Sub-Resellers

Overview

A Sub-Reseller (also called a Sub-Operator) is a business partner who operates under a reseller in the ISPBills hierarchy. Sub-resellers manage their own customer base and may further extend their distribution network, creating a multi-tier chain of service delivery.

Hierarchy

ISP Admin (Group Admin)
    └── Reseller (Operator)
            └── Sub-Reseller (Sub-Operator)
                        └── Customers

Each level manages its downstream and reports upward in the billing chain. The admin is the top-level authority; sub-resellers are at the third tier.

When to Use Sub-Resellers

Sub-resellers are useful when:

  • A reseller wants to build their own distribution network (e.g., appointing local agents in different areas).
  • An ISP operates in multiple geographic zones where different resellers manage sub-zones independently.
  • A reseller wants to delegate customer management to subordinate accounts while retaining oversight.

Enabling Sub-Reseller Capability for a Reseller

By default, resellers do not have the ability to add sub-resellers. The admin must explicitly grant this permission.

Not all resellers can add sub-resellers. Reseller module permission must be granted from the admin panel.

Steps to Enable Sub-Reseller Permissions

  1. Navigate to Resellers & Managers > Resellers.
  2. Find the reseller you want to grant sub-reseller capability to.
  3. Click Actions > Special Permissions (or the Permissions option).
  4. Enable the Reseller Module permission.
  5. Save.

Once enabled, the reseller will see a Sub-Resellers menu in their own panel, allowing them to create and manage sub-reseller accounts.

Creating a Sub-Reseller

After the reseller module permission is granted, the reseller can create sub-resellers from their own panel:

  1. Log in to the Reseller Panel.
  2. Navigate to Resellers & Managers > Sub-Resellers.
  3. Click "New Sub-Reseller".
  4. Fill in the sub-reseller's details: name, email, phone, address, and login credentials.
  5. Assign the packages the sub-reseller can sell (with custom pricing if desired).
  6. Click Save.

Sub-Reseller Billing Models

The billing relationship flows upward through the hierarchy:

Level Pays to
Customer Sub-Reseller
Sub-Reseller Reseller
Reseller ISP Admin

Pricing for Sub-Resellers

When assigning packages to a sub-reseller, the reseller sets:

  • Customer Price — what the sub-reseller's customers pay.
  • Operator Price — what the sub-reseller pays the reseller per activation.

The reseller determines the sub-reseller's margin. The admin is not directly involved in setting sub-reseller pricing.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid Sub-Resellers

Just like resellers, sub-resellers can operate on a:

  • Prepaid basis — sub-reseller deposits an advance balance with the reseller; activations deduct from this balance.
  • Postpaid basis — sub-reseller activates services on credit; periodic cash settlements are made to the reseller.

Sub-Reseller Panel Access

Each sub-reseller receives their own login credentials and accesses a dedicated Sub-Reseller Panel. From this panel, the sub-reseller can:

  • Add and manage their own customers.
  • Activate, suspend, or deactivate customer connections.
  • View bills and record payments for their customers.
  • Create and manage their own managers (if the reseller grants this permission).
  • Generate reports for their customer base.

Permissions for Sub-Resellers

The parent reseller controls what functions are available in the sub-reseller's panel. Permissions can be configured granularly — for example, allowing customer creation but restricting financial report access.