Abstract: In a telecommunications network which supports path replacement, an improved path replacement scheme is described for use after a supplementary service call has been carried out. The basic call and the supplementary call involve at least a basic call originating node, a diverting node and a diverted-to node of the telecommunications network. Where several methods are provided for carrying out the supplementary service, an identifier is included in one of the messages sent to the diverted-to node which identifies which method is intended for, or has been used for the supplementary service call. In response to this identifier, the diverted-to node either invokes a path replacement when the supplementary service call has been established over a non-optimum path or suppresses path replacement if the call is known to be optimum.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced protocol converter which may be configured as a network element, e.g. a digital switch, a node of the system or a digital private exchange. The network element is for use in a telecommunications network which supports at least one supplementary service and which includes a node, a message associated with a supplementary service being transmittable within the network including an information element in a first format which is incompatible with the node, and a message associated with a supplementary service being transmittable within the network including an information element in a second format compatible with the node.The network element examines the messages and determines if the format of an information element therein is compatible with the next node. If it is, the message is transmitted transparently. If not, the format is changed to the appropriate format for the next node and for the relevant supplementary service.