Abstract: A method of seizing Time Division Multiplex terminations at a media gateway controlled by a plurality of media gateway controllers. The method comprises receiving at the media gateway from one of said media gateway controllers, a gateway control protocol request to seize a TDM termination, the request specifying a route but not a specific Time Division Multiplex termination (103). The specified route is mapped to a set of Time Division Multiplex terminations, and one termination from the set seized on behalf of the requesting media gateway controller (104). A gateway control protocol response is then sent from said media gateway to the requesting mobile switching center, the response identifying the seized termination (105).

Abstract: A method of detecting media plane faults within a communications network. The method comprises, following the establishment of a media plane connection between first and second end point nodes within the network, where the connection transits one or more intermediate nodes within the media plane, sending session test requests from the first end point towards the second end point across a supervision session established over the media plane, and sending session test acknowledgements from the second end point to the first end point, the session test acknowledgements identifying a first border of the supervision session. The method further comprises, in the event of a media plane fault, responding to the sending of a further session test request by returning a further session test acknowledgement identifying a second border of the supervision session. The media plane fault can be detected by comparing the first and second supervision session borders contained in session test acknowledgements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for setting up communication between a first and a second user equipment in a mobile radio communications system, wherein said first user equipment is attempting a multimedia call to said second user equipment. The method is characterized by the steps of: receiving a multimedia call request in a video gateway relating to said multimedia call; sending a voice call request from said video gateway towards said second user equipment in order to set up a voice connection between the video gateway and said second user equipment; setting up a multimedia connection between the video gateway and said first user equipment; and forwarding audio, received over said multimedia connection, onto said voice connection and forwarding audio, received over said voice connection, onto said multimedia connection.

Abstract: A method of detecting media plane faults within a communications network. The method comprises, following the establishment of a media plane connection between first and second end point nodes within the network, where the connection transits one or more intermediate nodes within the media plane, sending session test requests from the first end point towards the second end point across a supervision session established over the media plane, and sending session test acknowledgements from the second end point to the first end point, the session test acknowledgements identifying a first border of the supervision session. The method further comprises, in the event of a media plane fault, responding to the sending of a further session test request by returning a further session test acknowledgement identifying a second border of the supervision session. The media plane fault can be detected by comparing the first and second supervision session borders contained in session test acknowledgements.

Abstract: A method of setting up and/or controlling a multimedia call involving an H.324 enabled user terminal and a circuit switched connection terminating at the user terminal and at a video gateway, the method comprising: sending DTMF control signals over the circuit switched connection within H.245 protocol control messages; and on the basis of said DTMF control signals, routing or re-routing the connection to an appropriate data source or mapping the connection to an appropriate data source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for setting up communication between a first and a second user equipment in a mobile radio communications system, wherein said first user equipment is attempting a multimedia call to said second user equipment. The method is characterized by the steps of: receiving a multimedia call request in a video gateway relating to said multimedia call; sending a voice call request from said video gateway towards said second user equipment in order to set up a voice connection between the video gateway and said second user equipment; setting up a multimedia connection between the video gateway and said first user equipment; and forwarding audio, received over said multimedia connection, onto said voice connection and forwarding audio, received over said voice connection, onto said multimedia connection.

Abstract: A method of seizing Time Division Multiplex terminations at a media gateway controlled by a plurality of media gateway controllers. The method comprises receiving at the media gateway from one of said media gateway controllers, a gateway control protocol request to seize a TDM termination, the request specifying a route but not a specific Time Division Multiplex termination (103). The specified route is mapped to a set of Time Division Multiplex terminations, and one termination from the set seized on behalf of the requesting media gateway controller (104). A gateway control protocol response is then sent from said media gateway to the requesting mobile switching centre, the response identifying the seized termination (105).

Abstract: New services and/or new subscribers are efficiently and flexibly defined and added to a mobile communications network using service groups and service group identifiers. One or more groups of mobile subscribers are defined, and a group identifier is assigned to each member of the group. One or more services are established for the group of mobile subscribers and are associated with the group identifier. In particular, the group identifier links each member of the group with the established services. Using this service group approach, existing mobile communications system nodes are readily updated with new service and subscriber information. Likewise, subscriber service information may be easily restored to corrupted mobile databases. Advantageously, the signaling and time required to perform location update procedures as mobile units move between different location areas in a mobile communications system are considerably reduced.

Abstract: A Short Message Service (SMS) communication network is interfaced with an Intelligent Network. In response to an indication from a mobile subscriber to transmit unstructured data towards a particular B-number, a serving mobile switching center/visitor location register (MSC/VLR) determines whether the calling party subscriber or called party subscriber is associated with an IN service. In response to an affirmative determination, instead of transmitting the received unstructured data directly to a Short Message Service-Center (SMS-C), the serving MSC/VLR routes an Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) signal encapsulating the unstructured data to the associated Intelligent Network. An associated Service Switching Point (SCP) and Service Control Point (SSP) then provide the desired IN service to the received unstructured data.