Abstract: A method of connecting a PC (1) to the Internet (10), wherein the connection is made through a telephone network exchange (5) and one of a plurality of Internet Access Servers (IASs, 8) coupled to the Internet (10). The method comprises receiving an initial Internet access request from the PC (1), the request being directed to a first B-number predefined at the PC (1). In response to the initial request, a first B-channel on one of the IASs (8) is allocated to the PC (1). A new B-number is then sent to the PC (1) and subsequent Multilink data network access requests from the PC (1) are directed to this new number. Requests made to the new number are recognized by the exchange (5) as Multilink requests and the subscriber is allocated further B-channels on the same IAS (8) from a reserved fraction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a Network Access Server (NAS) in conjunction with a telecommunications switch to combine computer protocols with telecommunications signaling. For instance, a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is combined with B-Answer and B-on-Hook signals. When a subscriber dials into an NAS to access a private network (e.g., the Internet), the various phases of a PPP are addressed. The network phase provides communication throughput from the subscriber to the Internet. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a B-Answer signal is sent to the telecommunications network after the network phase is entered. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a B-on-Hook signal is sent to the telecommunications network approximately as the “Closing” transition of the PPP occurs. Telecommunications network billing therefore occurs as a result of, and in direct proportion to, Internet communication provided to the subscriber.

Abstract: The objective of the invention is a system, comprising an ISDN-network, having access through the intelligent network service switching point (SSP) to the services offered by the intelligent network service control point (SCP), a data network, in which at least one computer has a data network-address, and a gateway connecting the networks. The call can be connected to a telephone integrated to the computer, so that the data network-address used by the subscriber's computer and the subscriber's personal identifier are at first transferred to the gateway, which codes the data network-address. Thereafter the coded address, the gateway address and the subscriber's personal identifier are transmitted to the intelligent network and recorded in the database of the Service Data Point (SDP). The intelligent network has now the required data to create the speech connection between the mentioned subscriber and another subscriber.

Abstract: A terminal (1, 2) connected to the public telephone network PSTN has access to the Internet-connecting node by dialling a service number. In the access node the server gives the terminal a temporary IP-address and sets up the connection to the area network (15) or to the worldwide Internet (11) offering chargeable services. In order to bind the A-number and the IP-address to each other and thus bill the user for the chargeable services the procedure is as follows: when setting up the connection to the service number, the telephone exchange (4), containing the intelligent network switching functions, informs the intelligent network Service Control Point (SCP) (14) of both the user's (1 or 2 ) A-number and the device location identification (C′) of the telephone exchange (4) from which the connection has been setup to the router (6) entry point in the access node.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for providing a data connection between an agent and a database of a company to which a calling subscriber desires to make a contact and a speech and/or data connection between the agent and the calling A-subscriber as the A-subscriber calls to a service provider. According to the invention, the call is directed to a services switching point of an intelligent network, from which the information concerning the call called to the number is transferred to a services control point, a free agent is reserved in the services control point on basis of a table, an information is given to provide connections to the services switching point, a data connection is established from the database of the desired service provider to the agent, and a connection is established between the caller and the agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a Network Access Server (NAS) in conjunction with a telecommunications switch to combine computer protocols with telecommunications signaling. For instance, a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is combined with B-Answer and B-on-Hook signals. When a subscriber dials into an NAS to access a private network (e.g., the Internet), the various phases of a PPP are addressed. The network phase provides communication throughput from the subscriber to the Internet. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a B-Answer signal is sent to the telecommunications network after the network phase is entered. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a B-on-Hook signal is sent to the telecommunications network approximately as the “Closing” transition of the PPP occurs. Telecommunications network billing therefore occurs as a result of, and in direct proportion to, Internet communication provided to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method of connecting a subscriber terminal to the Internet, wherein the connection is made through an exchange of a public telephone network and the exchange has a plurality of Internet access servers (IASs). In response to a request received from the subscriber terminal, it is determined whether or not an active connection currently exists for that terminal over one of the IASs. If an active connection does not currently exist, transmission bandwidth on one of the IAS is allocated to the subscriber terminal. If an active connection does exist, the IAS on which transmission bandwidth is allocated is identified, and additional bandwidth allocated to the terminal on that IAS if available. If sufficient additional bandwidth is not available, the active connection is transferred to a second IAS on which sufficient bandwidth is available.

Abstract: A telecommunications switch is provided with an internal ethernet link which is connected to a group switch/time switch portion of the switch through a number of interface processors. The group switch/time switch portion functions to switch data communications among and between the subscriber lines, trunk lines and the interface processors. The ethernet link serves as a concentrator for packet data communications carried over the subscriber/trunk lines and handled by switch. The interface processors operate to selectively insert and extract packet data communications to and from the ethernet link. A connection is made via the ethernet link to an Internet access point to allow concentrated data packet communication with the Internet.

Abstract: A terminal (1, 2) connected to the public telephone network PSTN has access to the Internet-connecting node by dialling a service number. In the access node the server gives the terminal a temporary IP-address and sets up the connection to the area network (15) or to the worldwide Internet (11) offering chargeable services. In order to bind the A-number and the IP-address to each other and thus bill the user for the chargeable services the procedure is as follows: when setting up the connection to the service number, the telephone exchange (4), containing the intelligent network switching functions, informs the intelligent network Service Control Point (SCP) (14) of both the user's (1 or 2) A-number and the device location identification (C') of the telephone exchange (4) from which the connection has been setup to the router (6) entry point in the access node.