Abstract: To set up an inter-network connection, a local connection setup message is transmitted from a first local network through a transit network to a second local network. The receipt of the local setup message at an entry point to the transit network results in a transit setup message being transmitted in parallel with the local setup message through the transit network. The transit setup message initiates the setup of a transit network connection through which the inter-network connection transits the transit network. To synchronize establishing the connections, the local setup message is delayed at an exit point of the transit network before being forwarded through the second local network to set up the inter-network connection. The local setup message is delayed at least until the transit setup message is received at the exit point so that the transit network connection is established before it is needed for the inter-network connection.