Abstract: In order to address the problem of allowing a GGSN of a UMTS core network to work towards multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs) co-located with P-CSCF nodes using the COPS protocol, a policy control function coordinator (PCF-C) is implemented between the GGSN and the P-CSCF. A single COPS connection is established between the GGSN and the PCF-C while a COPS connection is established between the PCF-C and each of the P-CSCF nodes. Decisions made at the PCFs are routed to the GGSN via the PCF-C, and responses generated at the GGSN are routed to the appropriate PCFs via the GGSN. This architecture avoids conflicts which might otherwise arise with the COPS protocol.

Abstract: In order to address the problem of allowing a GGSN of a UMTS core network to work towards multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs) co-located with P-CSCF nodes using the COPS protocol, a policy control function coordinator (PCF-C) is implemented between the GGSN and the P-CSCF. A single COPS connection is established between the GGSN and the PCF-C while a COPS connection is established between the PCF-C and each of the P-CSCF nodes. Decisions made at the PCFs are routed to the GGSN via the PCF-C, and responses generated at the GGSN are routed to the appropriate PCFs via the GGSN. This architecture avoids conflicts which might otherwise arise with the COPS protocol.

Abstract: In a method for the control of a connection in a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes (MSC, TSN, MG), a connection (CO) is established stepwise between nodes (MSC, TSN, MG). At least two of the nodes (MSC, TSN, MG) are adapted to insert an entity into the connection (CO), the entity affecting the connection quality, or to remove an entity affecting the connection quality from the connection. An indicator is forwarded between nodes controlling the connection (CO) wherein the indicator indicates whether the connection (CO) comprises an entity affecting the connection quality. A node which decides to insert an entity into the connection or remove an entity adjusts the indicator accordingly before forwarding it to a further node (MSC, TNS, MSC?) controlling the connection (CO). A node (MSC, TSN, MSC?) controlling the connection (CO) checks the value of the indicator when it performs a decision to insert or remove an entity. Nodes and program units for performing the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of negotiating a call capability between signalling points in a telecommunications system. The method comprises sending a capability preference or prioritised list of preferences from an originating signalling point to a terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point, at the Call Control level. A capability acceptance is returned from the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point to the originating signalling point at the Call Control level, if the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point accepts a preference sent by the originating signalling point.

Abstract: In order to address the problem of allowing a GGSN 16 of a UMTS core network to work towards multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs) 17 co-located with P-CSCF nodes 18 using the COPS protocol, a policy control function coordinator (PCF-C) 15 is implemented between the GGSN 16 and the P-CSCF 18. A single COPS connection is established between the GGSN 16 and the PCF-C 15, whilst a COPS connection is established between the PCF-C 15 and each of the P-CSCF nodes 18. Decisions made at the PCFs 17 are routed to the GGSN 16 via the PCF-C 17, and responses generated at the GGSN 16 are routed to the appropriate PCFs 17 via the GGSN 17. This architecture avoids conflicts which might otherwise arise with the COPS protocol.

Abstract: A method of signalling in a telecommunications system that includes a Call Control level and a Bearer Control level, where the Call Control level includes a plurality of Media Gateway Controllers and the Bearer Control level includes a plurality of Media Gateways, each of which is controlled by a Media Gateway Controller. The method includes allocating to each Media Gateway at least one address that corresponds to one of a plurality of different addressing formats, and conveying these addresses between peer Media Gateway Controllers by encapsulating them using a Network Service Access Point addressing format.

Abstract: A method of determining the propagation delay over a packet switched network intented to provide a segment of a telephone circuit. In response to a request for a telephone circuit between two subscribers, a packet containing an echo request message is transmitted over the packet switched network from a first network node to a second network node. The second network node reacts to receipt of the echo request message by transmitting a packet containing an echo reply message to the first network node. The first network node then determines the round trip propagation delay for the packet switched network segment on the basis of the time which elapses between sending the echo request message from the first node and receiving the echo reply message also at the first node.

