Abstract: System and method for implementing call waiting functions over a network architecture which includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the Internet. The call waiting system allows a user to receive incoming call information from a third party without interrupting an active connection with a second party, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP). When the user attempts to connect to the ISP, a call waiting service is activated at a service control point connected to the PSTN and the user is notified about any incoming call attempts made after the user establishes a successful connection with the second party. The call waiting system indicates the number of, and provides information about incoming call attempts to the user. Meanwhile, the third party caller has the option of leaving a voice mail message for the user. If the user is actively connected to the Internet, a call waiting Internet server can be used to provide the incoming call information to the user's computer terminal.

Abstract: To support local number portability and service portability in a telephone network, a method and apparatus handle subscription and administrative service requests in a local service management system to maintain records at a service control point. The subscription requests include create, modify, and delete requests of records in the service control point. The administrative service requests include Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code split, mass change, and query and resend requests. The records at the service control point are accessible by switches via respective signal transfer points to determine the network addresses of the switches handling services and calls corresponding to a particular telephone number.