Dynamic movement of the control channel for broadband communication devices

A method for controlling a plurality of broadband communication terminals, comprising:

• generating control information adapted to provide different functionality to different broadband communication terminals;
• generating a plurality of control channel configuration messages targeted to different terminals;
• and
• transmitting said control information to said terminals on different control channels;
• wherein:
• said control channel configuration messages designate a particular control channel from which the targeted terminal should thereafter acquire the control information required to control the functionality of the respective terminal;
• and
• said transmitter provides the control information to the respective terminal on the designated control channel for use until the terminal is directed to another control channel by a new control channel configuration message.

A broadband communications terminal comprising:

• a tuner;
• a processor for directing said tuner to a particular control channel in response to a control channel configuration message received from a remote service provider;
• said processor being responsive to control information received via said particular control channel to control the functionality of said broadband communications terminal;
• wherein:
• said tuner remains tuned to said particular control channel for receipt of control information until directed to a different control channel by a new control channel configuration message;
• and
• said processor uses the control information received via said particular control channel to control said functionality until control information is received from said different control channel for use by said processor.