Patent ID: 8400947

Claim:
A method for specifying an E.164 number mapping (ENUM) service type in a communications network that utilizes a plurality of different ENUM service types, the method comprising: detecting, at a signaling point separate from an ENUM database, a communication origination event for establishing communication with a called party destination; identifying, at the signaling point separate from the ENUM database, at least one ENUM service type from a plurality of different ENUM service types based on a media type associated with the called party destination; generating at least one ENUM query message that includes at least one ENUM service type identifier that identifies the at least one identified ENUM service type; and transmitting the at least one ENUM query message to at least one ENUM server that is configured to utilize the at least one ENUM service type identifier to locate at least one destination identifier for establishing the communication with the called party destination via the at least one identified ENUM service type.