How to Manage Connection Cost for Fiber Installation

The functionality supports:

• Charging a one-time installation cost

• Collecting an optional upfront deposit during signup

• Splitting the total connection cost into structured monthly installments

• Triggering invoice creation automatically based on object workflow status

This feature is available for:

• Operator Open Access

• Operator Single Provider

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How Connection Cost Works

When configured on an object or object group, Connection Cost introduces two separate financial components:

1. Connection Cost (Total Amount)

The full installation cost charged to the customer.

This amount:

• Is invoiced automatically by the system

• Can be divided into monthly installments

• Is triggered based on a defined object workflow stage

2. Connection Cost Deposit (Optional)

An upfront payment collected during signup.

Important characteristics:

• Charged immediately during signup

• Invoiced separately from installment payments

• Does not reduce the total connection cost

• Takes precedence over any service deposit

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Installment Logic

The total connection cost can be split into monthly payments.

If a maximum installment amount is defined:

• The system divides the total connection cost into equal or capped monthly invoice rows

• Each monthly payment will not exceed the configured maximum amount

• The number of invoices is calculated automatically

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Workflow-Based Invoice Generation

Connection cost invoice rows are generated automatically as the signup progresses through the object lifecycle.

The system checks the configured trigger stage and creates invoice rows once that stage is reached.

Available Trigger Points

Each workflow activity validates whether it matches the configured trigger. If not, the next activity performs the same check.

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Important Behavior

Invoice rows are generated only once per signup and only when the correct workflow stage is reached.

Changes to the trigger setting:

• Affect future signups only

• Do not retroactively generate invoices for existing signups

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Object Group vs Object-Level Control

Connection Cost values can be defined at:

• Object Group level (recommended for consistent pricing)

• Individual Object level

If both are set:

• Object-level values override Object Group values

This allows standardized pricing while maintaining flexibility for specific locations.

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Billing Provider Separation

Connection Cost billing can be handled by a dedicated service provider.

If a Connection Cost Billing Provider is configured:

• The deposit invoice uses its payment processor

• Installment invoices use the same payment processor

• It can differ from the provider handling subscription services

If no valid billing provider is available:

• No deposit invoice is created

• No connection cost invoice rows are generated

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Marketplace Presentation

When an object has a connection cost configured, the Marketplace clearly displays:

• Total connection cost

• Deposit amount (if applicable)

• Remaining amount after deposit

• Number of installments

• When invoicing will occur

On the signup summary page:

• Connection cost appears at the top of the service overview

• It is shown before subscription pricing details

This ensures pricing transparency before order confirmation.

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Signup Without Selecting a Service

The system supports connection-only signups.

When enabled:

• Customers can complete signup without selecting a service subscription

• Only the connection cost (and deposit, if applicable) is shown

• The summary page reflects connection-only pricing

This is useful for staged service activation models or pre-installation campaigns.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is the deposit deducted from the connection cost?

A:No. The deposit is invoiced separately and does not reduce the total connection cost.

Q:What happens if both a connection deposit and service deposit exist?

A:The connection cost deposit takes precedence. Only the connection cost deposit will be charged.

Q: Can the trigger stage be changed?

A:Yes. The change applies to new signups only. Existing signups are not recalculated.

Q:What happens if no billing provider is configured?

A:No connection cost invoices (deposit or installments) will be generated.