This document serves as a formal guide to outline how Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using the WISPGate platform are billed for licensing based on their subscriber count. The goal is to ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness in the billing process, particularly as it relates to WISPGate’s “per-subscriber” licensing model.

WISPGate is a cloud-based ISP billing and network management solution designed to simplify the business of running a wireless ISP. The platform offers a range of tools such as subscriber management, data capping, voucher sales, hotspot services, and detailed billing systems all of which feed into the mechanism used to track and calculate actual subscribers.

To align with WISPGate’s flexible and scalable pricing strategy, it is crucial to define who counts as a subscriber, how subscriber status is categorized, and how these numbers are used to determine license charges. This document will provide that clarity.

For reference, see WISPGate Pricing, which outlines that licensing fees are calculated on a “per subscriber” basis.

How WISPGate Defines a Subscriber

In the WISPGate ecosystem, a subscriber is generally defined as any unique user or device that is granted access to internet services via the platform, regardless of access type (e.g., via hotspot, subscription, or voucher).

Depending on how an ISP structures its service plans, a subscriber may fall under any of the following categories:

• Fixed Subscriptions (Sub-Service): Long-term users with monthly or custom plans.
• Hotspot Service Users: Users connecting via pay-per-use or daily/time-based hotspots.
• Voucher Users: Prepaid users using generated codes to gain access.

Each of these categories may contain users in varying states (active, suspended, data exhausted), which are detailed in this document to help clarify billing eligibility.

How Subscriber Count is Calculated

WISPGate charges licensing fees based on the total number of valid subscribers within an ISP’s environment. To ensure fairness and consistency, subscriber data is derived from three main tables within the platform:

1. Sub-Service Table

This table holds all direct subscription accounts managed under packages or monthly service plans.

• Counted: All users with status Active, Suspended, or Data Exhausted
• Not Counted: Users with status Inactive or Canceled

These are standard customers on fixed plans who are either actively using the service or temporarily paused but still occupying a seat in the system.

2. Hotspot Service Table

This contains data on users who access internet via hotspot accounts, often on a time-based or data-based model.

• Counted: All users with status Active, Suspended, or Data Exhausted
• Not Counted: Users with status Inactive or Canceled

Hotspot subscribers, whether accessing via time-based or data cap, are included unless their account is explicitly inactive or canceled.

3. Hotspot Voucher Table

This table tracks prepaid voucher-based users, which may be distributed in bulk or one-off sales.

• Counted: Only vouchers that have been used (redeemed) during the current billing month
• Not Counted: Unused vouchers or vouchers from past months

Each redeemed voucher represents a real subscriber who accessed your network during the billing period.

Profile & Invoice Payment Sections (How ISPs Monitor & Pay Their Subscriptions)

WISPGate provides an intuitive dashboard where ISPs can view their subscription plan, monitor billing details, and make payments. These features are accessible from the Profile and Invoice Payment sections in the system.

Profile Section

• View your current subscription plan (e.g., Up to 100 Subscribers, 500 Subscribers, etc.)
• See the remaining time before your license renewal is due
• Check your billing email and account details
• Update basic ISP profile information

Invoice Payment Section

• View a list of all invoices generated
• Monitor payment status: Paid, Pending, or Overdue
• See the invoice generation date and due date
• Make instant payments online using supported payment methods
• Export or download invoice copies for recordkeeping

Refer to Screenshot above to see the layout of the Profile and Invoice sections.

These tools ensure that ISPs are always in control of their licensing, have access to up-to-date billing info, and can stay compliant without delays.

Why Accurate Subscriber Counting Matters

The subscriber count directly influences your license tier. Transparent and standardized counting:

• Ensures you’re only charged for users actively tied to your network.
• Gives your business a clear view of growth trends and service usage.
• Allows for scalable licensing that adjusts to your needs.

WISPGate’s goal is to help ISPs grow efficiently without overpaying for inactive or dormant users.

For pricing details, visit the official WISPGate Pricing Page.

