Abstract: A system and method for automated activation of a call feature having a first (e.g., activated) state and a second (e.g., deactivated) state comprises a fixed device for transmitting an input signal to a portable device including a receiver for receiving the input signal, and a transmitter for transmitting an answerback signal to a receiver in the fixed device. The call feature is placed in the first state when the fixed device receiver fails to receive the answerback signal.

Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) operations are utilized to substitute for the allocation of voice trunks in a conventional telecommunications network during intersystem handoff operations. A pair of VoIP gateways are in electronic communication with mobile switching centers. The VoIP gateways are connected by an Internet Protocol network. A determination is made that a handoff forward call connection operation should occur. A second VoIP gateway is allocated to the Target MSC, while a first VoIP gateway is allocated to the Serving MSC. A voice path is then completed using voice channels between the VoIP gateways and the MSCs, to allow the mobile station communication to be handed off from the Serving MSC to the Target MSC. Formatting and recovery of the voice audio signals occurs within the VoIP gateways as they are sent to and received from, respectively, the MSCs.

Abstract: Given access to two or more originating switching node addressing mechanisms (such as, for example, a mobile switching center identification (MSCID), a mobile switching center identification number (MSCIN) and/or a point code subsystem number (PC-SSN)), a serving switching node, when needing to address a message to that originating switching node, implements a hierarchical process for selecting one of the two or more available mechanisms for use in addressing the message. The process gives preference to use of the MSCIN, if present and if the message is being sent in an international routing context, in addressing the message. Alternatively, the process gives preference to use of the PC-SSN, if present and if the message is being sent in a national routing context, in addressing the message. Lastly, the process utilizes the MSCID in addressing the message.