Patent ID: 7286839
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: H04Q,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for processing messages in a mobile communications network, the method comprising: at a porting control routing (PCR) node capable of routing signaling messages between nodes in a mobile communications network: (a) receiving a first message relating to a communication in a mobile communications network, the first message including a called party identifier, the first message being destined for a mobile services node in the mobile communications network; (b) analyzing information in the first message to determine whether mobile number portability processing is required for the first message; (c) in response to determining that mobile number portability processing is required for the first message, performing a lookup in a first database located in the PCR node based on the called party identifier to determine whether the called party has been ported out of a network serviced by the PCR node; (d) in response to determining that the called party has been ported out of the network serviced by the PCR node, analyzing information in the first message to determine whether a reply is required for the first message; (e) in response to determining that a reply is required for the first message, formulating and sending the reply on behalf of the mobile services node based on information extracted from the first database; and (f) in response to determining that the called party has not been ported out of the network serviced by the PCR node, obtaining routing information for the message and routing the message using the routing information.