Bidding for telecommunications traffic

• US 6,373,929 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AIP Acquisition LLC
• Original Assignee: Summit Telecom Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Jack J., Coyle, William F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N.
• Application Number:
  US09/537,046
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114, 379/115, 379/112, 379/120, 379/220, 379/221, 379/114.02, 379/114.03, 379/114.06, 379/114.07, 379/114.08, 379/114.09, 379/114.1, 379/114.12, 379/115.01, 379/121.02, 379/126, 379/221.01, 379/221.02
• US Class Current: 379/114.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• 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 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/50 for cross-charging network operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• 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 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• 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 2215/52 Interconnection, inter-exchange, reseller billing, billing agreements between different operators, e.g. billing identifier added on the CDR in order to cross charge the other operator, inter-operator accounting, reconciliation, bill directly resellers customers
• 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 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• 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 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 : Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13383 : Hierarchy of switches, main and subexchange, e.g. satellite exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 : multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 : routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13566 : mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors

Abstract

Because of technological and regulatory changes, telecommunication service is becoming more of a commodity, with competition between service providers for traffic. The herein disclosed invention stimulates this competition and facilitates a service provider'"'"'s and a consumer'"'"'s ability to make economic choices between competing telecommunication carriers. In this method and system, telecommunication switches route calls in accordance with economic incentives (e.g., least cost routing) resulting from a bidding process between participating telecommunication carriers (Carriers), administered by a bidding service provider through operation of a central processor, a computer referred to as a bidding moderator (Moderator). Some of these switches may be provisioned to treat every call attempt presented to them as a call attempt to be routed to the low-bidding Carrier. Other switches may be capable of handling call attempts from calling parties who are customers of the Moderator'"'"'s auction service and from other calling parties who are not. Call attempts can be differentiated by such switches based on, for example, classes of service or data field indicators, with or without an association with an unique calling party identifier.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first auction switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first auction switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first auction switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in an originating switch, including a caller identifier;

b) associating the caller identifier with a class of service that utilizes the first auction switch;

c) routing the call attempt to the first auction switch;

d) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

e) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

2. A method of claim 1 in which the step of associating the caller identifier with the class of service is performed at the originating switch.

3. A method of claim 1 in which the step of associating the caller identifier with the class of service is performed at an access tandem switch associated with the originating switch.

4. A method of claim 1 in which the processed data includes economic incentive data and the selecting is performed based on the economic incentive data.

5. A method of claim 1 in which the processed data includes Carrier selection data and the selecting is performed based on the Carrier selection data.

6. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first auction switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first auction switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first auction switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in an originating switch, including a caller identifier and a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized auction service user;

c) routing the call attempt to the first auction switch;

d) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

e) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

7. A method of claim 6 in which the step of confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized auction service user, is performed at the originating switch.

8. A method of claim 6 in which the step of confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized auction service user, is performed at an access tandem switch associated with the originating switch.

9. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first auction switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first auction switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first auction switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in an originating switch, including a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) associating the data field indicator with the auction service;

c) routing the call attempt to the first auction switch;

d) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

e) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

10. A method of claim 9 in which the step of associating the data field indicator with the auction service is performed at the originating switch.

11. A method of claim 9 in which the step of associating the data field indicator with the auction service is performed at an access tandem switch associated with the originating switch.

12. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing originating switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing originating switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing originating switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving in the first subscribing originating switch a call attempt including a caller identifier;

b) associating the caller identifier with a class of service that utilizes the processed data;

c) selecting the first Carrier based on the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

13. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing access tandem switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing access tandem switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing access tandem switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving in the first subscribing access tandem switch a call attempt including a caller identifier;

b) associating the caller identifier with a class of service utilizing the processed data;

c) selecting the first Carrier based on the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

14. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing originating switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing originating switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing originating switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving in the first subscribing originating switch a call attempt including a caller identifier and a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized auction service user;

c) selecting the first Carrier based on the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

15. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing access tandem switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing access tandem switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing access tandem switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving in the first subscribing access tandem switch a call attempt including a caller identifier and a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized user of the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier based on the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

16. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing originating switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing originating switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing originating switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving in the first subscribing originating switch a call attempt including a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) associating the data field indicator with the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier based on the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

17. A method of claim 16 in which the processed data includes economic incentive data and the selecting is performed based on the economic incentive data.

18. A method of claim 16 in which the processed data includes Carrier selection data and the selecting is performed based on the Carrier selection data.

19. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers, B) processing the economic incentive data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing access tandem switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing access tandem switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing access tandem switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving in the first subscribing access tandem switch a call attempt, including a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) associating the data field indicator with the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier based on the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

20. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first auction switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first auction switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first auction switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in an originating switch, including a caller identifier;

b) associating the caller identifier with a class of service that utilizes the first auction switch;

c) routing the call attempt to the first auction switch;

d) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

e) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

21. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a default Carrier.

22. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes rate information negotiated between a user and a contract Carrier designated by the user.

23. A method of claim 20 including specification of the time interval in which the user-specific data is valid.

24. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers acceptable to the user.

25. A method of claim 20 in which the plurality of users includes a telecommunication service reseller.

26. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points outside of a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

27. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points within a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

28. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a defined switching point as auction service calls.

