Abstract: A system (1) allows a client (3) to enquire about the current network status of a user terminal (5), and it allows a client to register the fact that the client is waiting for a network status change notification for a particular user terminal (5). It interfaces with a number of the external network status providers (4) according to a schedule, which it automatically generates, and combines the information from these providers into a single network status message returned to the requesting client (3). The system (1) allows the client (3) to specify the set of criteria that a network status response should adhere to. It also allows the client (3) to specify the set of network status attributes that should be returned by the system (1) in the network status response.

Abstract: A message interworking gateway (1) resides in an overlay IMS network (2) associated with a home SS7 network (10). The gateway (1) intercepts requests for routing information (MAP-SRIs) from either the home SMSC (11) or a foreign SMSC. If the message recipient is available on the IMS overlay network (2) the gateway (1) performs protocol translation AND routes the translated message to the recipient. If not, the gateway returns the SRI to the home (10) network. The gateway operates without updating the home HLR (12) with user presence data and hence voice traffic can be kept on circuit switched technology without being routed to the IMS overlay network (2).