Abstract: New use of the existing PSTN for capturing data to charge enhanced service provider (ESP) fees on phone bills of numbers terminating calls originated by dialing seven digit 555 numbers. The local exchange performs the digit analysis and translation before routing the call to an ESP. The Local Exchange Carrier translates a caller-dialed 7-digit 555 number into a ten-digit phantom number and then passes the call to the appropriate carrier assigned the ten-digit routing plan. The translation function is performed as a look-up in an appropriate database such as the Service Management System (SMS). Heretofore, the SMS was used for ten-digit 800-number translation and was not available to ESP. This novel use of PSTN facilities enables the system to provide caller dialed number and billing information on a real-time basis (during call processing). It is based on signaling the billing and caller dialed number information in the voice channel (In-Band Signaling) during the setup of calls to connecting carriers.

Abstract: A new method of charging enhanced service provider (ESP) fees on phone bills of telephone numbers originating seven digit 555 number calls within the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The Local Exchange Carrier routes the call to the PSTN which translates a dialed 7-digit 555 number into a ten-digit phantom routing number and then passes the call to the carrier assigned the ten-digit routing plan. Translation is performed as a look-up in a database, i.e., the Service Management System (SMS). The SMS is used for 800-number translation and was not heretofore available to ESPs. This novel use of PSTN facilities enables the system to provide caller dialed number and billing information on a real-time basis (during call processing). It signals the billing and caller dialed number information in the voice channel (In-Band) during setup of calls to connecting carriers.