Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for establishing the flexible connections required to serve collaborative Telestar service requests. Telestar refers to services frequently described as being Tele* services such as teleeducation, teleconsultation and telemedicine. A customer node, such as a doctor's office, is connected via a high speed link to a switch which in turn is connected to a broadband network for interconnecting high speed links. The broadband network is connected to a Telestar service provider node. The customer signals requests for connections within the Telestar service provider nodes. These requests are processed by a Tele* service controller to generate request messages to the source and destination nodes to establish a requested connection. Advantageously, the highly flexible arrangements needed for providing optimum Telestar service can be readily controlled by a calling customer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a priority call to a wireless border switch. A priority or preemption request is transmitted as part of the signaling messages used to set up a call. A border switch is a switch which is used in conjunction with the switch indicated by the last-seen pointer from an HLR entry for the called terminal to page a called station. The switch indicated by the last-seen pointer transmits the priority request to a border switch, to indicate that the call should be given priority treatment. Further, preemption service for calls terminating on a wireless station can be provided.

Abstract: An improved method and system are disclosed for processing prioritized wireless calls. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method of providing prioritized wireless services, comprising the steps of: receiving a request for prioritized wireless service from a mobile device; determining the availability of a radio channel without obtaining the priority of the request; and if no radio channel is available, assigning a priority to the request and queuing the request according to the assigned priority.