System for the extended provision of cellular mobile radiotelephone service

• US 4,901,340 A
• Filed: 09/19/1988
• Issued: 02/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Syniverse Technologies Incorporated (Syniverse Corp.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Mobilnet Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Saroka, Harold G., Parker, Terry S., Didion, Edward L., Lyle, Elmer, Crouse, Randall L., Horton, Harold E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/246,582
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 379/60, 379/58, 379/59, 379/57, 379/63, 455/33, 455/34, 455/12, 455/54, 455/56, 455/58, 455/32, 340/825.44, 340/825.54, 340/311.1, 340/313
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/12 between location registers or mobility servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A technique for enabling a peregrinating Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone (CMR) subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area (that is, an area outside his home service area), calls placed to his MID at his home service area. A roaming processor is coupled through a cable or LAN to a switch associated with a foreign MTSO and is coupled, preferably through a private data network, to a switch associated with the subscriber'"'"'s home MTSO. Within the roaming processor resides a program that detects the reception at the foreign switch of a predetermined code indicating that calls placed to the roamer'"'"'s home MID are to be forwarded to the foreign MTSO. Subsequent to the "validation" of the roamer and to the performance of certain software housekeeping tasks, the roamer is assigned a Temporary Directory Number (TDN) for use in the remote service area. The FMR processor then commands the subscriber'"'"'s home MTSO switch to forward calls, placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID at the home MTSO, to the TDN. Calls are subsequently forwarded, via the PSTN, from the subscriber'"'"'s home MTSO to the foreign MTSO.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area, the method comprising the steps:

(a) receiving at a foreign service area MTSO request information indicating that the roaming CMR subscriber desires to receive, in the foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area;

(b) validating the roaming subscriber;

(c) upon validation of the roaming subscriber, assigning the roaming subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN) for use in the foreign service area; and

(d) providing command information to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO so as to enable the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO to call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

2. A method for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 1 wherein, according to Step (a), the foreign service area MTSO receives a predetermined code initiated by the roaming CMR subscriber.

3. A method for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 2 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the roaming CMR subscriber at a control unit included in a mobile unit.

4. A method for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 1 wherein, according to Step (d), the command information is provided to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO via a communications link between the home service area MTSO and the foreign service area MTSO.

5. A method for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 4 wherein the command information constitutes a command to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO to call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service.

6. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area, the method comprising the steps:

(a) accepting a predetermined code initiated by the subscriber, which code indicates that calls received in the subscriber'"'"'s home area to his MID are to be forwarded outside his home service area;

(b) assigning the roaming subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN), to which TDN calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area are to be forwarded; and

(c) commanding an MTSO in the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

7. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 6 wherein, prior to either Step (b) or Step (c), a step is performed whereby the subscriber is validated.

8. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 7 wherein the subscriber is validated by affirmatively determining, according to predetermined criteria, that the subscriber'"'"'s home service area is a service area from which calls may be forwarded to a service area in which the subscriber is roaming.

9. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 7 wherein the subscriber is validated by affirmatively determining that the subscriber is authorized to receive calls in his home service area.

10. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 9 wherein the subscriber is validated by additionally affirmatively determining, according to predetermined criteria, that the subscriber'"'"'s home service area is a service area from which calls may be forwarded to a service area in which the subscriber is roaming.

11. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 7 wherein the subscriber is validated by affirmatively determining that the ESN associated with the mobile unit used by the subscriber is an ESN that has not been denied service and by affirmatively determining that the subscriber is authorized to receive calls in his home service area.

12. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 11 wherein the subscriber is validated by additionally affirmatively determining, according to predetermined criteria, that the subscriber'"'"'s home service area is a service area from which calls may be forwarded to a service area in which the subscriber is roaming.

13. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 7 wherein the subscriber is validated by affirmatively determining that the ESN associated with the mobile unit used by the subscriber correlates positively with the MID associated with the mobile unit the subscriber is using, by affirmatively determining that the ESN associated with the mobile unit used by the subscriber has not been denied service, and by affirmatively determining that the subscriber is authorized to receive calls in his home service area.

14. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID to be automatically forwarded to a service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 13 wherein the subscriber is validated by additionally affirmatively determining, according to predetermined criteria, that the subscriber'"'"'s home service area is a service area from which calls may be forwarded to a service area in which the subscriber is roaming.

