Patent ID: 8824454

Claim:
A peering network for routing a special number call from a communications device connected to a first communications network to an answering point connected to a second communications network based on a pre-provisioned parameter regarding said communication device, said pre-provisioned parameter comprising one of a plurality of parameters regarding said communication device, said peering network comprising: a first gateway coupled with a plurality of second gateways and coupled with a parameter server; said first gateway configured to receive a voice path and one or more of said plurality of parameters regarding said communication device from said first communications network; said parameter server configured to deliver routing instructions to said first gateway responsive to said parameter server determining that said first gateway delivered said pre-provisioned parameter; said first gateway further configured to select one of said plurality of second gateways responsive to said parameter server determining that said first gateway delivered said pre-provisioned parameter and to deliver the voice path and a signaling path including the routing instructions to the selected second gateway; and said second gateway configured to connect said voice path and said signaling path to said second communications network; said voice path and said signaling path proceeding from said first gateway to said second communications network via a plurality of network elements substantially simultaneously; at least one of said first gateway and said selected second gateway generating a message to a caller at substantially the same time as one of said voice path and said signaling path is received by at least one selected network element of said plurality of network elements; said message conveying that said special number call is being connected with said at least one selected network element; wherein said pre-provisioned parameter comprises a location of said communications device; and wherein said special number call is connected with said at least one selected network element as if it were a special number call that originated in said second communications network; and wherein said first gateway comprises a session border controller.