Utilization of a local exchange network by a plurality of local network operators

• US 20030190033A1
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH & Co. KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Lantermann, Jurgen
• Granted Patent: US 7,215,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/242
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1302 Relay switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1304 Coordinate switches, crossbar, 4/2 with relays, coupling field
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13104 Central control, computer control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13149 Change of provider, e.g. network or service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54533 Configuration data, translation, passwords, databases

Abstract

The invention relates to an exchange (1) for connecting telecommunications terminals (2a 2n) of subscribers to a telecommunications network, comprising subscriber lines (TL) via which the respective telecommunications terminals (2a 2n) are linked with the exchange (1). Said exchange (1) is operated by a first network operator and is used by further network operators. The subscriber lines (TL) and subscribers are associated with one of said network operators each and the subscribers select the exchange (1) via the telecommunications terminals (2a 2n) to establish a telecommunications link via the respective network operator The invention further relates to a method for operating an exchange that is used in the inventive exchange (1).

Claims

1. Switching center (1) for connecting telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n) of subscribers to a telecommunications network, with subscriber lines (TL), by way of which each telecommunications terminal (2a . . . 2n) is connected with the switching center (1),

the switching center (1) being operated by a first network operator and used by other network operators, each subscriber line (TL) and each subscriber being assigned to one of these network operators, and each subscriber, to establish a telecommunications connection, dialing up the switching center (1) by way of the respective network operator assigned to them with the telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n).

2. The switching center (1) according to claim 1, characterized by

first intermediate exchange lines for connecting the switching center (1) with additional switching centers, the intermediate exchange lines being assigned to several network operators.

3. The switching center (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by

second intermediate exchange lines for connecting the switching center (1) with one or more additional switching centers, which serve as a so-called interconnect gateway (IG) for the transition of a telecommunications connection from the telecommunications network of one network operator to the telecommunications network of another network operator.

4. The switching center (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

the transition of a telecommunications connection from the telecommunications network of one network operator to the telecommunications network of another network operator takes place in the switching center (1).

5. The switching center (1) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized by

a central control device (4) for controlling functions that relate to the telecommunications connection, in each instance, depending on the network operator to whom each subscriber is assigned in the switching center (1).

6. The switching center (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that

the central control device (4) carries out routing of the telecommunications connection, depending on the network operator to whom each subscriber is assigned in the switching center (1).

7. The switching center (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that

the central control device (4) carries out the calculation of charges for the telecommunications connection, depending on the network operator to whom each subscriber is assigned in the switching center (1).

8. The switching center (1) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that

the central control device (4) carries out control of the functions that relate to the telecommunications connection, based on the switching center functions “

origination dependent routing” and

“

origination dependent zoning.”

9. The switching center (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

the subscriber lines (TL) serve to connect analog telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n).

10. The switching center (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

the subscriber lines (TL) serve to connect ISDN telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n).

11. The switching center (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

the subscriber lines (TL) serve to connect telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n) for data transmission using xDSL transmission methods.

12. The switching center (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

the subscriber lines (TL) serve to connect telecommunications terminals using packet-oriented transmission methods.

13. Method for operating a switching center (1) for connecting telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n) of subscribers to a telecommunications network, with subscriber lines (TL), by way of which each telecommunications terminal (2a . . . 2n) is connected with the switching center (1),

the switching center (1) being operated by a first network operator and used by other network operators, each subscriber line (TL) and each subscriber being assigned to one of these network operators, and the subscribers, to establish a telecommunications connection, dialing up the switching center (1) by way of the respective network operator assigned to them with the telecommunications terminals (2a . . . 2n).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that

functions that relate to the telecommunications connection in each instance are controlled as a function of the network operator to whom each subscriber is assigned in the switching center (1).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that

routing of the telecommunications connection is carried out as a function of the network operator to whom each subscriber is assigned in the switching center (1).

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that

the calculation of charges for the telecommunications connection is carried out as a function of the network operator to whom each subscriber is assigned in the switching center (1).

17. The method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that

control of the functions that relate to the telecommunications connection is carried out on the basis of the switching center functions “

origination dependent routing” and

“

origination dependent zoning.”

18. The method according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that

the switching center (1) is administered by the first network operator.

19. The method according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that

the transition of a telecommunications connection from the telecommunications network of one network operator to the telecommunications network of another network operator takes place in the switching center (1).

20. The method according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that

the transition of a telecommunications connection from the telecommunications network of one network operator to the telecommunications network of another network operator takes place by way of an additional switching center.