Patent ID: 6600820
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
A switching network having a plurality of switches interconnected to provide telecommunications services to customers, the network being responsive to signals from a first customer indicating a request for connection to a second customer to establish calls between the first and the second customers, the network using digital information characterising the signals received to effect connection through the network to a network termination point to customer telecommunications equipment, the network termination point being connected to at least a signalling path of customer premises equipment associated with the second customer, the customer premises equipment responding to signals transmitted by the network by transmitting to the network signals characterising a destination on the network over an established communication path, the network causing a voice path to be set up between the first customer and the specified destination characterised by the data being received causing the release of the signalling path to the customer premises equipment and connection of the first customer to apparatus which collects additional information from the first customer, said apparatus collects additional information from the first customer which additional information causes a network service control point to cause a second signalling connection to said customer premises equipment, said customer premises equipment retaining data characterising a final destination causing the first switch to effect connection through the network to the characterised destination.