Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for offloading prepaid credit status queries from prepaid credit status databases for unlimited-plan prepaid in-network calls is provided. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method that includes intercepting, at a signaling message routing node, a prepaid status query associated with a call originated by a calling subscriber and directed to a called subscriber. The signaling node then determines whether the calling subscriber is associated with an unlimited calling plan, unlimited text messaging plan, unlimited multimedia messaging plan, or a combination of plans based on the intercepted prepaid status query. The node also determines whether the call is an in-network call based on the intercepted prepaid status query, where an in-network call includes a call between a calling subscriber and a called subscriber belonging to the same network.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for point code proxying. According to one method, a direct linkset interconnection between first and second signaling points is migrated to an interconnection including signaling message routing node. At the signaling message routing node, a point code of the second signaling point is proxied for link alignment with the first signaling point. Messages received from the first signaling point that are addressed to the point code of the second signaling point are routed to the second signaling point.

Abstract: A method for screening mobile application part (MAP) messages in a transit network is provided. Signaling messages are received from a first network. SCCP called party address information is extracted from each signaling message. If the called party address matches first SCCP screening criteria, it is determined whether the signaling message is a targeted MAP message type. If the signaling message is a targeted MAP message type, a screening action is performed. Different MAP screening criteria may be applied for different destination networks.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing prepaid account balance screening are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for performing prepaid account balance screening. The method includes receiving, at a network entity for processing network signaling messages, a signaling message containing information that identifies a prepaid subscriber, the message being sent from a message source and intended for a message destination. It is determined whether the prepaid subscriber's account balance satisfies a threshold requirement, using prepaid account balance screening data and the information in the signaling message that identifies the prepaid subscriber, where the prepaid account balance screening data is a subset of available prepaid subscriber account information stored in a prepaid subscriber database separate from the prepaid account balance screening data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic, distributed link table consistency management are disclosed. A method for dynamic, distributed link table consistency management includes requesting, from each link interface module that maintains a link table in a distributed routing system, a link table checksum from the other link interface modules in the system. The requesting link interface module computes a checksum for its local link table and compares the computed checksum to the received checksums. In response to detecting a mismatch between the local checksum and one of the received link table checksums, the link interface module requests individual entry checksums from the link interface module with which a mismatch was detected. Inconsistencies between individual entries may be automatically corrected and/or reported to an operator.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively limiting access to signaling network nodes that share a point code are disclosed. According to one method, first and second destination nodes are provisioned to be identified by a common point code. Messages are routed to the first and second destination nodes respectively using first and second exception routes that are keyed by different combinations of parameters that include the common point code as a destination point code (DPC). At least one default route is provided to the first and second destination nodes. Failure of at least one of the first exception route and the first destination node is detected. In response to detecting the failure, fallback access to the second destination node via the at least one default route is restricted.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for offloading prepaid credit status queries from prepaid credit status databases for unlimited-plan prepaid in-network calls is provided. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method that includes intercepting, at a signaling message routing node, a prepaid status query associated with a call originated by a calling subscriber and directed to a called subscriber. The signaling node then determines whether the calling subscriber is associated with an unlimited calling plan, unlimited text messaging plan, unlimited multimedia messaging plan, or a combination of plans based on the intercepted prepaid status query. The node also determines whether the call is an in-network call based on the intercepted prepaid status query, where an in-network call includes a call between a calling subscriber and a called subscriber belonging to the same network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for integrating roaming control in a signaling message routing node are disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, a method for providing roaming control at a signaling message routing node is provided. The method includes receiving a signaling message at a signaling message routing node in a network of a home service provider of a mobile subscriber, the signaling message being generated in response to the mobile subscriber registering in a foreign carrier's network. It is determined whether the mobile subscriber is allowed, by the home service provider, to roam in the foreign carrier's network. In response to determining that mobile subscriber is not allowed to roam in the foreign carrier's network, a response to the signaling message is generated and sent, where the response indicates that mobile subscriber is not allowed to roam in a foreign carrier's network. The steps of the method are performed at a signaling message routing node.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively processing or redirecting SCCP messages. According to one method, an SCCP message addressed to an STP and sent route-on-PC-SSN is received at the STP. It is determined whether the SCCP message can be processed locally by the STP. In response to determining that the SCCP message can be processed locally by the STP, the SCCP message is terminated, processed locally, and a response is sent to the message originator. In response to determining that the message cannot be processed locally at the STP, the SCCP message is redirected to a destination.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating delivery of messaging service messages between domains of different type are disclosed. According to one method, a messaging service message including a messaging service address parameter storing a first address value is received. It is determined whether the messaging service message is being sent from a domain of the first domain type to a second domain of the second domain type, where the first domain type is different from the second domain type. It is also determined whether the message is of a type used to communicate an MS delivery address at which a mobile station can receive MS messages.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing messages at a first network node in a mobile communications network are disclosed. A first message relating to a communication in a mobile communications network that includes a called directory number is received. A lookup is performed in a first database based on the called directory number to determine whether a called party has been ported out of a first network and to determine a migration status of the called party. In response to determining that the called party has been ported out of the first network, a first reply message is formulated including first routing information from the first database that indicates a second network to which the called party has been ported. If the called party has not been ported out, a second reply message is formulated including second routing information from the first database that corresponds to the determined migration status.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for preserving sequencing of signaling messages at a routing node are disclosed. First and second signaling messages are received at a routing node of a communications network. The first signaling message is received prior to the second signaling message. Next, it is determined whether processing is required for the first signaling message. In response to determining that processing is required for the first signaling message, first and second sequence identifiers are assigned to the first and second signaling messages, respectively, the first and second sequence identifiers indicating a relative sequence four routing the first and second signaling messages. Next, the first and second signaling messages are routed to the communications network based on the relative sequence indicated by first and second sequence identifiers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing messages at a first network node in a mobile communications network are disclosed. A first message relating to a communication in a mobile communications network that includes a called directory number is received. A lookup is performed in a first database based on the called directory number to determine whether a called party has been ported out of a first network and to determine a migration status of the called party. In response to determining that the called party has been ported out of the first network, a first reply message is formulated including first routing information from the first database that indicates a second network to which the called party has been ported. If the called party has not been ported out, a second reply message is formulated including second routing information from the first database that corresponds to the determined migration status.

