Abstract: At a telephony service location remote from a caller and a call recipient, a request for establishing a connection to the call recipient is received. The request is initiated by the caller specifying a number associated with the call recipient. A call recipient originated command signal is received during a call connected phase, the call recipient originated command signal being a single command that is interpreted by the telephony service without the necessity of any additional command being sent. In response to receiving the call recipient originated command signal, a service or transaction is initiated between the caller and the call recipient other than a standard call connection transaction. The call recipient originated command signal is received from a communication device of the call recipient.

Abstract: A method, implemented at least in part by a computing device, that can be used to bill a communication. The method includes terminating a teleservice request at an intermediary node, wherein the teleservice request is associated with a sender and a recipient; receiving teleservice content transmitted by the sender, wherein the teleservice content is received at no charge to the sender; receiving a request transmitted by the recipient to access the teleservice content, wherein receiving the request includes charging a fee; and sending the teleservice content to the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing automated call back requests are provided. In one method a signaling link in a telecommunications system is monitored for a transaction including a connection request containing a called address followed by a disconnection request within a first predetermined time period. Responsive to the transaction, the method determines if a trigger condition exists, and if so, communicates a call back request to a called party through a separate network.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for sending notifications asynchronously over a telephony network. The method and system include receiving a request over a first telephony connection from a first communication device associated with a first user identifying a second communication device associated with a second user, sending one or more response communications over the first telephony connection to the first communication device associated with the first user, disconnecting the first telephony connection with the first communication device of the first user, and sending a notification over a second telephony connection to the second communication device associated with the second user, the notification including information sufficient to allow the second user to identify the first user or the first communication device associated with the first user.

Abstract: A telecommunication method and system are described. A request in a telephony network is received for a communication connection between a caller and a call recipient. A call connect command is received from the caller. In response to the call connect command and before conventional routing to connect the communication, the caller is notified of at least one offering. The communication connection is routed between the caller and the call recipient after the caller is notified of the at least one offering.

Abstract: A method of operating a telephony service on a telephony network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of establishing and/or requesting a telephonic connection and/or a call between a caller and a call recipient, receiving a command signal initiated by the caller and/or the call recipient and/or the telephony network during any phase in the call process, the command signal comprising a data signal and/or tone, and initiating a service to the caller and/or the call recipient, or initiating a transaction between the caller and the call recipient in response to receiving the command signal other than a standard call connect and/or disconnect command. Preferably, the data signal and/or tone relates to one of the “*”, “0” or “#” keys of the telephone equipment of the caller, wherein each of the “*”, “0” or “#” keys is associated with a different category of service or transaction.

Abstract: Short message service (SMS) message processing is described. An SMS message is addressed in a short message entity (SME) device. The SMS message is addressed without providing any message content for the SMS message. The SMS message is sent to an SMS center, and rated based on no message content.

Abstract: At a telephony service location remote from a caller and a call recipient, a request for establishing a connection to the call recipient is received. The request is initiated by the caller specifying a number associated with the call recipient. A call recipient originated command signal is received during a call connected phase, the call recipient originated command signal being a single command that is interpreted by the telephony service without the necessity of any additional command being sent. In response to receiving the call recipient originated command signal, a service or transaction is initiated between the caller and the call recipient other than a standard call connection transaction. The call recipient originated command signal is received from a communication device of the call recipient.

Abstract: A virtual network has an identity distinct from an existing network identity. A user of the virtual network, without being charged, generates a request, over an existing telephony network, for a first communication between a first communication device and a second communication device. Without allowing the first communication to connect completely to the second communication device, a notification is transmitted to the second communication device and the request is automatically disconnected. The notification includes information sufficient to allow a user of the second communication device to request a second communication connection with the first communication device. The user of the second communication device to request the second communication after the request for the first communication is disconnected.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a telephony service are disclosed. A telephone network is provided, which may be a physical network or a virtual network hosted by an existing network. Network identifies defined by SIM cards, or telephones with built-in SIM cards, are issued to network users. The SIM cards defines a network identity including a unique network telephone number. The network, which is preferably an intelligent network (IN) is configured to permit telephones of the users to receive calls and/or messages, irrespective of the status of a user's account with the network. In addition, the network is configured to permit users without credit or airtime to make an outgoing call to an intended call recipient, the call being disconnected after a predetermined number of rings. This is sufficient to create a missed call notification on a mobile telephone of the intended call recipient.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products related to mobile communications are disclosed. One method includes, responsive to a mobile originated teleservice request, pushing a contextual network initiated Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) session back to an originating mobile device including presenting a listing of a plurality of service options associated with a caller and/or the called party address information captured in the teleservice request.

