System for selective communication connection based on transaction pricing signals

• US 5,802,502 A
• Filed: 04/26/1994
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC (BT Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC (BT Group PLC)
• Inventors: Manning, Michael Robert Wistow, Martin, Jose-Luis Fernandez-Villacanas, Gell, Michael Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Weinhardt, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US08/233,631
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401, 364/402, 364/406, 379/111, 379/112, 379/114, 379/115, 379/120, 370/17, 395/201, 395/210, 395/235, 395/234, 395/230, 395/237, 705/1, 705/10, 705/35, 705/34, 705/30, 705/37
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/145 trading network capacity or selecting route based on tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/46 Real-time negotiation between users and providers or operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/805 Bidding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/56 : On line or real-time flexible agreements between service providers and telecoms operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7414 : QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 : Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7457 : Biding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 : Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/92 : Autonomous calculations of charges in terminal, i.e. meter not controlled from exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13056 : Routines, finite state machines
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 : Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13138 : Least cost routing, LCR
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13148 : Maximum profit routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13164 : Traffic (registration, measurement,...)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 : Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13248 : Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 : Picturephone, videotelephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13343 : Neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 : Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13383 : Hierarchy of switches, main and subexchange, e.g. satellite exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13514 : quality of service - inc. grade of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 : multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

A communications network in which user equipment is provided with a selecting device which communicates with a pricing device in service provider equipment. When communications or other services are required, the selection circuit polls a plurality of service providers, and the pricing circuit of each service provider generates a price signal indicating the level of price for its services. The selection circuit then selects a service provider, based on price (and also other factors such as quality of service).

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for detecting an attempt by a said telecommunications resource user apparatus to initiate communications and, in response to said detecting generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit, and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

the pricing device and selecting device being arranged to generate and transmit a sequence of said pricing signals in a respective dialogue, to negotiate a said pricing level.

2. A communication system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for detecting an attempt by a said telecommunications resource user apparatus to initiate communications and, in response to said detecting, generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit; and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals; and

signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

the pricing level signals being indicative of a quantity of a payment resource representing an exchange of telecommunications services rather than money.

3. A communications system, comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit, and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

the or each selecting device being arranged to store data indicative of a level of performance of the resource supplied by each telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, and is for selecting a said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus based jointly upon said stored data and said pricing levels.

4. A communication system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for detecting an attempt by a said telecommunications resource user apparatus to initiate communications and, in response to said detecting, generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit; and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals; and

signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

each telecommunications resource supplier apparatus being arranged to generate and transmit feature signals indicative of technical characteristics of the resource it supplies so that said selecting device can use said feature signals as a part of the selection decision process.

5. A system according to claim 4, in which the technical characteristics relate to the quality of the resource.

6. A communications system comprising :

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit, and

a selecting device associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection,

each telecommunications resource supplier apparatus being arranged to generate and transmit signals indicative of technical characteristics of the resource it supplies,

the selecting device being arranged for selecting a said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus based jointly upon the technical characteristics and the pricing levels.

7. The system of claim 6, in which the selecting device is arranged to calculate an arithmetic combination depending jointly upon said technical characteristics and said pricing levels, and to select said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus based upon said arithmetic combination.

8. A communications system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit, and

a selecting device associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel for receiving each said pricing signal and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

the or each telecommunications resource user apparatus using telecommunications resources to supply telecommunications services to further users,

the telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprise a single commonly owned and controller telecommunications network, comprising means for crediting payment to the telecommunications resource supplier apparatus from the telecommunications resource user apparatus.

9. A communication system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for detecting an attempt by a said telecommunications resource user apparatus to initiate communications and, in response to said detecting, generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit; and

a selecting device, associated with each telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals; and

signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

each telecommunications resource user apparatus including customer terminal equipment for use by an individual customer and at least one of said selecting devices.

10. A system according to claim 9, in which the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprises an input device to input security data from a user, the system further comprising a memory containing stored data and being arranged to perform a security check to validate a user thereof prior to operation utilizing said security data and said stored data.

11. The system of claim 10, in which the input device is a keypad and the security data is a PIN.

12. The system of claim 9, in which the customer terminal equipment comprises a store which stores, for each resource supply transaction, the identity of the selected telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and the price level.

13. The system of claim 9, in which the customer terminal equipment comprises a cellular telephone and the signalling channel and each communications circuit include a radio channel.

