Verizon patent would allow auction of unused bandwidth

Based on a patent filing made public during the week of Aug 31, Verizon may be working on what it calls "dynamic auctioning of unused network capacity." The technology would allow service providers to sell unused capacity to subscribers for a pre-determined amount of time.

"Systems and methods described herein enable wireless service providers to identify, offer, and monetize unused network capacity that would otherwise be wasted," the filing says. The patent describes the auction system as a means of allowing customers to "dynamically" change quality of service (QoS) levels for a short time, perhaps even through a "self-service portal," or user-controlled interface. "For example, a subscriber enrolled in a very low cost service, may for a brief episode, such as an important video conference call of one hour, require a higher QoS level," the filing explained.