Abstract: A "load based priority" telecommunications system and method which provides efficient use of Traffic Channels (TCHs), while both meeting the subscriber's needs and producing revenue for the cellular operator. "Load based priority" for the mobile subscribers consists of assigning a priority to the subscriber at the time of service activation. The subscriber can pay a low rate for lower priority subscriptions and a higher rate for higher priority subscriptions. The system continuously checks the traffic load on the TCH and broadcasts the current priority in the system information message to the mobile stations in the cell. For example, if the system broadcast message reads low priority, then all mobile subscribers will be able to make calls. However, if the system broadcast message reads high priority, then mobile subscribers who have purchased a lower priority subscription will not be able to make calls.

Abstract: A dialable directory number is assigned to a particular location area or cell area. A telecommunications user wanting to transmit user defined messages, such as a text message, to mobile stations within that location area or cell area transmits a signal encapsulating the message towards the assigned directory number. The transmitted signal is then routed through the conventional telecommunications network and delivered to the MSC providing mobile service to that particular location area or cell area. If the specified directory number is associated with a location area within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the serving MSC queries the attached visitor location register (VLR) to identify the mobile stations currently located within the specified location area. If the specified directory number is associated with a cell area, the serving MSC communicates with a base station controller (BSC) providing mobile service to that particular cell area.

Abstract: A method for enabling prioritized call connection between an originating caller and a terminating caller is disclosed. A requests from an originating caller to a mobile station for call connection includes a call priority identifier in order to expedite connection of the originating caller to the mobile station. The mobile station utilizes the same call priority identifier provided by the originating caller to prioritize its request for a response to the originating caller's page and the setup of the traffic channel between the originating caller and mobile station.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system and method for basing the voice coder selection for the speech channel on the current location of the subscriber. Subscribers having a voice coder of less quality, such as a half-rate voice coder, can specify that while making or receiving calls in certain locations, e.g., from home or from the office, an improved voice coder should be allocated, such as the enhanced full rate voice coder. The location based voice coder selection can be implemented in either the mobile station itself or within the cellular network.

Abstract: A channel resource utilization level associated with a particular cell area is continuously evaluated against a predefined threshold value. The imposed threshold value indicates the minimum level of channel resource utilization desired by the serving mobile telecommunications network. In response to a determination from the evaluation that a particular cell area is being under-utilized, a message indicating that a reduced air-time rate is being offered is broadcast to all mobile stations currently traveling within the affected cell area.

Abstract: A request for call forwarding activation along with forward-to-number is received from a mobile station via one of the data channels such as a Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH). The activation request itself is transported by an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) message. The serving mobile switching center (MSC) analyzes the forward-to-number and establishes a speech connection with the mobile station by calling back the mobile station. Next, the MSC originates an outgoing call towards the forward-to-number and, as a result, establishes a speech connection between the mobile station and the telephone terminal associated with the forward-to-number. By establishing a speech connection between the two parties, the mobile subscriber requesting the call forwarding activation can verbally verify the forward-to-number.

Abstract: A first mobile station within a particular service area is initially allocated with a full-rate traffic channel. When congestion occurs within the serving base station controller (BSC) and no traffic channel is available for further allocation, the full-rate traffic channel previously allocated to the first mobile station is divided into two half-rate channels. The first mobile station is thereafter re-allocated to one of the two half-rate channels by an intra-cell handover or mode modify procedure. The other half-rate traffic channel then becomes available to effectuate a new call connection with a second mobile station and increases the call capacity associated with the serving BSC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user to request location information from a mobile station telephone unit is disclosed. A user enters a request for location information concerning a particular type of business. The request is processed by a module within the mobile station and transmitted to the home location register for the mobile station via the base station and mobile switching center serving the mobile station. The home location register determines the location area and cell identity for the mobile station and transmits this information plus the original request to a relational database. The relational database determines the identity of businesses located either within or near the location area and/or cell identity of the mobile station. This information and the addresses of the identified business is transmitted back to the mobile station for review by the user.

Abstract: A broadcast message indicating the utilization level associated with Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCH) within a mobile telecommunications network serving a particular geographic area is transmitted over a broadcast channel. A plurality of mobile stations located within that particular geographic area monitoring the broadcast channel then receives the transmitted message. Thereafter, a mobile service request with a lower priority level than the indicated status level is queued by the associated mobile station and delayed until the channel utilization level rescinds to a network acceptable level.

Abstract: A call forwarding activation request is transmitted from a mobile station to the serving mobile switching center (MSC) over a data channel incapable of carrying voice data. However, mobile subscribers and mobile service providers would like to establish a speech connection between the mobile station and the forward-to-number to ensure that the forward-to-number has been dialed correctly and that desired parties are at the other end. Accordingly, whenever a call forwarding activation request is received by the mobile station, the mobile station itself initiates an outgoing call setup toward the forward-to-number. The connection-less signal encapsulating the activation request is transmitted to the serving MSC only after the successful completion of such call setup. After receiving the transmitted connection-less signal, the serving HLR alters the call forwarding feature status to active.