System for returning rates back to content providers, gateway used for the system, and method of doing the same

A method of returning a rate back to a content provider in a system including (a) at least one user terminal receiving and transmitting packets, (b) a plurality of content providers each of which provides contents through an internet, and (c) a packet communication network connected to both said user terminal and said internet through radio signals, said packet communication network allowing packets to pass therethrough between said user terminal and said content providers, and charging said user terminal making access to said content providers, for packet rates,

• said method comprising the step of, when said user terminal receives packets provided from a content provider to which at least a part of said packet rates is to be returned back, returning said part of said packet rates back to said content provider.

A method of returning a rate back to a content provider in a system including (a) at least one user terminal receiving and transmitting packets, (b) a plurality of content providers each of which provides contents through an internet, and (c) a packet communication network connected to both said user terminal and said internet through radio signals, said packet communication network allowing packets to pass therethrough between said user terminal and said content providers, and charging said user terminal making access to said content providers, for packet rates, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) when said user terminal receives packets provided from a certain content provider, judging whether said certain content provider is a content provider to which at least a part of said packet rates is to be returned back;
• and
• (b) if said certain content provider is a content provider to which at least a part of said packet rates is to be returned back, returning said part of said packet rates back to said certain content provider.

A gateway arranged in a packet communication network through which a plurality of content providers each of which provides contents through an internet transmits packets to and receives packets from a user terminal, said gateway acting as an interface through which said packet communication network makes communication with said internet, said packet communication network charging said user terminal making access to said content providers, for packet rates,

• wherein said gateway, when said user terminal receives packets provided from a certain content provider, judges whether said certain content provider is a content provider to which at least a part of said packet rates is to be returned back, and
• if said certain content provider is judged by said gateway to be a content provider to which at least a part of said packet rates is to be returned back, said part of said packet rates is returned back to said certain content provider.