Abstract: A signaling processor receives a first signaling message indicating a called telephone number for the call. The signaling processor processes the called telephone number from the first signaling message to determine if call validation is required. If the call validation is not required, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine routing information without the call validation. If the call validation is required, then the signaling processor determines if the call is valid, and if the call is valid, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine the routing information. The signaling processor transfers a second signaling message indicating the routing information for the call.

Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates control messages that identify the selection and transfers the control messages to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the control messages.