14. The system of claim 9, in which the customer terminal comprises a computer work station for communicating audio, video and text data.

15. A communications system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit, and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

the or each telecommunications resource user apparatus comprising customer terminal equipment for use by an individual customer,

the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprising an insertable and removable portion carrying at least part of said pricing device, and a receiving inlet via which the insertable and removable portion being insertable and removable by a user without dismantling the telecommunications resource user apparatus.

16. A communications system comprising:

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource user apparatus;

at least one telecommunications resource supplier apparatus which is selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to a selected one of said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting each of said plurality of telecommunications resource user apparatus and said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the communications circuit; and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said telecommunications resource user apparatus on the basis of said pricing signals; and

controlling the telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit to the selected telecommunications resource user apparatus based upon said selection.

17. A system according to claim 16, in which the selecting device is arranged to transmit a sequence of signals indicative of a monotonically time-varying series of prices, and each said pricing device is arranged to receive said sequence of signals, and to transmit a pricing level acceptance signal when a received signal indicates a price corresponding to a predetermined level.

18. A system according to claim 16, in which the or each pricing device is arranged to calculate said pricing level based upon the level of demand of its associated telecommunications resource user apparatus for the resource.

19. A system according to claim 16, in which the or each pricing device is arranged to store data indicative of previous price levels for comparable resources.

20. A system according to claim 16, in which the pricing device and selecting device are arranged to generate and transmit a sequence of said pricing signals in a responsive dialogue, to negotiate a said pricing level.

21. A system according to claim 16, in which the or each telecommunications resource user apparatus further comprises means for using telecommunications resources to supply telecommunications services to further users.

22. A system according to claim 21, in which the telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprise a single commonly owned telecommunications network, further comprising means for crediting payment to the telecommunications resource supplier apparatus from the telecommunications resource user apparatus.

23. The system of claim 16, in which the selecting device transmits an initiating signal on said signalling channel prior to each resource supply transaction.

24. The system of claim 16, in which the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprises customer terminal equipment for use by an individual customer.

25. The system of claim 24, in which the customer terminal equipment comprises a cellular telephone and the signalling channel and each communications circuit includes a radio channel.

26. The system of claim 24, in which the customer terminal comprises a computer work station for communicating audio, video and text data.

27. The system of claim 16, in which the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprises an electronic payment device to transmit charging data signals, to enable credit in respect of said pricing level, via said signalling channel.

28. A telecommunications system comprising:

a telecommunications circuit provider apparatus providing a telecommunications circuit;

a telecommunications circuit user apparatus selectively connectable to said telecommunications circuit;

a first price negotiating device associated with the telecommunications circuit provider apparatus for generating and signalling a first sequence consisting of a plurality of price signals indicative of a price to be paid for use of said telecommunications circuit, and for receiving a second said sequence of said price signals;

a second price negotiating device associated with the telecommunications circuit user apparatus for generating and signalling said second sequence of price signals, and for receiving said first sequence of said price signals; and

a price signalling circuit interconnecting the first and second price negotiating devices, for carrying said price signals;

each of said negotiating devices performing an acceptance decision on the basis of a received said price signal, and signalling a further price signal in reply, whereby said first and second price signals form a responsive dialogue to negotiate a price level.

29. The system of claim 28, in which said price signals include an acceptance signal indicating acceptance of the price indicated by the preceding price signal.

30. The system of claim 28, in which said first price negotiating device is arranged to generate said first sequence of prices as a monotonic sequence of prices, until receipt of a price signal of said second sequence indicating acceptance of the preceding price signal of said first sequence, and said second price negotiating device is arranged to perform said acceptance decision on each price signal of said first sequence and to generate said acceptance signal in response to an acceptable price.

31. The system of claim 28, in which said second price negotiating device is arranged to generate said second sequence of prices as a monotonic sequence of prices, until receipt of a price signal of said first sequence indicating acceptance of the preceding price signal of said second sequence, and said first price negotiating device is arranged to perform said acceptance decision on each price signal of said second sequence and to generate said acceptance signal in response to an acceptable price.

32. A communications system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit, and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

wherein the or each telecommunications resource user apparatus comprises customer terminal equipment for use by an individual customer,

wherein the telecommunications resource user apparatus comprises an insertable and removable portion carrying at least part of said pricing device and a receiving inlet via which the insertable and removable portion is insertable and removable by a user without dismantling the telecommunications resource user apparatus, and

wherein the insertable and removable portion comprises a data-carrying card.

