Abstract: An apparatus is provided for managing call billing records of communications network users. The apparatus includes a communications network, a gateway, a communications link, and a network processor. The communications network is operative to carry user calls. The gateway communicates with the network and is operative to collect call billing data from the network in a first data structure format. The communication link is coupled to the gateway. The network processor communicates with the gateway via the communication link. The network processor is operative to receive the collected call billing data in the first data structure format and convert the collected call billing data from the first data structure format to a second data structure format. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing selective trunk group member termination service in a network of telecommunications switches. Each trunk group at a terminating switch that requires selective trunk member termination is identified by a terminating member trunk group parameter. A data access point (DAP) that is accessible by the switches of the network to provide call routing and number translation services identifies a set of trunk group members selected for selective trunk group member termination by means of a trunk group member range parameter. When a call is received at an originating switch of the network, the originating switch queries the DAP and the DAP returns call routing information. If the call requires selective trunk member termination, the call routing information includes the trunk group member range parameter.

Abstract: Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.

Abstract: A system and method for providing overflow on demand in a telecommunications network. The network includes at least one originating call location, at least one terminating call location that subscribes to an overflow on demand service, a data access point (DAP), and at least one switch. When a caller at the originating call location places a call to a chosen call terminating location, the call is routed to that location via the switch under DAP control. Under certain circumstances, the caller can cause overflow processing to occur by merely pressing the "*" key, on a telephone keypad. Overflow processing typically includes routing the call to an overflow call terminating location specified in the call processing plan for the chosen location.

Abstract: A flexible service access code (FLEX SAC) permits originating callers to dial up to a fifteen-digit extension in place of a traditional service access code (SAC), such as for example a "700", "800", and "900" extension followed by a seven-digit extension. In addition to providing the originating caller, the destination caller, and the long distance carrier greater flexibility in the digits dialed for a SAC call, FLEX SAC permits routing on private trunks and remote access trunks, as well as the shared access trunks conventionally used for SAC calls. If the switch supports FLEX SAC calls, a FLEX SAC table (pertaining to the originating trunk group over which the call was routed) is parsed to find the called number. If the called number is found in the FLEX SAC table, additional fields indicating ANI screening, OLI screening, external routing, and the transaction group are parsed in the relevant FLEX SAC table.