Abstract: A porting control routing (PCR) node (302) is adapted to efficiently route signaling messages associated with a mobile subscriber that has been either ported in to or out of a service provider's wireless communication network. The PCR node (302) includes both range- and exception based routing rule databases (348 and 346). These databases increase flexibility in allocating mobile identification numbers among multiple mobile service nodes. Furthermore, the association of a ported status indicator and related routing information with entries in the exception based database allows the PCR node (302) to more efficiently manage a service provider's mobile service resources.

Abstract: Methods and systems for load sharing signaling messages among signaling links in a network utilizing an international signaling protocol are disclosed. A routing node receives a signaling message formatted according to an international signaling protocol. The routing node generates a signaling link selection parameter for the signaling message. The routing node selects an outbound signaling link based on the generated signaling link selection parameter. The number of bits in the generated SLS value is user-configurable, thus allowing load sharing among arbitrary numbers of signaling links.

Abstract: An auto-provisioning routing node including a mobile services node network address translation database and an auto-provisioning function for automatically provisioning the database is disclosed. The auto-provisioning routing node receives signaling messages that require network address translation services. The auto-provisioning routing node routes messages for which no translations exist to a default mobile services node and adds entries for the corresponding IMSIs in its mobile services node network address translation database. The default mobile services node determines whether it has records for these messages. If the default mobile services node does not have records for these messages, the default mobile services node routes the messages to a second mobile services node via the routing node. The routing node updates entries for IMSIs in the mobile services node network address translation database based on the information inserted by the default mobile services node.

Abstract: A porting control routing (PCR) node (302) is adapted to efficiently route signaling messages associated with a mobile subscriber that has been either ported in to or out of a service provider's wireless communication network. The PCR node (302) includes both range- and exception based routing rule databases (348 and 346). These databases increase flexibility in allocating mobile identification numbers among multiple mobile service nodes. Furthermore, the association of a ported status indicator and related routing information with entries in the exception based database allows the PCR node (302) to more efficiently manage a service provider's mobile service resources.

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: A prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node performs prepaid SMS screening and accounting functions. When the prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node receives an SMS message, it determines whether the originating subscriber is a ported subscriber attempting to access an SMSC from the donor network. If the originating subscriber is a ported subscriber attempting to access a donor network SMSC, the SMS message may be discarded. If the originating subscriber is not a ported subscriber, the prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node determines whether the subscriber is a prepaid subscriber. If the subscriber is a prepaid subscriber, the prepaid SMS screening, routing, and accounting node determines whether the subscriber has sufficient credit to send the SMS message. If the subscriber has sufficient credit to send the message, the prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node debits its accounting database and forwards the message to its intended destination.

Abstract: A duplicate point code routing node is capable of routing messages to nodes having the same point code but being located in different national networks. The duplicate point code routing node associates a group code with received messages and uses the group code to route the messages to the appropriate national network. The group code may be determined based on the link or linkset from which a message is received or from the message itself.

Abstract: Method and systems for providing triggerless screening services include a triggerless screening service routing node and a message processing platform. The triggerless screening service routing node identifies call setup messages that require one or more call screening services and diverts the messages to a message processing platform. The message processing platform performs at least one screening action on the call setup messages and modifies the messages to include the type and result of the screening action.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mobile application part (MAP) screening include a signaling gateway having a MAP screening module. The MAP screening module includes a MAP screening process and a signalling connection control part (SCCP) screening process. The SCCP screening process determines whether the message is a candidate for MAP screening. The MAP screening process determines whether the message is a candidate for SCCP authorization.

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: A flexible routing node for re-directing signaling messages in a communications network is disclosed. Re-direction or re-routing of signaling message packets is accomplished through the use of a range or block-based database in conjunction with an exception-based database. The range-based routing instruction databases incorporates a data structure that maps ranges or blocks of mobile identification numbers (MINs) to a single destination network address, while the exceptions database stores any exceptions to these range or block-based rules. The pair of routing databases is implemented such that, when a signaling message is received that requires re-direction, the exception-based database is queried first. If a match is found in the exceptions database, the signaling message is modified using the returned routing instructions and transmitted into an associated communication network. If no match is found in the exception-based database, a default query is performed against the range-based database.