Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a non-presubscription subaccount billing service utilized by customers on a "per call" or "as needed" basis. A calling customer initiates the service by dialing "0" plus the directory number of the called line. The local office serving the calling line recognizes the call as an operator-designated call and forwards the call along with the identification number of the calling line and the directory number of the called line to an operator system. The operator system prompts the calling line to enter additional call information. The calling customer enters a service activation code such as "15" and a two-digit subaccount billing number assigned by the customer. Receiving the service activation code and the subaccount billing number, the operator system activates the service by setting a subaccount billing indicator in an automatic message accounting record and extends the call to the called line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting up a digital broadcast call from a transmitting station to a group of receiving stations over a public switched network. A time slot interchange unit (TSIU) is used to replicate a signal, received from a transmitting station at an input port of the TSIU, to a group of output ports of the TSIU for transmission to a group of receiving stations. A data base, shared by a group of switching systems of the public switched network, includes data, activated during a preselected period of time, to translate each of two preselected numbers to one of two corresponding internal routing numbers of the switched network for accessing the input port and output ports of the TSIU, respectively.