Importance

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Abstract

A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a called party is disclosed. Once the dialed digits are received at a switching office serving the calling party, a determination is made of whether the call is directed to a portable number. In a first embodiment, if the call is directed to a portable number, a TCAP query is launched from the originating office to an SCP. At the SCP, the dialed digits are translated to obtain new routing information. The new routing information, which is returned to the originating office is used to create an Initial Address Message (IAM) containing the calling and called party's numbers to enable said call to reach said terminating office associated with the new routing information. In a second embodiment, the new routing information is obtained from a directory number table resident at the originating office. If the dialed digits contain an area code indicative of a toll call, the originating office forwards the call directly to a tandem exchange, where the determination is made of whether the dialed digits are associated with a portable number.

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First Claim