Abstract: A self-provisioning names database adds new names to a database for associating names to calling address data in a caller identification with name delivery service. A new caller's name is added to the database each time the new caller places a call to a service subscriber. The database reaches only a nominal size in accordance with Perado's rule that approximately 80% of incoming calls to a subscriber will be from the same small group of callers. Alternatively or in addition, a new party's name is added to the database each time a service subscriber places a call to a party whose name is not already in the names database. Caller names that have been stored in the database and not retrieved for a long period of time are discarded to store new names. Also, the database may periodically request updated data for a stored name, for example, to determine if a different telephone number or address has been assigned to the given name data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for alerting a person placing a telephone call when a dialed number subscribes to a Caller Identification Service. A long distance party is called direct using standard 1+ calling. The call is routed through a long distance carrier switching network which is coupled to a signaling network. The signaling network routes the caller's identification information together with the dialed number to the switches in the switching network. The switching network includes a subscription table for determining whether the dialed number subscribes to the aforesaid service. If the dialed number is a subscriber, the caller's identification information and the dialed number are routed from the switching network to a Customer Long Distance Adjunct. The adjunct transmits a message to the caller via the switching network informing the caller that the dialed number is a subscriber.