Patent ID: 8649497

Claim:
A method for providing a path for direct inward dial calls, in a communication network, comprising: connecting, via a processor, a customer's switch to a plurality of network switches via a plurality of separate direct inward dial trunk groups, where each of the plurality of separate direct inward dial trunk groups is coupled to a different network switch of the plurality of network switches, wherein the customer's switch is a private branch exchange system; creating, via the processor, a direct inward dial trunk group between the plurality of network switches that are connected to the customer's switch, wherein the direct inward dial trunk group between the plurality of network switches is subscribed as a service by a customer of the customer's switch; enabling, via the processor, the plurality of network switches to process direct inward dial calls forwarded towards the customer's switch; and allowing, via the processor, a network switch of the plurality of network switches to continue to process the direct inward dial calls to the customer's switch via the path when a direct inward dial trunk group of the plurality of separate direct inward dial trunk groups has failed, wherein the allowing comprises the direct inward dial calls being channeled, via the direct inward dial trunk group between the plurality of network switches, to another network switch that is coupled to one of separate direct inward dial trunk group of the plurality of separate direct inward dial trunk groups that is still operating.