Establishing and managing communications over telecommunication networks

Abstract

A telecommunication system and method for communicating between at least two end users over a telecommunication network, where the communication is defined by a set of parameters. At least two entities, such as one or both of the end users and/or the service providers negotiate an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication. The entities also negotiate a warranty agreement with the network service provider defining at least one of the agreed parameters to be warranted including a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values. The agreed warranted parameters are monitored once the communication is established and, in the event of a failure of the monitored parameters to meet agreed values, at least one of the entities is compensated in accordance with the agreed compensation method. When more than two entities are involved in a communication, the compensation from an entity can be divided amongst the other entities according to an agreed scheme.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of communication between at least first and second entities over a telecommunication network, where said communication is defined by a set of parameters, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (i) negotiating between said at least first and second entities an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication;    (ii) negotiating a warranty agreement between said at least first and second entities defining at least one of said agreed parameters to be monitored and a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values;    (iii) establishing said communication;    (iv) monitoring said at least one parameter of said communication; and    (v) in the event of a failure of said monitored parameter to meet said agreed value, compensating at least one of said first and second entities in accordance with said negotiated compensation method.    
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said warranty agreement further defines a penalty clause allowing an entity responsible for said monitored parameter and failing to meet said agreed value to renegotiate said communication by providing a penalty compensation, defined in said warranty agreement.  
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein step (iv) is performed by a third entity trusted by each of said at least first and second entities.  
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compensation is a monetary compensation.  
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compensation is by the provision of a reduced cost for said communication.  
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compensation is by the provision of a reduced cost for a future communication between said at least first and second entities.  
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compensation is by the provision of an agreed amount of data transfer through said communication at no cost to said compensated entity.  
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least a third entity is involved in providing said communication between said first and second entities, said third entity providing a point to point link for said communication and having agreed to said negotiated set of values for said parameters and to said warranty agreement and wherein, when compensation is provided in the event of a failure, said compensation is shared between at least two of said entities  
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one parameter of said communication which is monitored is the latency of said communication between at least two entities involved in said communication.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one parameter of said communication which is monitored is an error rate experienced during said communication between at least two entities involved in said communication.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one parameter that is monitored is the type of communication and one of said at least two entities performs said monitoring.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one parameter that is monitored is the identity of the entity receiving the communication.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one parameter is conditional on another parameter of said communication.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the amount of compensation paid in step (iv) is graduated and dependent upon the degree to which said at least one monitored parameter is not met.  
     
     
         15 . A telecommunications system comprising: 
 a first end user;    a second end user;    a telecommunications network interconnecting said first end user said second end user and having at least one transmission link and protocol;    said first end user and said telecommunication network negotiating a communication between said first end user and said second end user; and    said first end user and said telecommunication network being operable to: 
 (a) agree on values for a set of parameters defining a communication between said first end user and said second end user; and  
 (b) agree on a warranty agreement defining at least one of said set of parameters to be monitored and a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values.  
   
     
     
         16 . The telecommunications system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the compensation method includes paying a monetary compensation to at least one of said first and second end users.  
     
     
         17 . The telecommunications system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein a third party, trusted by said first end user and said telecommunication network, monitors said communication to ensure said monitored parameter is met.