Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing terminating services to calls is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a service broker in a VoIP network determines service match information corresponding to the call that originates in a PSTN network in order to determine whether terminating services are required for the call. The service broker then forwards that service match information to an application server where the required terminating services, if any, are applied to the call. The application server then forwards the call and the results of any applied terminating services to a CCE in order to continue call set up. In a second embodiment the call originates in an IP network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a network element to use network resources efficiently by tracking the availability of other network elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method utilizes one or more SIP method OPTIONS messages to determine the availability of a target network element.

Abstract: Upon detection of an overload condition at a network element, the network element sends two messages to those other network elements which may potentially send request messages to the overloaded network element. If the network utilizes the SIP signaling protocol, then the messages sent by an overloaded network element are SIP INVITE and SIP CANCEL. The CANCEL message comprises an indication that the sending network element is unavailable and an amount of time which the recipient network elements are to wait before sending any requests to the overloaded network node. Upon receipt of these messages, the receiving network elements wait for a delay time period before sending any additional request messages to the overloaded network element. During the waiting period, the waiting network elements may send request messages to network elements other than the overloaded network element which provide functionality similar to that of the overloaded network element.

Abstract: A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request message and a SIP response message which are each adapted for communication between a plurality of network elements located on a multi-media services provider system for processing requests for multi-media services. The SIP request message includes a header region and a body region. The body region of the SIP request message can include a number of information parameters, such as, a border element identifier, a charge number parameter, a local address and transport area, a carrier, a calling party number, a charge party station type and a collected address. The SIP response message also includes a header portion and a body portion. The body portion of the SIP response message includes a number of service specific information parameters, such as a collected address, primary and alternate routing addresses, an alternate routing condition, manipulated digits and recording instructions.