Abstract: In a cellular mobile telecommunications system, apparatus and a method for altering the charge for a call if the occupancy of radio channels is above or below an appropriate threshold. For one proposed service, the users are charged less if they make calls during the time when the occupancy of radio channels is less than a threshold. For users having another proposed service, the charge is greater when the occupancy of the radio channels is above another threshold. Advantageously, users are encouraged to use the mobile telecommunications service when the occupancy of regular channels is low, and to use the service less when the occupancy of the radio channels is high.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for direct access to the multimedia mailbox associated with a wireless unit. The wireless unit subscribes to the direct multimedia mail service. A calling unit, such as a wireline phone, wireless phone, or mobile phone, sends a call request requesting a direct multimedia mail message be sent to the subscriber to the direct multimedia mail service. The calling unit will be directed directly to the multimedia mailbox of the subscribing wireless unit, without ringing or alerting the called wireless unit to the communication with the multimedia mailbox.

Abstract: A system and method that provides control of a conference call. A controlling party enters a code and is isolated from the conference. Each conference participant is sequentially connected to the controlling party so that the controlling party may determine the noise level on that leg of the call. If there is no excess noise, then the controlling party may enter a code which causes the switch to select the next party on the conference call. When the controlling party discerns the offending conference participant, the controlling party can signal the switch to drop the offending party. The controlling party may then rejoin all of the conference participants.

Abstract: A network mute feature deployed in a wireless telecommunications system allows a mobile user to eliminate ambient environmental and wireless transmission noise. Upon activation of the network mute feature, a voice path interconnecting the mobile unit to a party served by the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is opened. A portion of the open voice path is subsequently interconnected to a noise generator so that the PSTN party hears unobtrusive background noise indicating that the mobile user is still “on the line” and can hear transmissions by the party. The PSTN party, however, cannot hear noises associated with mobile user's environment or wireless transmission while the network mute feature is activated. Advantageously, the network mute feature enhances the ability of mobile users to participate in calls in which the quality of transmission (e.g., a conference call) is important.

Abstract: A mobile unit deployed in a wireless telecommunications system includes a network mute feature. Activation of the network mute feature initiates a signaling protocol in which a network mute activation request is extended by the mobile unit to a serving base station. Deactivation of the network mute feature also requires the mobile unit to generate a signal which is extended to the serving base station. Advantageously, the network mute feature not only mutes the microphone of the mobile unit but also eliminates disruptive noise associated with wireless transmissions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for allowing a user of a wireless station to screen incoming calls by presenting to the user a displayed text generated by a speech-to-text converter, the text corresponding to the initial portion of a message that the caller is leaving on the called party's voice mail system. Advantageously, the called party can screen calls, not only by caller identification, which may or may not be present, but also by the specifics of the message that the caller is planning to leave for the called party. Advantageously, using this arrangement, the caller need not know that the called customer could have answered the call, a disadvantage with arrangements such as call waiting, in which there is a brief exchange before a connection is either established, or not established, to the interrupting party.