A SYSTEM, METHOD, AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR AUTOMATED NEGOTIATION OF A CONTRACT DURING A TRANSACTION INVOLVING BANDWIDTH

摘要

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for contract negotiation in a bandwidth market environment. First, bandwidth on a network is allocated among a plurality of users. An amount of unused bandwidth of a first user is identified. A request for bandwidth on the network is received from a second user. Then, a negotiation between the first and second users is allowed to determine transaction terms for reallocation of the unused bandwidth from the first user to the second user. upon acceptance of the transaction terms by the first and second users, contract information relating to the transaction terms is sent to the first and second users.