Patent ID: 6097801
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
In a telephone network having a number of telephone switching offices equipped with SSPs (Service Switching Points), a method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a ported number of a called party, comprising the steps of:a) receiving digits dialed by said calling party at a switching office serving said calling party;b) determining from a first directory number database collocated at a first exchange, whether the dialed digits are associated with a ported number;c) querying a second directory number database to obtain routing information, if the dialed digits are determined at step b) to be associated with a ported number;d) establishing a signalling path from said first exchange to a terminating exchange associated with the ported number by creating an Initial Address Message (IAM) according to said routing information; ande) receiving said Initial Address Message (IAM) at said terminating exchange to enable the call to reach the called party.