Abstract: A method of assigning responsibility for playing tones and announcements to a network element in a multimedia communications network is provided. The method includes receiving a call from a caller to a subscriber at a first network element, as part of the call a tone or an announcement needs to be played to the subscriber; determining whether a second network element is able to play the tone or announcement; playing the tone or announcement through the second network element, if the second network element is able to play the tone or announcement; attempting to locate a third network element that is able to play the tone or announcement, if the second network element is not able to meet the request; and playing the tone or announcement through the third network element, if the third network element is located.

Abstract: To address the need for new techniques that can enable network traffic to be managed more effectively, various embodiments are provided. In general, communication network equipment receives (110, 210) a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request from an originator for routing to a destination. The network equipment then determines (120, 220) whether a traffic management condition is satisfied by the SIP request based on one or more prior SIP requests that satisfy a matching condition with the SIP request. When (130, 230) this traffic management condition is satisfied, the network equipment forwards the SIP request. Otherwise, it responds to indicate that the SIP request is blocked.

Abstract: Media gateways operate under the control of an intelligent node or switch associated with a wiretap party and are configured on a per call basis to establish multicasting communication links to law enforcement authorities while simultaneously supporting the end-to-end telephony services elected by the calling and/or called party. The multicasting communication links supply law enforcement authorities with communications generated by the calling party and the terminating party.

Abstract: Media gateways operate under the control of an intelligent node or switch associated with a wiretap party and are configured on a per call basis to establish multicasting communication links to law enforcement authorities while simultaneously supporting the end-to-end telephony services elected by the calling and/or called party. The multicasting communication links supply law enforcement authorities with communications generated by the calling party and the terminating party.