System and method for variable pricing of data usage

A server configured to deliver variable pricing of data usage to a user device operated by a user, the server comprising:

• a usage monitor configured to identify the user and monitor usage patterns of the user device;
• a pricing policy engine configured to generate pricing information based on at least one of the identity of the user and the usage patterns;
• a delegation controller configured to receive a delay preference selection including pricing plan information;
• and
• a usage controller configured to receive pricing information from the pricing policy engine, the server being configured to delay data usage to the delay tolerant application based on the delay preference selection and the pricing information.

A method for delivering variable pricing of data usage to a user device operated by a user, the method comprising:

• receiving user device communications at a server and identifying the user and monitoring usage patterns of the user device;
• generating pricing information based on at least one of the identity of the user and the usage patterns;
• transmitting the pricing information to the user device;
• and
• receiving a delay preference selection at the user device, the delay preference selection identifying at least one delay tolerant application, receive pricing information at the user device and delaying data usage to the delay tolerant application based on the delay preference selection and the pricing information.

A method for delivering variable pricing of data usage to a user device operated by a user, the method comprising:

• receiving user device communications at a server and identifying the user and monitoring usage patterns of the user device;
• generating pricing information at the server based on at least one of the identity of the user and the usage patterns;
• receiving a delay preference selection at the server, the delay preference selection including pricing plan information;
• and
• receiving pricing information at the server and delaying data usage to the delay tolerant application based on the delay preference selection and the pricing information.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program for execution by a processor configured to perform a method for delivering variable pricing of data usage to a user device operated by a user, the method comprising:

• receiving user device communications at a server and identifying the user and monitoring usage patterns of the user device;
• generating pricing information based on at least one of the identity of the user and the usage patterns;
• transmitting the pricing information to the user device;
• receiving a delay preference selection at the user device, the delay preference selection identifying at least one delay tolerant application;
• and
• receiving pricing information at the user device and delaying data usage to the delay tolerant application based on the delay preference selection and the pricing information.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program for execution by a processor configured to perform a method for delivering variable pricing of data usage to a user device operated by a user, the method comprising:

• receiving user device communications at a server and identifying the user and monitoring usage patterns of the user device;
• generating pricing information at the server based on at least one of the identity of the user and the usage patterns;
• receiving a delay preference selection at the server, the delay preference selection including pricing plan information;
• and
• receiving pricing information at the server and delaying data usage to the delay tolerant application based on the delay preference selection and the pricing information.