Abstract: A universal triggerless number portability routing node receives a first call setup message from an end office. The triggerless number portability routing node may examine a first routing number (RN) value contained in the first call setup message to determine whether the first RN is a home RN value. If the first RN is determined to be a home RN value, a number portability database lookup is performed based on the called party dialed number. Once a number portability lookup is performed, the call setup message is modified to include a second RN value returned by the NP database, and the modified call setup message is routed to a destination node, which may be a tandem gateway or an end office/mobile switching center.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobility management routing (MMR) node that performs location management signaling operations associated with mobile subscribers. The MMR node may also perform the signaling message routing functionality typically provided by a network routing node, such as a signaling system 7 (SS7) signal transfer point (STP) or an SS7-over-Internet protocol signaling gateway (SG). The MMR node caches mobile subscriber information extracted from messages transmitted between an HLR and a VLR and responds to some of the messages using the cached information. As a result, signaling message traffic and call setup time in a mobile communications network are reduced.

Abstract: A signaling message processing and routing node transmits and receives short message service (SMS) data packets via a communications network. The routing node includes an SMS message discrimination module that determines whether an unwanted or spam SMS message is being sent to a receiving or called party. Unwanted SMS messages are discarded and consequently not delivered to their intended recipient. As a result, mobile subscribers and network nodes are shielded from unwanted SMS traffic. The SMS message discrimination module also includes a provisioning interface that allows end users and network operators to control SMS message discrimination criteria.

Abstract: A routing node communicates between subscribers of different application-layer mobile communications protocols, such as IS-41 and GSM, without converting each IS-41 message to GSM and vice versa. Rather than converting each message to the protocol of the intended recipient, the routing node functions as an HLR to provide the location of a mobile subscriber in a different application-layer mobile communications protocol and as an MSC to forward short message service messages to a short message service center of the other application-layer mobile communications protocol.

Abstract: A short message service (SMS) flood control routing node includes an SMS flood control module that receives short message service messages, determines the presence of short message service flooding, and takes appropriate action, such as discarding short message service messages that result in flooding. The presence of short message service message flooding may be determined by maintaining a count of short message service messages addressed to a particular called party within a time period. If the count exceeds a threshold, the short message service message that caused the count to exceed the threshold may be discarded. The routing node may generate a message the originator of a short message service message flood and/or to an enforcement agency.

Abstract: A universal triggerless number portability routing node receives a first call setup message from an end office. The triggerless number portability routing node may examine a first routing number (RN) value contained in the first call setup message to determine whether the first RN is a home RN value. If the first RN is determined to be a home RN value, a number portability database lookup is performed based on the called party dialed number. Once a number portability lookup is performed, the call setup message is modified to include a second RN value returned by the NP database, and the modified call setup message is routed to a destination node, which may be a tandem gateway or an end office/mobile switching center.