33. A telecommunications network comprising a first subsystem and a plurality of competing second subsystems via each of which the first subsystem may communicate, in which the second subsystems each include a price signalling circuit for signalling a price to be paid to the first subsystem and the first subsystem comprises a selecting device for selecting one of the second subsystems on the basis of the price signals, the first subsystem and the second subsystems comprising a single commonly owned and controlled telecommunications network, further comprising a billing system for arranging payment to the selected second subsystem from the first subsystem.

34. A control device for a telecommunications resource user apparatus, said control device comprising:

means for connecting said control device to a signalling channel,

means for generating and broadcasting, through the signalling channel to a plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus having respective associated communications circuits via any of which the telecommunications resource user apparatus is selectively connectable to communicate a competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the communications circuit;

means for receiving an acceptance signal from one of said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, and

means for initiating communication via the circuit associated with that apparatus.

35. A communication system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for detecting an attempt by a said telecommunications resource user apparatus to initiate communications and, in response to said detecting generating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit; and

a selecting device associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals; and

signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection;

the telecommunications resource user apparatus including an electronic payment device to transmit charging data signals to enable credit in respect of said pricing level, via said signalling channel.

36. A method of communicating via a telecommunications network which includes at least one telecommunications service user apparatus and a plurality of competing telecommunications services suppliers each of which is selectively operable to open a respective communications channel to the telecommunications service user, the method comprising the steps of:

signalling from said telecommunications service user to each of said telecommunications service providers to indicate a requirement for telecommunications service use;

calculating and signalling, in real time response to each new indicated requirement for telecommunications service use, a respective price level from each of said plurality of telecommunications service providers to said telecommunications service user;

selecting, at the telecommunications service user, one of said telecommunications service providers based on said signalled price levels;

opening a communications circuit between said telecommunications service user and said selected telecommunications service provider; and

effecting payment of the price level signalled by the selected telecommunications service provider.

37. The method of claim 36 in which said step of effecting payment consists of transmitting electronic charging signals via said telecommunications network to enable crediting in respect of said price level.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of storing data representing said selected telecommunications service provider and said price.

39. A method of communicating as in claim 36 wherein said calculating and signalling step includes at at least one telecommunication service provider:

signalling to further supplier apparatus, receiving price signals from said further supplier apparatus, and including said received price signals in the calculation of the pricing signal to be conveyed to the resource user apparatus.

40. A method of communicating via a telecommunications network which consists of a plurality of competing telecommunications service users and at least one telecommunications services supplier selectively operable to open a respective communications channel to each telecommunications service user, the method comprising the steps of:

signalling from said telecommunications service supplier to each of said telecommunications service users to indicate an available capacity for telecommunications service use;

signalling a respective price level from each of said plurality of telecommunications service users to said telecommunications service supplier;

selecting, at the telecommunications service supplier, one of said telecommunications service users based on said signalled price levels;

opening a communications circuit between said telecommunications service supplier and said selected telecommunications service user; and

effecting payment of the price level signalled by the selected telecommunications service user.

41. The method of claim 40 in which said step of effecting payment consists of transmitting electronic charging signals via said telecommunications network to enable crediting in respect of said price level.

42. A communications system comprising:

at least one telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a plurality of competing telecommunications resource supplier apparatus, each selectively operable to open a respective communications circuit to said telecommunications resource user apparatus;

a signalling channel, interconnecting said telecommunications resource user apparatus and each of said plurality of telecommunications resource supplier apparatus;

a pricing device associated with each said telecommunications resource supplier apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for detecting an attempt by a said telecommunications resource user apparatus to initiate communications and, in response to each said detecting of a new attempt to initiate communications, calculating and transmitting through the signalling channel a respective competing pricing signal indicative of a pricing level corresponding to the price to be paid for a resource supply transaction via the respective communications circuit; and

a selecting device, associated with the telecommunications resource user apparatus and connected to the signalling channel, for receiving each said pricing signal, and selecting a corresponding one of said transactions on the basis of said pricing signals, and signalling to the respective telecommunications resource supplier apparatus to open the respective communications circuit based upon said selection.

43. A communications system as in claim 42 wherein said pricing device includes:

means for signalling to further supplier apparatus, receiving price signals from said further supplier apparatus, and including said received price signals in the calculation of the pricing signal to be conveyed to the resource user apparatus.