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.