Abstract: The invention relates to an application server and a method. The application server comprises a resolver which reserves a subscriber number prefix for test target applications. The resolver associates an address of an application server with the prefix in a memory and resolves subscriber numbers containing the prefix into the address using the memory. A network element simulator listens to a port, which has a port number which is also used in communicating with the network element being simulated. A test target application communicates with the simulator instead of the network element being simulated via a protocol stack in the application server. An application layer binding is used to route incoming messages to the test target application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling communication. An apparatus, for example, a routing logic component may receive user control settings relating to a user may receive application control settings relating to an application; and may receive operator control settings relating to an operator. Communications between a device of said user and said application and between said application and said operator based on one or more of said user control settings, said application control settings and said operator control settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for maintaining the privacy of a user and/or user's mobile device when communicating with an application. Communications between a mobile device of a user and an application are controlled wherein the mobile device is identified by a first identifier for communications between a gateway and the mobile device and the mobile device is identified by a second identifier for communications between the gateway and the application. The methods and apparatus translate between the first identifier and the second identifier, and determine whether the communications between the mobile device and the application are enabled or disabled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for enabling location data for a user to be included in communication messages from the user. A communication message is received from a mobile device of the user wherein the communication message is addressed to or intended for a location based service. A request message is transmitted for a location data of the mobile device to a mobile operator of the user. A response message is received from the mobile operator wherein the response message includes the location data for the mobile device. The communication message is processed to include the received location data for the mobile device and the processed communication message is transmitted to the location based service.