Abstract: The present invention is related to a transit trunk subnetwork system which is configured to expand the existing capacity for bearer traffic in telephone networks. The invention incorporates an asynchronous transfer mode subnetwork which is interfaced directly with existing local exchange end offices, access tandems, or combinations thereof. A signal controller is utilized to direct signal messaging across the asynchronous transfer mode subnetwork to set up the movement of bearer traffic across the subnetwork. A network manager is also utilized to control bandwidth availability at the interfaces with the asynchronous transfer mode subnetwork.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for completing inter-switch calls using a single large trunk group connected to ATM facilities. In a first embodiment, all non-featured inter-switch calls are routed to the ATM facilities over the single large trunk groups. In a second embodiment, all inter-switch calls are routed to the ATM facilities over the single large trunk group. A call manager associated with the signaling network and the ATM facilities controls call routing. The advantage is a significant simplification in the translation and routing tables at the switches in the telephone network, resulting in significant savings related to the maintenance of a plurality of trunks groups at each switch.