Abstract: A communication network traffic control element is disclosed which is arranged to receive traffic, such as voice and data, as a plurality of discrete traffic packets at an input and communicate the traffic as a serial traffic stream to an output. The traffic control element can include a receiver which is arranged to receive the traffic packets, and a processor which is arranged to communicate the serial traffic stream to the output. The processor can include a buffer to vary a traffic output rate from the processor independently of an input rate of traffic flow to the receiver.

Abstract: A communication network traffic control element is disclosed which is arranged to receive traffic, such as voice and data, as a plurality of discrete traffic packets at an input and communicate the traffic as a serial traffic stream to an output. The traffic control element can include a receiver which is arranged to receive the traffic packets, and a processor which is arranged to communicate the serial traffic stream to the output. The processor can include a buffer to vary a traffic output rate from the processor independently of an input rate of traffic flow to the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a calling subscriber, who sent a call request including an address in an attempt to place a call to a called subscriber, to untrap an unsuccessful call due to the called subscriber being busy or unreachable. In a first procedure, before completion of the call is attempted, it is determined from the address included in the call request whether the network to which the call is directed is one which traps calls. If so, the calling subscriber is informed on how to untrap the call should the call be unsuccessful. In a second procedure, a determination is made as to whether a call is unsuccessful, if the time period between receiving an Address Complete Message (ACM) and an Answer Message (ANM) from a network that traps calls is less than a very short predetermined threshold (e.g., 0.5 seconds), indicating that the call could not have been answered by a human subscriber.