Importance

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Abstract

A smart network interface device (SNID), connects between the drop cable of a telephone line and customer premises wiring. To provide backup for the telephone line service, the SNID includes a wireless-to-landline interface. In response to detection of a fault in the telephone line, a controller activates a switch in the SNID. The switch changes the connection of the customer premises wiring over from the telephone line to the wireless-to-landline interface. When service switches to wireless communication, the wireless-to-landline interface registers with the public wireless telephone network. That wireless network assigns a temporary directory number to the interface and instructs the public switched landline telephone network to forward all subsequent calls for the customer through the wireless network using the temporary directory. All subsequent incoming and outgoing calls to and from the customer premises telephone utilize wireless communication. To the customer, however, the service essentially is indistinguishable from service provided via the telephone line.

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First Claim