Abstract: A message delivery network may receive a message from a sending message service provider. The message delivery network may identify an end user carrier servicing the end user device for the message. The message delivery network may retrieve a pre-determined rank ordered list of message routes from the message delivery network to the end user carrier. The message delivery network may determine whether each message route is currently unavailable or demonstrating poor deliverability. The message delivery network may de-prioritize the message routes that are demonstrating poor deliverability. The message delivery network may update the rank ordered list of message routes based on the de-prioritized message routes. The message delivery network may attach the updated rank ordered list of message routes to the message. The message delivery network may forward the message to a gateway within the message delivery network. The gateway may deliver the message using the highest ranked message route.

Abstract: A packet-based communication system comprises first and second endpoints, an application manager and a policy server. When establishing a connection between the endpoints the application manager sends, to the policy server, application control related information about the required connection. The policy server then selects at least one application control parameter, such as a codec to be used by the endpoints, and returns this information to the application manager. The application control information can be carried between the application manager and policy server by an application control protocol, such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), or by modified forms of policy control protocols such as the Common Open Policy Service (COPS), Diameter, SOAP/XML or Parlay.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention facilitates efficient metering in a packet network environment by providing a single metering message, which contains sufficient information to provide the complete call tariff model for a particular call. The media gateway receiving the message can analyze the information provided in the message to determine how to provide metering pulses for all phases of the call, as well as any one-time charges, such as setup and add-on charges. Another embodiment of the invention provides a way for handling fractional pulse counts in an efficient manner. Yet another embodiment facilitates the handling of situations where charge intervals do not divide evenly into the phase duration of the phase associated with the call. In still another embodiment, the amount of information necessary to deliver the parameters of the call tariff model is minimized to reduce the overhead necessary for facilitating the metering process.

Abstract: A method for processing calls in a packet network using peer call servers includes receiving a setup message from a first gateway in the packet network. The setup message includes a first address for a called endpoint. The call server that receives the setup message translates the message into a call server ID and an endpoint ID specifying the remote call server corresponding to the called party. The call server sends the call server ID and the endpoint ID to the remote call server. The remote call server obtains a call signaling transport address to the called end user based in the endpoint ID.