Abstract: A mobile switching center including multiple home location register platforms presented in varying configurations and connected to a network through a set of signal transfer points. In a master/slave configuration, a master platform is given primary responsibility for handling network service request messages, and dynamic data affecting messages are copied to a slave platform in order to maintain data integrity therein in the event the master fails and the slave must take over for the master. In a load sharing configuration, each platform is given primary responsibility for handling network service request messages of its "own" subscribers, and dynamic data affecting messages are copied between the platforms in order to maintain data integrity therein in the event one of the platforms fails and the remaining functional platforms must take over for the failed platform in addition to serving its own subscribers.

Abstract: A system for allocating communication channels within a cellular radio system in which each channel seizure request is assigned a call type based upon the capabilities of the mobile station, the nature of the call and the characteristics of the subscriber. A first algorithm is used to select a communication channel group for the call and a second algorithm is used to select an available communication channel from within the selected channel group.