Patent ID: 10194024

Abstract:
A system or method for determining if a telephony network number is ported for use with variable numbering plan comprising, a first network node for receiving a number message comprising at least a first part of a dialled number identifying a called party, and a number portability database, containing routing numbers associated with entries in the database. The first network node is configured to compare the number message with entries in the number portability database. The first network node is configured such that if the number message or a first part of the number message uniquely matches with the whole of an entry in the database and does not match with part of another entry in the database, the first network node determines that a best match has been found. In this case, the first network node routes a call to a second network node identified by the routing number associated with the entry. The first network node is configured such that if the number message matches with at least part of at least one entry in the database, the first network node determines that at least one partial match has been found. The first network node then retrieves a further part of the dialled number. The first network node repeats the comparison based on a new number message comprising said first part of the dialled number and said further part of the dialled number. The first network node is configured such that if at least a first part of the number message cannot be matched to the whole of any entry in the database, the first network node determines that no match has been found. In this case, the first network node routes a call to a second network node identified by the dialled number.