Abstract: A method for providing softswitch failure protection in a communication network is provided that includes assigning an alias point code to a first softswitch. The alias point code is also assigned to a second softswitch. A message is generated that comprises a destination point code that is operable to identify a destination for the message. The destination point code comprises the alias point code.

Abstract: A method for providing softswitch failure protection in a communication network is provided that includes assigning an alias point code to a first softswitch. The alias point code is also assigned to a second softswitch. A message is generated that comprises a destination point code that is operable to identify a destination for the message. The destination point code comprises the alias point code.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (1) includes a signal transfer point (10) that receives an initial address message from a service switching point (12). The signal transfer point (10) determines whether a Forward Call Identifier (FCI) “m” bit has been set indicating that a local number portability (LNP) query has been performed. If the FCI “m” bit has been set, then the signal transfer point (10) performs normal call processing. If the FCI “m” bit is not set, the signal transfer point (10) will set the FCI “m” bit to one prior to performing normal processing if a database interrogation is not activated. If database interrogation is activated, the signal transfer point (10) interrogates a LNP database 24 to determine whether the dialed subscriber has been ported and/or resides in a receiving network.

Abstract: A system and method for effectuating selective triggerless local number portability (TLNP) processing in a telecommunications network having a cellular network portion and a wireline network portion. When an IAM message is received at a signaling node from an MSC on a TLNP-enabled link set, a determination is made at an STP associated therewith whether the NPA-NXX of the received dialed number is marked as portable. If not, the TLNP processing is discontinued and the message as originally received is forwarded to the wireline network portion for further processing. Otherwise, another determination is made if the dialed number is a ported number. If it is determined that the dialed number is not a ported number, the IAM message is marked as dipped and forwarded to the wireline network portion based on the Destination Point Code (DPC) associated with the message.

Abstract: A method of providing local number portability capability includes the steps of capturing all initial address message transmitted on at least one predetermined SS7 link set to a signal transfer point, where each initial address message has a called party number parameter containing a dialed telephone number. A determination is made as to whether a predetermined FCI bit is set to one or zero and in response to the predetermined FCI bit being set to zero, the following steps are performed. A local number portability database lookup is done using the dialed telephone number to obtain a corresponding local routing number. The local routing number is then inserted into the called party number parameter of the initial address message, and the dialed telephone number is inserted into a generic address parameter of the initial address message. The predetermined FCI bit is then set to one. The initial address message is then sent to a destination specified by the called party number parameter.

Abstract: A method (100) for preventing message looping in a telecommunications network (70) includes the steps of receiving a UDT/S query message, determining a next destination for processing the query message and a route for delivering the query message to the next destination (102). A determination is then made as to whether the route to the next destination is XUDT/S capable (104). The UDT/S query message is converted to an XUDT/S format by inserting a hop counter (38) therein if the route is XUDT/S capable (108). The query message is then delivered to the next destination via the route (110). The hop counter (38) in the query message is then decremented at the next destination in response to receiving a message of the XUDT/S format (112). A message loop error is recognized and processed when the hop counter (38) reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of routing a call includes receiving a number of dialed digits entered by a caller, the dialed digits including a called party number, recognizing the called party number as a subscriber to a fully flexible routing service, obtaining a call plan having at least one predetermined routing feature for the subscriber, process the call according to the at least one predetermined routing feature in the call plan, determining a destination number according to the at least one routing features in the call plan, and routing the call to the destination number.

Abstract: A universal personal telecommunications service includes the steps of receiving, at a home service switching point, a telephone number entered by a caller, sending a query to the service control point coupled to the service switching point, which verifies the received telephone number as a personal telecommunications number assigned to a service subscriber. The telephone number is then translated by the service control point to a current destination number by consulting routing data indicative of a current location of the service subscriber, the routing data including follow-me diversion data and time dependent routing data. The call is then completed to the current destination number of the service subscriber.

Abstract: A method (100) for preventing message looping in a telecommunications network (70) includes the steps of receiving a UDT/S query message, determining a next destination for processing the query message and a route for delivering the query message to the next destination (102). A determination is then made as to whether the route to the next destination is XUDT/S capable (104). The UDT/S query message is converted to an XUDT/S format by inserting a hop counter (38) therein if the route is XUDT/S capable (108). The query message is then delivered to the next destination via the route (110). The hop counter (38) in the query message is then decremented at the next destination in response to receiving a message of the XUDT/S format (112). A message loop error is recognized and processed when the hop counter (38) reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method (100, 700, 800) for detecting and eliminating circular routed messages in a telecommunications network includes the steps of receiving a message, and determining a derived destination point code for the received message (102). The derived destination point code is then compared with an originating point code in the message (108). A circular routed message is detected if the derived destination point code is the same as the originating point code. This comparison may be disabled and instead the routing information for routing the message indicated by the derived destination code may be compared with the originating point code (706). Alternatively, the network identifiers indicated by the derived destination point code and the originating point code are compared (806).