Abstract: A technique for providing circuit-switched call services for a call stretching between a packet-switched domain and circuit-switched domain is provided. A possible server implementation of this technique includes a first interface adapted to receive packet-switched protocol messages requesting circuit-switched call services, a service component providing the requested call services, and a second interface adapted to pass call control towards the circuit-switched domain after the call services have been provided.

Abstract: A technique for providing circuit-switched cal services for a call stretching between a packet-switched domain and circuit-switched domain is provided. A possible server implementation of this technique includes a first interface adapted to receive packet-switched protocol messages requesting circuit-switched call services, a service component providing the requested call services, and a second interface adapted to pass call control towards the circuit-switched domain after the call services have been provided.

Abstract: A charging method is provided for a communications service in a cellular communications system, especially for a prepaid communications service. A prepaid service processing node (PSPN) processes a communications service. A prepayment support node information (PI) is received from a subscriber profile database (SPD). A prepayment support node address (PA) is determined from the prepayment support node information (PI). The determined prepayment support node address (PA) is stored. A request for the communications service to be charged on a subscriber's prepayment account is detected, and a credit information request is sent to a prepayment support node (PPSC) identified by the stored prepayment support node address (PA). A credit information is received, and the requested communications service is processed according to the credit information. The invention provides a device for said charging as well.

Abstract: A communication apparatus running a protocol stack implementation for interworking between a signaling source node and a signaling target node provides improved support for introducing server pools in packet networks and for achieving transparency for applications. A first protocol implementation unit (SCTP) runs a signaling control layer on top of a packet transfer network (IP) for exchanging signaling messages via one or more signaling associations. A second protocol implementation unit (SUA, M3UA) runs a user adaptation layer on top of the signaling control layer SCTP for supporting signaling connection control services (RANAP) used by the signaling source node. A name mapping unit receives a signaling target node name from the signaling source node and maps the name into a peer signaling association.

Abstract: The invention provides a charging method for a communications service in a cellular communications system, especially for a prepaid communications service. A prepaid service processing node (PSPN) processes a communications service. A prepayment support node information (PI) is received from a subscriber profile database (SPD). A prepayment support node address (PA) is determined from the prepayment support node information (PI). The determined prepayment support node address (PA) is stored. A request for the communications service to be charged on a subscriber's prepayment account is detected, and a credit information request is sent to a prepayment support node (PPSC) identified by the stored prepayment support node address (PA). A credit information is received, and the requested communications service is processed according to the credit information. The invention provides a device for said charging as well.

Abstract: A charging method is provided for a communications service in a cellular communications system, especially for a prepaid communications service. A prepaid service processing node (PSPN) processes a communications service. A prepayment support node information (PI) is received from a subscriber profile database (SPD). A prepayment support node address (PA) is determined from the prepayment support node information (PI). The determined prepayment support node address (PA) is stored. A request for the communications service to be charged on a subscriber's prepayment account is detected, and a credit information request is sent to a prepayment support node (PPSC) identified by the stored prepayment support node address (PA). A credit information is received, and the requested communications service is processed according to the credit information. The invention provides a device for said charging as well.

Abstract: The invention provides a charging method for a communications service in a cellular communications system, especially for a prepaid communications service. A prepaid service processing node (PSPN) processes a communications service. A prepayment support node information (PI) is received from a subscriber profile database (SPD). A prepayment support node address (PA) is determined from the prepayment support node information (PI). The determined prepayment support node address (PA) is stored. A request for the communications service to be charged on a subscriber's prepayment account is detected, and a credit information request is sent to a prepayment support node (PPSC) identified by the stored prepayment support node address (PA). A credit information is received, and the requested communications service is processed according to the credit information. The invention provides a device for said charging as well.

Abstract: A gateway (MG1) interconnects telecom networks (N1,N2) of different types with different signal formats (ATM,IP). A first control unit (CC1), connected (C1) to a server, controls connection set up. A second control unit (RC2) provides telecom functions (F21-F28), such as speech coder/decoder or echo extinguisher, to the connection. A third control unit (BC3) establishes connections and sets up switch functions (CP21-CP27) corresponding to the different signal formats (ATM,IP). A signal format converter (CP29) converts to/from a common signal format (COM1) that the telecom functions uses. A speech request goes via the server to the first control unit (CC1), which requests telecom function (F21) by the second control unit (RC2). This returns the address (ADR11) of the telecom function to the first control unit (CC1) which sends the function address (ADR11) and the network address (ADR2) of the connection to the third control unit (BC3).

Abstract: To achieve an improved support for introduction of server pools in packet networks and further to achieve transparency for applications, the present invention provides a communication apparatus running a protocol stack implementation for interworking between a signaling source node and a signaling target node. The communication apparatus comprises a first protocol implementation unit (SCTP) adapted to run a signaling control layer on top of a packet transfer network (IP) for exchange of signaling messages via at least one signaling association. Further, the communication apparatus comprises a second protocol implementation unit (SUA, M3UA) adapted to run a user adaptation layer on top of the signaling control layer (SCTP) for support of signaling connection control services (RANAP) used by the signaling source node, A name mapping unit is adapted to receive a signaling target node name from the signaling source node and to map the signaling target node name into a peer signaling association.