Abstract: In order to determine the second path in the case of non-availability of a direct path between neighboring switching nodes, there are held in the individual switching nodes priority lists in which, ordered in terms of the degree of loading, the direct paths to the neighboring nodes and the direct paths from these neighboring nodes to the neighboring nodes thereof are identified by comparing the priority list of the originating node with that of the neighboring destination node, that neighboring node whose direct paths to the originating and destination nodes promise the highest switching probability being selected as an intermediate switching node of a second path.