29. A method of claim 20 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a first switching point of a defined plurality of switching points as auction service calls.

30. A method of claim 20 in which the step of associating the caller identifier with the class of service is performed at the originating switch.

31. A method of claim 20 in which the step of associating the caller identifier with the class of service is performed at an access tandem switch associated with the originating switch.

32. A method of claim 20 in which the processed data includes economic incentive data and the selecting is performed based on the economic incentive data.

33. A method of claim 20 in which the processed data includes Carrier selection data and the selecting is performed based on the Carrier selection data.

34. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer, A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first auction switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first auction switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first auction switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises:

a) receiving the call attempt in an originating switch, including a caller identifier and a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized user of the auction service;

c) routing the call attempt to the first auction switch;

d) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

e) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

35. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a default Carrier.

36. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes rate information negotiated between a user and a contract Carrier designated by the user.

37. A method of claim 34 including specification of the time interval in which the user-specific data is valid.

38. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers acceptable to the user.

39. A method of claim 34 in which the plurality of users includes telecommunication service resellers.

40. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points outside of a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

41. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points within a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

42. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a defined switching point as auction service calls.

43. A method of claim 34 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a first switching point of a defined plurality of switching points as auction service calls.

44. A method of claim 34 in which the step of confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized auction service user, is performed at the originating switch.

45. A method of claim 34 in which the step of confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized auction service user, is performed at an access tandem switch associated with the originating switch.

46. A method of claim 34 in which the processed data includes economic incentive data and the selecting is performed based on the economic incentive data.

47. A method of claim 34 in which the processed data includes Carrier selection data and the selecting is performed based on the Carrier selection data.

48. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first auction switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first auction switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first auction switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in an originating switch, including a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) associating the data field indicator with the auction service;

c) routing the call attempt to the first auction switch;

d) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

e) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

49. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a default Carrier.

50. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes rate information negotiated between a user and a contract Carrier designated by the user.

51. A method of claim 48 including specification of the time interval in which the user-specific data is valid.

52. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers acceptable to the user.

53. A method of claim 48 in which the plurality of users includes telecommunication service resellers.

54. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points outside of a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

55. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points within a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

56. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a defined switching point as auction service calls.

57. A method of claim 48 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a first switching point of a defined plurality of switching points as auction service calls.

58. A method of claim 48 in which the step of associating the data field indicator with the auction service is performed at the originating switch.

59. A method of claim 48 in which the step of associating the data field indicator with the auction service is performed at an access tandem switch associated with the originating switch.

60. A method of claim 48 in which the processed data includes economic incentive data and the selecting is performed based on the economic incentive data.

61. A method of claim 48 in which the processed data includes Carrier selection data and the selecting is performed based on the Carrier selection data.

62. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing originating switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing originating switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing originating switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in the first subscribing originating switch, including a caller identifier;

b) associating the caller identifier with a class of service that utilizes the processed data;

c) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

63. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing access tandem switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing access tandem switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing access tandem switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in the first subscribing access tandem switch, including a caller identifier;

b) associating the caller identifier with a class of service that utilizes the processed data;

c) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

64. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing originating switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing originating switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing originating switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in the first subscribing originating switch, including a caller identifier and a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized user of the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

65. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing access tandem switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing access tandem switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing access tandem switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in the first subscribing access tandem switch, including a caller identifier and a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) confirming that the caller identifier is associated with a caller that is an authorized user of the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

66. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing originating switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing originating switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing originating switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in the first subscribing originating switch, including a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) associating the data field indicator with the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

67. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a default Carrier.

68. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes rate information negotiated between a user and a contract Carrier designated by the user.

69. A method of claim 66 including specification of the time interval in which the user-specific data is valid.

70. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers acceptable to the user.

71. A method of claim 66 in which the plurality of users includes telecommunication service resellers.

72. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points outside of a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

73. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points within a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

74. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a defined switching point as auction service calls.

75. A method of claim 66 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a first switching point of a defined plurality of switching points as auction service calls.

76. A method for controlling a telecommunication network comprising, in a moderating computer:

A) collecting economic incentive data from each Carrier of a plurality of telecommunications Carriers and user-specific data from a plurality of users, B) processing the economic incentive data and user-specific data, C) distributing at least a portion of the economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers, and D) distributing processed data to at least a first subscribing access tandem switch equipped to implement an auction service, thereby enabling the first subscribing access tandem switch to select a first Carrier of the plurality of telecommunication Carriers for a call attempt presented to the first subscribing access tandem switch, based on an economic choice, wherein the method further comprises;

a) receiving the call attempt in the first subscribing access tandem switch, including a data field indicator associated with the auction service;

b) associating the data field indicator with the auction service;

c) selecting the first Carrier on the basis of the processed data; and

d) routing the call attempt to the first Carrier.

77. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a default Carrier.

78. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes rate information negotiated between a user and a contract Carrier designated by the user.

79. A method of claim 76 including specification of the time interval in which the user-specific data is valid.

80. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes designation of a portion of the plurality of telecommunications Carriers acceptable to the user.

81. A method of claim 76 in which the plurality of users includes telecommunication service resellers.

82. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points outside of a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

83. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at switching points within a defined geographic area as auction service calls.

84. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a defined switching point as auction service calls.

85. A method of claim 76 in which the user-specific data includes an instruction to treat all calls terminating at a first switching point of a defined plurality of