Abstract: A system and method for delivering and charging for data services over a netword system. A hardware device called “network access controller” (NAC) can be configured by a management system with information regarding data services available on a per-user, per-customer, or per-service basis. The access controller is able to read all data packets coming into the network and figure out whether they indicate the start of any premium service session like video on demand or whether they are from a premium user who needs special treatment. The access controller is able to process incoming data packets without leading to any degradation in performance or throughput. Once it detects the start of a specific type of data service session, then the access controller signals to the management system that this data service flow has started and supplies additional information extracted from the incoming data packet.