Service Categorization & Description

1. Sub-Service = Active + Suspended + Data Exhausted

The Sub-Service category in WISPGate represents the core internet access service delivered to individual customers or end-users through standard subscription-based mechanisms. Each subscriber account can exist in one of three distinct states:

A. Active Subscriptions

• Represents subscribers who currently have an active, valid subscription.
• They have available data or valid time-based access.
• Billing is up to date and all service criteria (like KYC, policy compliance, etc.) are met.
• Usage: These accounts can browse, stream, and use the internet without restriction based on their subscription plan.

B. Suspended Subscriptions

• These are subscribers whose accounts have been temporarily deactivated.
• Reasons may include:
  • Non-payment or expired subscription.
  • Manual administrative suspension.
  • Breach of terms of service (e.g., excessive usage beyond fair policy).
• While suspended, no data services are accessible.
• Accounts in this state are retained in the system for easy reactivation.

C. Data Exhausted Subscriptions

• Accounts in this state have consumed their entire data allocation.
• Unlike “Suspended,” the account may still be valid (i.e., within time validity).
• Options for resolution:
  • Purchase additional data bundles.
  • Wait for auto-renewal (if applicable).
• The system may allow limited access (e.g., zero-rated services or a redirection page).

2. Hotspot Service = Active + Suspended + Data Exhausted

The Hotspot Service is a public-access model that allows users to connect to the internet via wireless hotspots (e.g., cafes, hotels, community zones). Similar to Sub-Service, each user’s session or account falls into one of three categories:

A. Active Hotspot Users

• Users with valid credentials or vouchers who are actively authenticated on the hotspot network.
• They have data/time quota remaining and can browse freely.
• Typically managed via captive portal login or integrated social login systems.

B. Suspended Hotspot Users

• Hotspot users whose sessions or credentials have been manually or automatically suspended.
• Reasons include:
  • Breach of terms
  • Administrative action due to misbehavior.
  • Session timeout without logout.
• No internet access is granted during suspension.

C. Data Exhausted Hotspot Users

• Hotspot users who have consumed their data limit (voucher or time-based).
• No further access is permitted unless:
  • A new voucher is applied.
  • Additional top-up is made.
  • Access is reset or reactivated manually by an admin.

3. Hotspot Voucher = Unused Vouchers

Hotspot Vouchers are prepaid codes or cards used to authenticate and access the hotspot network. The Unused Vouchers category includes all vouchers generated but not yet activated or consumed by users.

Characteristics:

• Stored in system inventory.
• Not yet tied to any user session or device.
• Have predefined:
  • Data volume (e.g., 1GB, 5GB).
  • Validity duration (e.g., 24hrs, 7 days).
  • Access level (basic, premium).
• Can be distributed physically or electronically.

System Notes:

• Every voucher has a unique serial number or PIN.
• Once redeemed, it transitions from Unused to Used/Active in the system logs.
• Voucher status tracking is essential for auditing, inventory control, and fraud prevention.

4. Contact Billing = Every Single Generated Voucher per Contact Counts

Contact Billing refers to a specialized billing mechanism under the Neurotel integration where billing is calculated per contact based on voucher generation, not necessarily usage.

Key Elements:

• Definition of Contact:
  • A unique user profile or customer entry in the system (can be linked to a phone number, user ID, or device MAC address).
    
• Billing Mechanism:
  • Every voucher generated for a contact (regardless of usage status) triggers a billing entry.
  • The system counts:
    • Used vouchers
    • Unused vouchers
    • Expired vouchers
      
    • This ensures that billing reflects service provisioning activities, not just consumption.
      
• Why It Matters:
  • Ensures accountability and transparency in voucher distribution.
  • Helps track customer engagement and predict usage trends.
  • Provides consistent billing metrics for financial forecasting and reporting.

Conclusion

This structured breakdown of WISPGate’s core components supports effective service monitoring, customer management, financial reconciliation, and system optimization. Understanding these categories helps smoothen technical operations, improve user experience, and align the platform with business objectives.