Abstract: In order to address the problem of allowing a GGSN 16 of a UMTS core network to work towards multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs) 17 co-located with P-CSCF nodes 18 using the COPS protocol, a policy control function coordinator (PCF-C) 15 is implemented between the GGSN 16 and the P-CSCF 18. A single COPS connection is established between the GGSN 16 and the PCF-C 15, whilst a COPS connection is established between the PCF-C 15 and each of the P-CSCF nodes 18. Decisions made at the PCFs 17 are routed to the GGSN 16 via the PCF-C 17, and responses generated at the GGSN 16 are routed to the appropriate PCFs 17 via the GGSN 17. This architecture avoids conflicts which might otherwise arise with the COPS protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunication services, and in particular, to communicating priority indications between telecommunication nodes in a telecommunication system having a separated call control and bearer control architecture. The present invention provides a number of solutions which map or assign the call level priority to the bearer level.

Abstract: A signalling point of a telecommunications network comprises a Transport Independent Call Control (TICC) part 4. A signalling transport part 6 is arranged to exchange call control signalling information with the TICC part 4 and with a peer TICC part at a remote signalling point. A signalling transport converter 5 is arranged logically between the TICC part 4 and said signalling transport part 6 and is arranged to present a standard interface to the TICC part 4 and a specific interface to the signalling transport part 6, wherein said call control signalling is exchanged between the TICC part 4 and the signalling transport part 6 via the signalling transport converter 5.

Abstract: A method of negotiating a call capability between signalling points in a telecommunications system. The method comprises sending a capability preference or prioritised list of preferences from an originating signalling point to a terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point, at the Call Control level. A capability acceptance is returned from the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point to the originating signalling point at the Call Control level, if the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point accepts a preference sent by the originating signalling point.

Abstract: A method of signalling in a telecommunications network comprises generating signalling messages at an Application Part or a User part of an originating signalling point, the messages having a maximum length of 272 octets. The generated signaling messages are transferred to a Message Transfer Part layer 3 (MTP3) of the originating signalling point, and on the basis of the destination signalling point of the received signalling message, it is determined whether or not the message is to be transmitted over an NNI-SAAL signalling link. If the message is to be transmitted over an NNI-SAAL signalling link, the message is transferred to an NNI-SAAL part of the originating signalling point. If the message is not to be transmitted over an NNI-SAAL signalling link, the message is transferred to an MTP2 part of the originating point.

Abstract: A method of negotiating a call capability between signalling points in a telecommunications system. The method comprises sending a capability preference or prioritised list of preferences from an originating signalling point to a terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point, at the Call Control level. A capability acceptance is returned from the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point to the originating signalling point at the Call Control level, if the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point accepts a preference sent by the originating signalling point.

Abstract: In a method for the control of a connection in a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes (MSC, TSN, MG), a connection (CO) is established stepwise between nodes (MSC, TSN, MG). At least two of the nodes (MSC, TSN, MG) are adapted to insert an entity into the connection (CO), the entity affecting the connection quality, or to remove an entity affecting the connection quality from the connection. An indicator is forwarded between nodes controlling the connection (CO) wherein the indicator indicates whether the connection (CO) comprises an entity affecting the connection quality. A node which decides to insert an entity into the connection or remove an entity adjusts the indicator accordingly before forwarding it to a further node (MSC, TNS, MSC′) controlling the connection (CO). A node (MSC, TSN, MSC′) controlling the connection (CO) checks the value of the indicator when it performs a decision to insert or remove an entity.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network a subscriber connected to an originating local exchange requests activation of a supplementary service. The supplementary service establishes an end-to-end TC-dialogue with a corresponding supplementary service of a destination local exchange. The TC-dialogue terminates the request on an interfering telecommunication service in an intermediate node. For preventing service operation failure in case of interaction between the supplementary service and the interfering telecommunication service, a relay link is established between an incoming TC-dialogue and an outgoing TC-dialogue at the intermediate node to realize a chain of end-to-end TC-dialogues between the originating exchange and the destination exchange, while using a transparent relay functionality independent of utilizing TCAP based supplementary service ASEs as intermediate nodes.

Abstract: In traffic processes in a telecommunication system there is internal communication between service controlling entities which may belong to logical nodes in the same or different applications. Such a service controlling entity may be a service process controlling a service for a party of a call. The communication between the service controlling entities is controlled by rules given in a generic protocol. These rules imply lack of messages and use only of protocol parameters in the form of indivisible information transmission elements. Based upon the generic protocol, service protocols are specified, each corresponding to its service, and a protocol managing entity within an application handling the protocol management of a certain service according to the service protocol. The information elements are distributed by a communication service having a parameter distribution function for the protocol parameters, by transferring data between the protocol managing entities.