15. An apparatus for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area, the apparatus comprising a computer for coupling both to a switch associated in the home service area and to a switch associated with the roaming service area and programmed to:

(1) receive information indicating that calls placed to the home service area are to be forwarded to the foreign service area;

(2) assign the subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN) in the foreign switch; and

(3) command the home switch to forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the home service area.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the computer is programmed to validate the subscriber as a prerequisite to either Step (1) or Step (2).

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the computer is programmed to validate the subscriber as a prerequisite to both Step (1) and Step (2).

18. A CMR system that automatically forwards, to a foreign service area outside a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area, calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s home service area, the system comprising:

home MTSO means associated with the home service area and including a home switch for receiving calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID;

foreign MTSO means associated with a foreign service area and including a foreign switch;

control computer means coupled to the home switch and to the foreign switch for (1) receiving information indicating that calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home MTSO are to be forwarded to the foreign MTSO;

(2) assigning the CMR subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN) in conjunction with the foreign switch for use in the foreign service area; and

(3) providing information to the home switch that enables the home switch to forward, to the TDN at the foreign switch, calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in the home service area.

19. A CMR system as defined in claim 18 wherein the control computer means is operable for validating the CMR subscriber before assigning the TDN and before providing information to the home switch that enables the home switch to forward calls to the TDN.

20. A CMR system as defined in claim 18 wherein the information received by the control computer means indicating that calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home MTSO are to be forwarded to the foreign MTSO is information derived from a predetermined code initiated by the CMR subscriber and transmitted through a control head associated with a mobile unit.

21. A CMR system as defined in claim 20 wherein the control computer means is operable for validating the CMR subscriber before assigning the TDN and before providing information to the home switch that enables the home switch to forward calls to the TDN.

22. A CMR system as defined in claim 21 wherein validating by the control computer means includes affirmatively determining, according to predetermined criteria, that the subscriber'"'"'s home service area is a service area from which calls may be forwarded to the foreign service area.

23. A CMR system as defined in claim 22 wherein validating by the computer means includes affirmatively determining that the subscriber is authorized to receive calls in his home service area.

24. A CMR system as defined in claim 23 wherein validating by the computer means includes determining in the affirmative that the ESN associated with the mobile unit is an ESN that has not been denied service.

25. A CMR processing system for automatically enabling predetermined calls placed to a home CMR service area to be forwarded to a foreign service area, the system comprising:

(i) means associated with the foreign service area for receiving information that predetermined calls placed to the home service area are to be directed to the foreign service area;

(ii) means associated with the foreign service area for assigning a temporary directory number (TDN) to which the calls are to be directed; and

(iii) means associated with the foreign service area for providing information to the home service area so as to enable the home service area to direct the calls to the TDN.

26. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 25 wherein the means recited in claim 25, clause (i) includes program instructions that respond to the reception at the foreign service area of a code initiated by or on behalf of a roaming CMR subscriber.

27. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 26 wherein the program instructions respond to a code entered at a CMR mobile unit.

28. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 25 further comprising:

(iv) means for determining whether the predetermined calls are entitled to be forwarded from the home service area to the foreign service area.

29. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 28 wherein the means recited in claim 28, Clause (iv) includes a first set of program instructions for affirmatively determining, according to predetermined criteria, that the home service area is a service area from which calls may be forwarded to the foreign service area.

30. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 29 wherein the predetermined calls are intended to be received at a mobile unit that has been assigned a particular MID and a particular ESN and wherein the first set of program instructions affirmatively determines that the ESN has not been denied service in the home service area and that the home service area will accept and place calls to the MID.

31. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 30 wherein the means recited in claim 25, Clause (i) includes program instructions that respond to the reception at the foreign service area of a code initiated by or on behalf of a roaming CMR subscriber.

32. A CMR processing system as defined in claim 31 wherein the program instructions respond to a code entered at a CMR mobile unit.

33. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area, the method comprising the steps:

(a) receiving at a foreign service area MTSO a request indicating that the CMR subscriber desires to receive, in the foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area;

(b) validating the roaming subscriber;

(c) upon validation of the roaming subscriber, assigning the roaming subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN) for use in the foreign service area;

(d) accessing the subscriber'"'"'s feature package in his home service area and ensuring that the feature package includes Call Forwarding for the purpose of enabling the subscriber to receive calls in the foreign service area; and

(e) providing information to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO so as to enable the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO to call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

34. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 33 wherein, according to Step (a), the foreign service area MTSO receives a predetermined code initiated by the CMR subscriber.

35. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 34 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the CMR subscriber at a control head included in a mobile unit.

36. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 33 wherein, according to Step (e), the information is provided to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO via a communications link between the home service area MTSO and the foreign service area MTSO.

37. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 36 wherein, according to Step (e), the information constitutes a command to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO to call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

38. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 37 wherein, according to Step (a), the foreign service area MTSO receives a predetermined code initiated by the CMR subscriber.

39. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 38 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the CMR subscriber at a control head included in a mobile unit.

40. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 33 wherein, upon the receipt of a request according to Step (a), a determination is made whether the request is a duplicate request.

41. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 40 wherein, according to Step (a), the foreign service area MTSO receives a predetermined code initiated by the CMR subscriber.

42. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 41 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the CMR subscriber at a control head included in a mobile unit.

43. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 40 wherein, according to Step (e), the information is provided to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO via a communications link between the home service area MTSO and the foreign service area MTSO.

44. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 43 wherein, according to Step (e), the information constitutes a command to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO to call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

45. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 44 wherein, according to Step (a), the foreign service area MTSO receives a predetermined code initiated by the CMR subscriber.

46. A method for enabling a CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area as defined in claim 45 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the CMR subscriber at a control head included in a mobile unit.

47. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area, the method comprising the steps:

(a) receiving a request indicating that calls received in the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to his MID are to be forwarded to the foreign service area;

(b) determining whether the request is a duplicate request;

(c) validating the subscriber, that is, verifying that calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to his MID are entitled to be transferred to the foreign service area;

(d) upon validation of the subscriber, assigning the subscriber a temporary directory number, TDN, to which TDN calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area are to be forwarded;

(e) accessing the subscriber'"'"'s feature package in his home service area and ensuring that the feature package includes Call Forwarding for the purpose of enabling the subscriber to receive calls in the foreign service area; and

(f) commanding an MTSO in the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

48. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 47 wherein the request comprises a predetermined code initiated by the subscriber and received by an MTSO in the foreign service area.

49. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 48 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the subscriber at a control head included in a mobile unit.

50. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 47 wherein, according to Step (f), commanding is effected via a communications link between the home service area and the foreign service area MTSO.

51. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area, as defined in claim 50 wherein the request comprises a predetermined code initiated by the subscriber and received by an MTSO in the foreign service area.

52. A method for activating a procedure that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area, as defined in claim 51 wherein the predetermined code comprises information entered by the subscriber at a control head included in a mobile unit.

53. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area, the method comprising the steps:

(a) receiving an activation request indicating that calls received in the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to his MID are to be forwarded to the foreign service area;

(b) determining whether the activation request is a duplicate request;

(c) assigning the subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN), to which TDN calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area are to be forwarded; and

(d) commanding an MTSO in the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area.

54. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 53 wherein, in accordance with Step (b), a determination is made whether the duplicate request is a valid duplicate request or an invalid duplicate request.

55. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 54 wherein:

(i) if the duplicate request is determined to be a valid duplicate request, the subscriber is re-activated, and

(ii) if the duplicate request is determined to be an invalid duplicate request, the duplicate request is substantially discarded.

56. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 55 wherein, as a prerequisite to Step (c), the subscriber is validated, that is, it is verified that calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s home service area are entitled to be transferred to the foreign service area.

57. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 56, wherein the method comprises the additional step:

(e) accessing the subscriber'"'"'s feature package in his home service area and ensuring that the feature package includes Call Forwarding for the purpose of enabling the subscriber to receive calls in the foreign service area.

58. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 53 wherein, in response to an activation request, a data record is created, which data record contains the subscriber'"'"'s MID and a TDN.

59. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service as defined in claim 58 wherein:

a plurality of data records is established, said data records each containing an MID; and

in response to said activation request, a search is made of the then-existing data records to identify a match, if any, between the subscriber'"'"'s MID and the MID in each of the respective, then-existing data records.

60. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 59 wherein, if a match is identified, a determination is made that the activation request is a duplicate request.

61. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 60 wherein, in accordance with Step (b) a determination is made whether the duplicate request is a valid duplicate request or an invalid duplicate request.

62. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 61 wherein:

(i) if the duplicate request is determined to be a valid duplicate request, the subscriber is re-activated, and

(ii) if the duplicate request is determined to be an invalid duplicate request, the duplicate request is substantially discarded.

63. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 62 wherein, as a prerequisite to Step (c), the subscriber is validated, that is, it is verified that calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s home service area are entitled to be transferred to the foreign service area.

64. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 63, wherein the method comprises the additional step:

(e) examining the subscriber'"'"'s feature package in his home service area and, if a determination is made that the subscriber does not have Call Forwarding in that feature package, adding Call Forwarding to that feature package for the purpose of enabling the subscriber to receive calls in the foreign service area.

65. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 58 wherein the data record contains the time of activation, if there has in fact been an activation, corresponding to the activation request.

66. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 65 wherein:

a plurality of data records is established, said data records each containing an MID; and

in response to said activation request, a search is made of the then-existing data records to identify a match, if any, between the subscriber'"'"'s MID and the MID in each of the respective, then-existing data records.

67. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 66 wherein, if a match is identified, a determination is made that the activation request is a duplicate request.

68. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 67 wherein, in accordance with Step (b) a determination is made whether the duplicate request is a valid duplicate request or an invalid duplicate request.

69. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 68 wherein the duplicate request is determined to be a valid duplicate request if the time of activation contained in the data record that resulted in the identification of a match is at least a predetermined length of time earlier than the time of the then-pending activation request.

70. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 69 wherein:

(i) if the duplicate request is determined to be a valid duplicate request, the subscriber is re-activated, and

(ii) if the duplicate request is determined to be an invalid duplicate request, the duplicate request is substantially discarded.

71. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 70 wherein, as a prerequisite to Step (c), the subscriber is validated, that is, it is verified that calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s home service area are entitled to be transferred to the foreign service area.

72. A method for activating a process that enables calls placed to a CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically forwarded to a foreign service area outside the CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area as defined in claim 71, wherein the method comprises the additional step:

(e) accessing the subscriber'"'"'s feature package in his home service area and ensuring that the feature package includes Call Forwarding for the purpose of enabling the subscriber to receive calls in the foreign service area.

73. In a method for enabling a roaming CMR subscriber to automatically receive, in a foreign service area, calls placed to his home service area, which method comprises the steps:

(a) receiving at a foreign service area MTSO an activation request indicating that the roaming CMR subscriber desires to receive, in the foreign service, calls placed to his home service area;

(b) validating the roaming subscriber;

(c) upon validation of the roaming subscriber, assigning the roaming subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN) for use in the foreign service area; and

(d) providing command information to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO so as to enable the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s home service area MTSO to call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the roaming CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in his home service area, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING;

(e) determining whether the activation request is a duplicate application request.

74. As improvement as defined in claim 73 wherein Step (e) is performed by searching then-existing data records to identify a match, if any, between the CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID and the MID in each of the respective then-existing data records and, if a match is identified, determining that the activation request is a duplicate activation request.

75. An improvement as defined in claim 74 wherein, when a duplicate activation request is detected, a determination is made whether the duplicate activation request is a valid duplicate activation request or an invalid duplicate activation request.

76. An improvement as defined in claim 75 wherein:

(i) if the duplicate request is determined to be a valid duplicate request, the subscriber is re-activated, and

(ii) if the duplicate request is determined to be an invalid duplicate request, the duplicate request is substantially discarded.

77. An improvement as defined in claim 76 wherein, if a time of activation contained in the data record that resulted in the identification of a match is at least a predetermined length of time earlier than the time of the then-pending duplicate activation request, the then-pending duplicate activation request is determined to be a valid duplicate activation request.

78. In a CMR system that includes a home MTSO associated with a home service area of a CMR subscriber, said home service area for receiving calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s MID, and that includes a foreign MTSO associated with a foreign service area, an apparatus for causing calls placed to the subscriber'"'"'s home service area to be automatically call forwarded to the foreign service area when the subscriber is present in the foreign service area, the apparatus comprising a processor for coupling, via a communications link, to the home MTSO, said processor comprising:

(i) means for receiving information indicating that the CMR subscriber is present in the foreign service area,

(ii) means for assigning the CMR subscriber a temporary directory number (TDN) in conjunction with the foreign MTSO for use in the foreign service area, and

(iii) means for providing information to the home MTSO that enables the home MTSO to automatically call forward, to the TDN, calls placed to the CMR subscriber'"'"'s MID in the home service area.