact financially only with their chosen ISP and have no visibility into the wholesale fees the ISP pays the network operator.

For this model, the COS Business Engine automates wholesale billing by:

• Aggregating Monthly Wholesale Billing Reports: The system generates detailed reports for each ISP, outlining the total fees owed to the operator based on the number of active subscribers, services provided, or other agreed-upon metrics.
• Centralized Access for Operators: These reports are available in the COS Business Engine’s admin interface, giving operators full visibility into the financial flow and enabling seamless reconciliation with ISPs.

This approach ensures transparency and simplifies the operator’s task of collecting wholesale fees from multiple ISPs.

2. Operator-Billed Customers

In some variations of the Open Access model, the network operator assumes responsibility for billing the end customers. This model can take two forms:

• Operator Bills for Network Access Only: The operator charges the subscriber directly for access to the network infrastructure while ISPs bill the customer separately for services.
• Operator Bills on Behalf of ISPs: The operator consolidates all charges—both network access fees and ISP service fees—into a single invoice for the subscriber.

The COS Business Engine facilitates these models by:

• Automating Invoice Generation: The system calculates all charges, whether for network access, ISP services, or both, and produces a consolidated bill for the customer.
• Revenue Distribution: For operator-billed services, COS Business Engine automates the process of splitting payments between the operator and ISPs based on predefined agreements.
• Customer Portal Integration: Subscribers can view and pay their invoices through the customer portal, streamlining the payment process and enhancing the customer experience.

This flexibility enables operators to take on a more direct customer-facing role if desired while maintaining operational efficiency.