Patent ID: 8195160

Claim:
A network device for performing private branch exchange communications on a femtocell network, the device comprising: a first communications module configured to communicate with a femtocell; a second communications module configured to communicate with a mobile switching center controlled by a network operator and with a private branch exchange; a controller configured to generate an association number with a mobile station connected to the femtocell, receive an incoming call destined for the mobile station from a central telephone network through the second communications module, and route the incoming call to the mobile station through the femtocell; and the controller further configured to generate a second association number with a second mobile station connected to the femtocell, receive a second incoming telephone call destined for the second mobile station from the central telephone network through the second communications module, and route the second incoming call to the second mobile station through the femtocell, and wherein the private branch exchange verifies a register state of mobile stations within the femtocell network based on information obtained from a register module, and wherein the private branch exchange recognizes that a call originating from a mobile station within the femtocell network is destined from another mobile station within the femtocell network, and performs local call switching without utilizing an external cellular network or the femtocell network.