For optimizing Internet access resources, a method and system for billing
network access capacities shared across Internet service providers is
disclosed. A Client Service Provider (CSP) may rent access on Points Of
Presence belonging to a Master Service Provider (MSP) while maintaining a
constant security level and providing connection accounting. When a CSP's
subscriber sends an access request to a MSP, the MSP analyzes the
subscriber's realm and checks the capacities allocated to the
subscriber's CSP. If connection is allowed, the MSP sends an
authentication request to the CSP. If the subscriber is authenticated,
the MSP launches an accounting process based on the subscriber's realm
while the CSP may launch an accounting process associated with the
subscriber identifier. The cost of rented Points Of Presence capacity is
based on total connection time and on the number of simultaneous
connections established by the MSP for the CSP, combined with
predetermined thresholds.