Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing data in association with an operation performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting data related to at least one piece of existing telecommunications equipment being used in connection with the special service at the customer service location; communicating at least one alternative candidate for the existing telecommunications equipment through at least one graphical user interface to the technician at the customer service location; and, generating change data including at least one new candidate selected from a group of the alternative candidates for replacement of the existing telecommunications equipment at the customer service location. Computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods are also provided.

Abstract: A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber's landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring status information associated with telephone lines. Proactive maintenance is predicted using upon the status information. Work orders describing the predicted proactive maintenance may be generated and dispatched. Another embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one customer information associated with copper line pairs, service information associated with copper line pairs, and status information associated with telephone lines. The acquired information is stored in a database. The database is updated with the status information associated with telephone lines. Proactive maintenance is predicted using the stored information.

Abstract: A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber's landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.

Abstract: A predicted offered digital load, a predicted offered analog load, and an analog blocking factor are received to support a determination of the optimal number of analog and digital radios in a dual-mode wireless network. The number of analog radio channels necessary to support the offered analog load at the analog blocking factor is computed. The excess capacity of the needed analog radio channels is determined and a digital blocking factor based upon the excess analog capacity is calculated. The digital blocking factor may then be compared to minimum and maximum overflow values to ensure that the digital blocking factor is neither too high nor too low. The number of needed digital radio channels necessary to support the predicted offered digital load at the digital blocking factor is then calculated. Based upon the needed number of analog and digital radio channels, the number of digital and analog radios necessary is then calculated.

Abstract: A method of limiting access to data of a cellular telephone. The method of limiting access may be accomplished by defining in the cellular telephone a subsidy lock code for use in activating the cellular telephone on the designated cellular network. The step of defining occurs before the cellular telephone is activated on a cellular network. The subsidy lock code is defined in manner that prevents the subsidy lock code from being erased using the keypad of the cellular telephone. When procedures are initiated by an entity for activating the cellular telephone on the cellular network, the entity must demonstrate knowledge of the subsidy lock code. Upon demonstration of knowledge of the subsidy lock code, the cellular telephone may be activated on the cellular network by the entity.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the voice signal received by a remote user in a time division multiple access (TDMA), cellular telephone system. In order to enhance the signal received by a remote user in a TDMA cellular telephone system, the base station transmits to the remote user in need of signal improvement additional signal enhancing data on one or more previously idle transmission resources. The method includes identifying the first remote user in need of signal enhancing data, identifying and selecting an idle transmission resource, identifying for the first remote user the selected transmission resource, generating additional signal enhancing data, and inserting the additional signal enhancing data into the selected transmission resource for transmission to the first remote user.

Abstract: A real-time telephone call monitoring, rating, and response system including real-time interfaces and switching centers that create and maintain in-process call detail records for on-going telephone calls. The real-time interfaces are accessed by a real-time monitoring unit in a billing system. The billing system maintains accounts and associated service profiles for subscribers. The billing system may also obtain temporary service profiles for roamers. For both subscribers and roamers, the billing system monitors the in-process call detail records in real time and instructs the switching centers to take certain actions, such as obtaining an alternate payment source, or disconnecting a communication, in response to financial considerations determined by the billing system. A prepaid telephone service card system, including a prepaid telephone service database located in the billing system, operates in connection with the real-time telephone call monitoring, rating, and response system.

Abstract: Setting a remote timepiece with the correct time using a time stamp transmitted over a data channel of a wireless telecommunications system. A data message is created which includes an address for the remote timepiece and a time stamp. The time stamp may include time and date information. The data message is transmitted over a data channel of the wireless telecommunications system. Based upon the address, the data message is received by the remote timepiece. The remote timepiece extracts the time stamp from the data message and uses the time stamp to set the remote timepiece in accordance with the time stamp.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having a plurality of buffer tubes. Within at least one of the buffer tubes is a plurality of main fibers. Within the cable outer sheath, the main fibers are factory-spliced with optical splitters at predetermined distances. Distribution fibers are factory-spliced to the outputs of the optical splitters. The distribution fibers reside within distribution buffer tubes, and are available for access at substantially any location along the length of the fiber optic cable. A certain number of the distribution fibers from a particular optical splitter extend in an upstream direction of the fiber cable, and the remaining distribution fibers from that optical splitter extend in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the operational status of a network element in an advanced intelligent network is provided. Custom telecommunications services, such as a call forwarding service, are processed by routing a call to a network element, such as a service circuit node, that processes the call and provides the custom telecommunications service. When the network element or application software resident at that network element fails, calls routed to that network element may be mishandled. The method and system of the present invention utilize advanced intelligent network services to monitor a desired network element prior to routing a call to that network element for custom telecommunications service. A heartbeat message is utilized between a monitored network element and a monitoring network element. The method and system reduce network element downtime by alerting maintenance personnel of network element or application software failure.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an end-user with Internet access and allocating a cost associated with that access among the end-user and Internet sites 18 accessed by the end-user. A supervisory program module 58, such as a "JAVA" applet, resides on an originating station 24, such as a personal computer, operated by the end-user. The supervisory program module 58 may be activated by transmitting the supervisory program module to the originating station 24 from an Internet point of presence 22 operated by a local access provider. Alternatively, a trigger may be transmitted from the point of presence 22 to the originating station 24 to activate a supervisory program module 58 already residing on the originating station 24. The supervisory program module 58 monitors the duration of connections with specific Internet sites, and transmits messages to the point of presence 22 indicating the duration of these connections.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telecommunication extension service to a subscriber with at least a first unit having a first number and a second unit having a second number. Upon receipt of a communication directed to the number associated with the one of the units, ringing is provided to both units. A party may answer either unit, or both units may be answered. If one unit is answered, then the other unit is provided with ringing for a predetermined number of rings or for a preselected amount of time. If the other unit is answered, then the communication is connected in a conference call to the other unit, whereby the communication is connected to both units. The conference call may be monitored for drop-out of one of the units. If one unit drops out, the other unit may remains connected. A disconnection feature allows a party who answers on a unit to provide an indication to discontinue ringing to the other unit, or to disconnect the other unit.