System and method for managing a broadband network

A network control system for managing usage on a broadband network, said broadband network comprising a network and a data gathering system, said control system comprising:

• a monitor component configured for monitoring a subscriber's broadband usage on said network based on data gathered by said data gathering system and determining if said usage exceeds a level indicating an event;
• and
• a controller component configured for determining if said event is consistent with heavy usage or with a security incident;
• said controller being further configured to perform at least one of the following if said event is consistent with heavy usage reallocating bandwidth in said network to said subscriber, offering said subscriber a plan for an upgraded subscription, or offering subscriber an incentive to concentrate usage in nonpeak time;
• and
• said controller being configured to implement security measures in said network to minimize unintended usage if said event is consistent with a security incident.

A network comprising:

• a network control system comprising at least:
• a monitor component configured for monitoring a subscriber's broadband usage on said network based on data gathered by said data gathering system to identify events and trends;
• a controller component configured for receiving an event generated from said monitoring component, comparing said event to said trends, business rules and subscriber information, and generating a response, said response corresponding to at least one of reallocating bandwidth in said network to said subscriber, offering said subscriber a plan for an upgraded subscription, offering subscriber an incentive to concentrate usage in nonpeak time, or implementing security measures in said network to minimize unintended usage if said event is consistent with a security incident;
• a communication component interconnecting said monitor component and said controller component to said network, and being configured to facilitate inter-component communication including reacting to a said response by signaling at least one of a network configuration system, an administrative system, or a security management system, to effect at least one of reallocating bandwidth to the subscriber, offering said subscriber an upgraded subscription, offering said subscriber an incentive to concentrate usage in nonpeak time, or implement security measures to minimize unintended usage of said subscriber;
• said network configuration system connected to said communication component, and being configured to modify said network to increase or decrease available bandwidth to said subscriber in response to a signal from said controller component via the communication component;
• said administrative system connected to said communication component, and being configured to offer said subscriber incentives to change to a different subscription plan for increased bandwidth or to concentrate use to non-peak times in response to a signal from the controller component;
• and
• said security management system connected to said communication component and being configured to execute protective measures in response to a signal from the controller component.