Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products provide sample content. A stream of data is sent that specifies samples of content available for a preview. A user, via a device, makes a selection from the stream of data. A filtered stream of data is sent that specifies remaining samples of content associated with the selection. Any of the remaining samples of content are thus available for the preview.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products provide sample content. A stream of data is sent that specifies samples of content available for a preview. A user, via a device, makes a selection from the stream of data. A filtered stream of data is sent that specifies remaining samples of content associated with the selection. Any of the remaining samples of content are thus available for the preview.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products provide sample content. One such device includes a processor that receives an electronic programming guide including a listing of available content. The processor also receives an ancillary stream of including samples of content listed in the electronic programming guide. The processor receives a subscriber input that selects a particular content from the electronic programming guide. The processor filters unselected samples of content from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content. The processor processes the sample as a video signal, thus producing a preview of the selected particular content.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway having a controller operable to receive media content from first and second service providers where the first and second service providers deliver the media content to the gateway using different transport protocols, provide the media content from the gateway to a plurality of display devices without utilizing a set top box, receive a request for a service associated with a third service provider where the request is received at the gateway, receive an application resource bundle at the gateway to implement the requested service where the application resource bundle is received from a server associated with one of the first, second and third service providers, and implement the service without identifying the third service provider. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) for a user session may be modified in a network that includes a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) by receiving a request at the NSP and/or the ASP to change the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session. An Application Programming Interface (API) is used at the NSP and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session.

Abstract: A system for supporting a notification capability for a plurality of applications utilizing a next generation network having a network layer includes an application services middleware between the applications and the network layer comprising a plurality of common infrastructure elements usable by the applications. The common infrastructure elements provide both services associated with use of the network and services that are not associated with use of the network. The plurality of common infrastructure elements includes a notification service that is configured to facilitate the sending of messages from authorized services to recipients.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway having a controller operable to receive media content from first and second service providers where the first and second service providers deliver the media content to the gateway using different transport protocols, provide the media content from the gateway to a plurality of display devices without utilizing a set top box, receive a request for a service associated with a third service provider where the request is received at the gateway, receive an application resource bundle at the gateway to implement the requested service where the application resource bundle is received from a server associated with one of the first, second and third service providers, and implement the service without identifying the third service provider. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) for a user session may be modified in a network that includes a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) by receiving a request at the NSP and/or the ASP to change the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session. An Application Programming Interface (API) is used at the NSP and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) for a user session may be modified in a network that includes a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) by receiving a request at the NSP and/or the ASP to change the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session. An Application Programming Interface (API) is used at the NSP and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) for a user session may be modified in a network that includes a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) by receiving a request at the NSP and/or the ASP to change the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session. An Application Programming Interface (API) is used at the NSP and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) for a user session may be modified in a network that includes a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) by receiving a request at the NSP and/or the ASP to change the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session. An Application Programming Interface (API) is used at the NSP and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer program products for a virtual presence service are provided. The virtual presence service includes configuring a virtual presence community and registering a user for the virtual presence community. Also, the virtual presence service includes providing a filter to detect triggering events corresponding to the virtual presence community and initiating group communications in response to detecting the triggering event.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.