Abstract: A telecommunication method and system are described. A request in a telephony network is received for a communication connection between a caller and a call recipient. A call connect command is received from the caller. In response to the call connect command and before conventional routing to connect the communication, the caller is notified of at least one offering. The communication connection is routed between the caller and the call recipient after the caller is notified of the at least one offering.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products related to mobile communications are disclosed. One method includes, responsive to a mobile originated teleservice request, pushing a contextual network initiated Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) session back to an originating mobile device including presenting a listing of a plurality of service options associated with a caller and/or the called party address information captured in the teleservice request.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for signaling asynchronous supplementary services in a telephony network. The method comprises initiating a call between a sender and a recipient on a telephony network including generating a telephony request and disconnecting the call prior to completion of a connection. Concomitantly, an asynchronous communication is initiated between the sender and the recipient using information in the telephony request. The call may be disconnected prior to allocation of a traffic channel or prior to generating a ring at a device of the recipient. In one embodiment the call is disconnected after receipt of the telephony request by an originating mobile switching center but before continuing set-up of the call. Calls aborted in this way can be used to initiate messaging or other services without utilising voice circuits in a network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing automated call back requests are provided. In one method a signaling link in a telecommunications system is monitored for a transaction including a connection request containing a called address followed by a disconnection request within a first predetermined time period. Responsive to the transaction, the method determines if a trigger condition exists, and if so, communicates a call back request to a called party through a separate network.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a telephone service are disclosed, in which callers with insufficient credit or network airtime are able to contact a call recipient. The network monitors call attempts from callers to identify call attempts from callers with insufficient credit or airtime to make a call. When such a call attempt is detected, a call request is transmitted to the intended recipient of the call, to notify the recipient of the call attempt. The notification may take the form of an in-call notification if the call recipient is on-line, or an SMS or voicemail message if the recipient is off-line. The method and system permit individuals who otherwise would not be able to access the network to indicate to a call recipient that they have attempted to contact the call recipient. The call recipient can then contact the would be caller at his/her discretion.

Abstract: A method of operating a telephony service on a telephony network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of establishing and/or requesting a telephonic connection and/or a call between a caller and a call recipient, receiving a command signal initiated by the caller and/or the call recipient and/or the telephony network during any phase in the call process, the command signal comprising a data signal and/or tone, and initiating a service to the caller and/or the call recipient, or initiating a transaction between the caller and the call recipient in response to receiving the command signal other than a standard call connect and/or disconnect command. Preferably, the data signal and/or tone relates to one of the “*”, “0 ” or “#” keys of the telephone equipment of the caller, wherein each of the “*”, “0” or “#” keys is associated with a different category of service or transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a telephony service are disclosed. A telephone network is provided, which may be a physical network or a virtual network hosted by an existing network. Network identifies defined by SIM cards, or telephones with built-in SIM cards, are issued to network users. The SIM cards defines a network identity including a unique network telephone number. The network, which is preferably an intelligent network (IN) is configured to permit telephones of the users to receive calls and/or messages, irrespective of the status of a user's account with the network. In addition, the network is configured to permit users without credit or airtime to make an outgoing call to an intended call recipient, the call being disconnected after a predetermined number of rings. This is sufficient to create a missed call notification on a mobile telephone of the intended call recipient.

Abstract: The invention provides a communication system comprising a network infrastructure and a plurality of telephone terminals. The telephone terminals can be conventional telephones. The network infrastructure includes a control center with an associated database, which stores data corresponding to telephone numbers allocated to subscribers. The database also stores respective subscriber identity codes. A user of the system can use any conventional telephone to access the system and enters a predetermined access code, their telephone number and their identity code. If the entered information is validated, the network maps the subscriber's telephone number to the telephone in use, which is effectively converted temporarily to the subscriber's own personal telephone.