Abstract: A plurality of telecommunication traffic providers are connected to supply information about the current utilization of their networks to a dedicated network element to which is also connected a plurality of potential buyers of traffic capacity. The dedicated network element includes local and wide area data networks over which information about the existence of available network capacity among the providers is communicated to an administration center. The administration center makes that information available via the data network to the participating potential buyers and, thereafter, brokers the sale of the available telecommunication capacity from providers to buyers. It also monitors and assures that the buyers receive the benefit of their purchased capacity and the terms under which their sales were made.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the traffic carrying capacity of a telecommunications network having a plurality of elements and a plurality of routes connecting those elements to one another. The controlled congestion in the network is controlled by identifying and limiting defective devices and routes with exaggerated levels of congestion. Disturbance alarm levels are also adjusted to allow increased traffic through the network and the traffic within the network is reconfigured in real time in response to the occurrence of network events to optimize traffic capacity.