PPPoE intermediate agent functionality is described in the DSL Forum’s TR-101 reference access network architecture. The function is normally performed by an Access Node (e.g, DSLAM) and its primary purpose is to add access loop identification information to the PPPoE discovery stage frames so that the Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) terminating the PPPoE sessions can associate the activity with a particular subscriber. PPPoE intermediate agent functionality is in many ways the equivalent to a DHCP relay agent using Option 82 in that it conveys subscriber identity to the BNG. PPPoE intermediate agent TAGs also contain information such as upstream and downstream data rates for the subscriber local loop. The BNG may use this information, along with subscriber identity to apply policies such as rate limiting or traffic shaping.