Abstract: Methods and systems for load sharing and preserving sequencing of signaling connection control part (SCCP) messages are disclosed. According to one method, SCCP messages are received at an inbound interface module and assigned a sequence number. Each SCCP message is then transmitted using a load sharing algorithm to any one of a plurality of SCCP modules for SCCP processing. After the SCCP processing, the SCCP messages are returned to the inbound interface module and ordered based on the assigned sequence numbers the messages are then transmitted in order to an outbound interface module.

Abstract: A method for screening mobile application part (MAP) messages in a transit network is provided. Signaling messages are received from a first network. SCCP called party address information is extracted from each signaling message. If the called party address matches first SCCP screening criteria, it is determined whether the signaling message is a targeted MAP message type. If the signaling message is a targeted MAP message type, a screening action is performed. Different MAP screening criteria may be applied for different destination networks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing stateful signaling transactions in a distributed processing environment are disclosed. A method for performing stateful signaling transactions in a distributed processing environment includes receiving a signaling message at a routing node, such as a signal transfer point. The signaling message is distributed to one of the plurality of stateful processing modules. The receiving stateful processing module buffers the signaling message and initiates a stateful transaction based on the signaling message. Initiating the stateful transaction may include generating a query message and inserting a stateful processing module identifier in the query message. The query message is sent to an external node, such as an SCP, which formulates a response. The SCP may insert the stateful processing module in the response and send the response back to the signal transfer point.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic, distributed link table consistency management are disclosed. A method for dynamic, distributed link table consistency management includes requesting, from each link interface module that maintains a link table in a distributed routing system, a link table checksum from the other link interface modules in the system. The requesting link interface module computes a checksum for its local link table and compares the computed checksum to the received checksums. In response to detecting a mismatch between the local checksum and one of the received link table checksums, the link interface module requests individual entry checksums from the link interface module with which a mismatch was detected. Inconsistencies between individual entries may be automatically corrected and/or reported to an operator.