Abstract: A subscriber (12) seeking to enter a conference call does so by dialing a non-directory conference call access telephone number maintained by a telephone carrier for conference call service. Upon receipt of the call within its network (14), the carrier identifies the subscriber, and thereafter determines from a record stored in a database (24) the identity of the conference call that the subscriber desires to enter. Knowing the identity of the conference call, the network (14) can then route the subscriber's call to the corresponding bridge (26) carrying the conference call. In this way, the subscriber seeking to enter a conference call need not know the particular conference bridge number or access code.

Abstract: To overcome the incompatibility between network-generated and customer premises equipment-generated monitoring signals, a translator device (26) intercepts and strips off a network-generated monitoring signal received from the network (10) on a communication channel (12). In place of the network-generated monitoring signal, the translator provides a first alternate monitoring signal derived (translated) from the network-generated monitoring signal but of a format compatible with the customer premises equipment. The translator device also intercepts the customer premises equipment-generated monitoring signal and substitutes a second alternate monitoring signal derived (translated) from the customer premises equipment-generated monitoring signal but of a format compatible with the network.

Abstract: Restoration of a multiplexed circuit in a network (10) is effected in accordance with the probability of failure of that circuit determined in accordance with: (1) how many constituent circuits in the multiplexed circuit are provisioned for service; (2) how many constituent circuits in the multiplexed circuit have failed and (3) how many constituent circuits in the multiplexed circuit are in service and out of service. If the probability of failure differs from a prescribed reference value by a predetermined threshold, a processor (28) effects restoration by choosing an alternate path.