Abstract: Routing apparatus for a telecommunication system includes a telecommunications user apparatus arranged to generate a request for a telecommunications delivery service, to receive a plurality of telecommunications delivery service offers and to select one of them. The system also intends a plurality of telecommunication service supply apparatuses each arranged to receive one of the request to generate an offer signal specifying a proposed delivery service and to receive an acceptance signal indicating acceptance thereof and, on receipt thereof, to generate a service provision invitation. The system further provides a plurality of resource supplier apparatuses each representing a communications resource arranged to communicate with each of said service supply apparatuses.

Abstract: Routing apparatus for a telecommunication system comprising: a telecommunications user means arranged to generate a request for a telecommunications delivery service, to receive a plurality of telecommunications delivery service offers and to select one thereof; a plurality of telecommunication service supply means each arranged to receive a said request to generate an offer signal specifying a proposed delivery service; and to receive an acceptance signal indicating acceptance thereof and, on receipt thereof, to generate a service provision invitation; and a plurality of resource supplier means each representing a communications resource arranged to communicate with each of said service supply means, said resource supplier means being arranged to receive a said invitation to determine whether the telecommunications resource they represent would contribute to the provision of the corresponding service; and, if so, to signal this to the service supply means; the service supply means being arranged, on the basi