A residential access node (RAN) running a RAN platform 112 which includes means for interfacing a plurality of peripheral equipment such as analog (POTS) phones 114, standard televisions 116, computers 118, IP telephones 120, and high definition televisions 122 to a packet data network 100. The Network Access Provider RAN platform 124 manages sessions among Customer Premises RAN platforms 112 and Application Service Provider RAN platforms 110 over high bandwidth connections. The Customer Premises RAN platform 112 also determines the number and type of data packets entering or departing via the packet data network 100. Such an architecture allows for the efficient transfer of services (data content) from Application Service Providers to individual network access subscribers by seamlessly accommodating various data types and providing an integrated metering and billing mechanism managed by the Network Access Provider.