Abstract: Mobile terminals are operated in a mobile telecommunications system such as GSM routing data messages such as SMS messages to a destination address via a selected of plural routing centers. A terminal receives user generated data defining an outgoing message and generates a first data field containing a first routing center address, a second data field containing the destination address, and a third data field containing the user generated data. The terminal traps the outgoing message and compares the first routing center address and a second routing center address, determined by a system administrator, stored in a memory the user cannot write-access. If the addresses differ, the first routing center address is replaced by the second routing center address in the data field and the outgoing message is routed via a second routing center with the second routing center address. The administrator thereby controls message routing.

Abstract: Mobile terminals are operated in a mobile telecommunications system such as GSM routing data messages such as SMS messages to a destination address via a selected of plural routing centers. A terminal receives user generated data defining an outgoing message and generates a first data field containing a first routing center address, a second data field containing the destination address, and a third data field containing the user generated data. The terminal traps the outgoing message and compares the first routing center address and a second routing center address, determined by a system administrator, stored in a memory the user cannot write-access. If the addresses differ, the first routing center address is replaced by the second routing center address in the data field and the outgoing message is routed via a second routing center with the second routing center address. The administrator thereby controls message routing.

Abstract: A communications device such as a mobile telephone (1) responds to the input of a dialed number for a call destination (2) by generating and outputting a request message transmitted to a control centre (7) via a telecommunications system (3). The device receives a response message from the control centre containing routing data and credit data representing remaining credit within an account limit of the subscriber. An outgoing communications session is then initiated using the routing data which may for example enable a dialed telephone number to be modified to achieve optimum routing to the call destination via one or more preferred networks. The device also includes a credit control application (83) for limiting the duration of the communication in accordance with the credit data. Mobile telephones may thereby be used with a prepayment subscription account even during roaming operation in which the mobile telephone registers with a network other than the subscriber's home network.

Abstract: A mobile telephone is provided with a look-up table enabling the mobile telephone to select preferred routes for connecting outgoing calls on the basis of predetermined codes which populate the look-up table. When operating in a cellular communications network a communications channel may thereby be selected from a plurality of available channels and ongoing transmission of an outgoing call may be routed via a further network selected in accordance with the route codes. The look-up table may be stored in a SIM card of the mobile telephone and may be updated via transmission of data from a remote control center via a cellular network or via a docking station to which the mobile telephone is releasably connectable. When the call is routed via a packet switching network, the routing code may include a string of network node addresses.

Abstract: Mobile terminals are operated in a mobile telecommunications system such as GSM routing data messages such as SMS messages to a destination address via a selected of plural routing centers. A terminal receives user generated data defining an outgoing message and generates a first data field containing a first routing center address, a second data field containing the destination address, and a third data field containing the user generated data. The terminal traps the outgoing message and compares the first routing center address and a second routing center address, determined by a system administrator, stored in a memory the user cannot write-access. If the addresses differ, the first routing center address is replaced by the second routing center address in the data field and the outgoing message is routed via a second routing center with the second routing center address. The administrator thereby controls message routing.

Abstract: A device for making telephone calls receives input data defining a call destination. The device generates a request message which is output to a control center, a response message then being received from the control center identifying a preferred route for routing the call to the call destination. The routing information is utilized by the device in initiating communication with the call destination. Typically the input data is a telephone number and the dialing means initiates communication using a modified telephone number which may include a prefix obtained from routing data contained in the response message. Response messages may be stored in a cache memory to reduce the need for request messages. The device may be a mobile telephone operating in a cellular telecommunications network or may be a landline device such as telephone or facsimile machine.

Abstract: A communications device such as a mobile telephone (1) responds to the input of a dialled number for a call destination (2) by generating and outputting a request message transmitted to a control centre (7) via a telecommunications system (3). The device receives a response message from the control centre containing routing data and credit data representing remaining credit within an account limit of the subscriber. An outgoing communications session is then initiated using the routing data which may for example enable a dialled telephone number to be modified to achieve optimum routing to the call destination via one or more preferred networks. The device also includes a credit control application (83) for limiting the duration of the communication in accordance with the credit data. Mobile telephones may thereby be used with a prepayment subscription account even during roaming operation in which the mobile telephone registers with a network other than the subscriber's home network.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile telecommunications apparatus in a telecommunications system where the apparatus includes means for making outgoing telephone calls via the system, means for receiving a user generated input defining a call destination and routing means for selecting a preferred route to the call destination via the system for an outgoing telephone call by referring to routing information stored in the apparatus. The method includes registering with a network of the system which is local to the current location of the apparatus, receiving network identification information from the local network, determining from the network identification information whether the stored routing information requires updating, and outputting a request message for receiving updating information for updating the stored routing information if the stored routing information is determined to require updating.

Abstract: A mobile telephone (1) in a cellular telecommunications system uses data stored in a SIM cards (10) select a network (4) for registration and to perform optimise call routing to a call destination. If data relevant to networks which are currently available is not stored, a request message is sent to a control centre (14) and updating information received in a response message. The subscriber identity data stored in a memory file (200) of the SIM can also be replaced to enable a preferred subscriber identifier to be used with the currently registered network, selection being made using a look-up table (201) updated when required using request and response messages. Greater control of the network selection and cost saving by avoiding roaming agreements are thereby achievable.

Abstract: A device for making telephone calls receives input data defining a call destination. The device generates a request message which is output to a control centre, a response message then being received from the control centre identifying a preferred route for routing the call to the call destination. The routing information is utilised by the device in initiating communication with the call destination. Typically the input data is a telephone number and the dialling means initiates communication using a modified telephone number which may include a prefix obtained from routing data contained in the response message. Response messages may be stored in a cache memory to reduce the need for request messages. The device may be a mobile telephone operating in a cellular telecommunications network or may be a landline device such as telephone or facsimile machine.

Abstract: In a domestic communication and entertainment system (1), a plurality of devices (2-10) are interconnected by a databus (11). A first one of the devices receives a demand for a task requiring a communication session with an entity external to the system and the device transmits to a routing device (12) connected to the databus a request message for routing information which defines a preferred route for initiating the communication session. The routing device accesses a lookup table to obtain the information and transmits a response message comprising the routing information to enable the device to initiate the communication session via a preferred route. The lookup table is updated by wireless transmission from a control center. The system is enable to make optimum use of multiple communication systems available in the domestic environment by reference to routing information which can be configured to take advantage of network usage and other factors such as cost and availability.