Level 1 gateway for video tone networks

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A communication method comprising: receiving a request for service from a subscriber's terminal at a level 1 gateway control element of a broadband communication network; in response to the request for service, generating menu information listing a plurality of broadband information service providers available through the broadband communication network; transmitting said menu information from the level 1 gateway to the terminal; visually displaying the menu to the subscriber; receiving a selection of a service provider listed on the menu at the level 1 gateway; and controlling the broadband communication network to establish a broadband communication though the network between a broadband server operated by the selected service provider and the subscriber's terminal and signaling communication between the subscriber's terminal and a level 2 gateway controlling operation of the server.
2.
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of generating the menu information comprises: storing data identifying providers who are available to the subscriber; and generating the menu information so as to list only those providers available to the subscriber.
3.
A method as in claim 2, wherein the stored information identifies providers having a server connected to a portion of the network serving the subscriber.
4.
A method as in claim 2, wherein the stored information comprises a list of providers pre-selected by the subscriber.
5.
A method as in claim 1, further comprising: accumulating data specifying the duration of connect time for the broadband communication through the network; and billing based on the connect time duration.
6.
A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of billing comprises: calculating a network service charge for the broadband communication based on the connect time duration; and generating a bill to the selected service provider for the network service charge.
7.
A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of billing comprises: calculating a network charge for the broadband communication based on the connect time duration; calculating a service charge for a service provided by the selected service provider through said broadband communication; and generating a combined bill to the subscriber for the network charge and the service charge