Abstract: Disclosed is a communication system for effecting communication events between a plurality of endpoints connected via a communication network. The communication system comprises a plurality of processing units other than said endpoints, each having access to computer storage holding executable code modules for managing a communication event. The code modules are configured to implement a media modality controller configured to manage media modality of an established communication event and a call controller configured to establish the communication event. An instance of the call controller is assigned to progress the establishment of the communication event responsive to an instruction received via the network and is configured to initiate an instruction to at least one of: the media modality controller; and at least one of the endpoints.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communication system—for effecting communication events between a computer system, comprising first and second computer devices, and additional endpoint(s) connected via a communication network—comprising processing units, each having access to computer storage holding executable code modules for managing a communication event configured to implement a media modality controller configured to manage media modality of an established communication event and a call controller configured to establish the communication event. An instance of the media modality controller is assigned responsive to an instruction initiated to the media controller by the call controller to convey media modality control signals of the communication event to a media agent on the first device without accessing a call agent on the second device. The initiation of the instruction by the call controller is responsive to an instruction received via the network from the call agent on the second device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instance of a media modality controller of a communication system which is assigned to convey media modality control signals of a communication event to respective media modality agents of endpoints of the communication event without accessing respective call agents of the endpoints. The media modality controller instance is so assigned independently of a call controller of the communication system and responsive to an instruction received via the network. The media modality controller instance is released from said assignment responsive to the media modality controller instance returning a response to the received instruction while the call controller continues to operate in communication with the call agents of the endpoints.

Abstract: Disclosed is a first call controller instance of a communication system configured to access a first failure-tolerant region of computer storage to access a call state, the first call controller instance being assigned to so access the call state responsive to a first instruction received via a network. At least part of the call state is replicated in a second failure-tolerant region of the computer storage so that a second call controller instance of the communication system can access the at least part of the call state, the second call controller instance being assigned to so access the at least part of the call state responsive to a second instruction received via the network.

Abstract: Method and user terminal for handling a call over a communications network between a first user terminal, usable by a first user, and at least one other user terminal, usable by a respective at least one other user, wherein a client is executed at the first user terminal for participation in the call. The client determines a condition of a respective at least one network connection used in the call between the first user terminal and the at least one other user terminal over the communications network. The client also determines that the call has been dropped, and responsive to the determination that the call has been dropped, the client automatically attempts to re-establish the call in dependence upon the determined condition of the at least one network connection.

Abstract: Provided is a method, computer program product, and apparatus for estimating the quality of a call in which a first user terminal will comprise an end point. The method comprises establishing an end-to-end connection between a first user terminal and a node, which end-to-end connection is via an access point of a network by which the first user terminal is connected to the network; displaying information indicative of an expected quality of a call in which the first user terminal will comprise an end point, in dependence on information indicative of the quality of the end-to-end connection; and providing call initiation means for enabling a user to then selectively establish a call between the first user terminal and a callee. Also provided is a method, computer program product, and apparatus for estimating the quality of a call between a first user terminal and a potential callee.

Abstract: Method and user terminal for handling a call over a communications network between a first user terminal, usable by a first user, and at least one other user terminal, usable by a respective at least one other user, wherein a client is executed at the first user terminal for participation in the call. The client determines a condition of a respective at least one network connection used in the call between the first user terminal and the at least one other user terminal over the communications network. The client also determines that the call has been dropped, and responsive to the determination that the call has been dropped, the client automatically attempts to re-establish the call in dependence upon the determined condition of the at least one network connection.

Abstract: A network node, computer program product and method establishing a call between a caller and a callee over a network. Multiple versions of a call invite are sent for establishing the call between a caller client of the caller and one or more callee clients implemented at one or more callee terminals of the callee. The multiple versions of the call invite are sent over a plurality of different delivery mechanisms. One of the delivery mechanisms comprises a push notification on a push channel.

Abstract: An apparatus, computer program product and method, the apparatus comprising: processing apparatus configured to generate a push notification relating to a communication from an originating endpoint intended for a destination endpoint, the communication to be conducted over a packet-based network; and transceiver apparatus arranged to send the push notification to the destination endpoint. The processing apparatus is configured to generate the push notification with a payload comprising an indication of a language to be used by the destination endpoint to output a user notification notifying a destination user regarding the communication.

Abstract: A network element of a communication provider comprises transceiver apparatus arranged to receive a request message from an originating endpoint via a packet-based communication network; and processing apparatus configured to generate, in response to the request message from the originating endpoint, a push notification relating to a communication from the originating endpoint intended for a destination endpoint, the communication to be conducted over the packet-based network. The transceiver apparatus is arranged to send the push notification to the destination endpoint over the packet-based network. The processing apparatus is further configured to generate the push notification with a payload comprising an indication of an image representing an originating user, to be output by the destination endpoint in a user notification notifying a destination user regarding the communication.

Abstract: A network element of a communication provider arranged to receive a call invite from an originating end-user terminal inviting a destination end-user terminal to a proposed session for conducting a voice or video call over a packet-based network, in response to generate a push notification, and to send the push notification to the destination end-user terminal. The processing apparatus is configured to generate the push notification with a payload comprising call signalling information enabling a response regarding the proposed session to be formulated by the destination end-user terminal and returned to the originating end-user terminal, the call signalling information comprising at least (i) an indication that a session between end-user terminals is sought, and (ii) an identifier for responding to the originating end-user terminal.

Abstract: Method and user terminal for handling a call over a communications network between a first user terminal, usable by a first user, and at least one other user terminal, usable by a respective at least one other user, wherein a client is executed at the first user terminal for participation in the call. The client determines a condition of a respective at least one network connection used in the call between the first user terminal and the at least one other user terminal over the communications network. The client also determines that the call has been dropped, and responsive to the determination that the call has been dropped, the client automatically attempts to re-establish the call in dependence upon the determined condition of the at least one network connection.

Abstract: Method and user terminal for handling a call over a communications network between a first user terminal, usable by a first user, and at least one other user terminal, usable by a respective at least one other user, wherein a client is executed at the first user terminal for participation in the call. The client determines a condition of a respective at least one network connection used in the call between the first user terminal and the at least one other user terminal over the communications network. The client also determines that the call has been dropped, and responsive to the determination that the call has been dropped, the client automatically attempts to re-establish the call in dependence upon the determined condition of the at least one network connection.

Abstract: Provided is a method, computer program product, and apparatus for estimating the quality of a call in which a first user terminal will comprise an end point. The method comprises establishing an end-to-end connection between a first user terminal and a node, which end-to-end connection is via an access point of a network by which the first user terminal is connected to the network; displaying information indicative of an expected quality of a call in which the first user terminal will comprise an end point, in dependence on information indicative of the quality of the end-to-end connection; and providing call initiation means for enabling a user to then selectively establish a call between the first user terminal and a callee. Also provided is a method, computer program product, and apparatus for estimating the quality of a call between a first user terminal and a potential callee.