Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.

J Alfred Baird

Robert H Montgomery

Robert D Farris

A system and method is provided for using underused or unused local telephone company local loops to subscriber premises for providing to such premises a connection to an alternate service provider having a common channel signaling controlled switched network. The use of the local loop is leased to the service provider at a rate dependent upon the usage of the circuit. Information and data to permit efficient and convenient billing for leased usage of the loops is implemented by linking the common channel signaling control network of the telephone network and the common channel signaling control network of the service provider network. Common channel signaling control signals indicating call set-up and call tear-down are transmitted by the service provider's common channel signaling network to and stored in the telephone common channel signaling network in the storage of the controller therein to permit billing therefrom. Alternatively call set-up and tear-down are signaled by signals utilizing transaction capabilities application part (TCAP) protocol.

Telecommunications network circuit usage measurement

A system and method is provided for using underused or unused local telephone company local loops to subscriber premises for providing to such premises a connection to an alternate service provider. The use of the local loop is leased to the ultimate service provider at a rate dependent upon the usage and nature of usage of the circuit. Information and data to permit efficient and convenient billing for leased usage of the loops is implemented by providing on the local loop a passive monitor. The monitor detects and temporarily stores data relating to the commencement and termination of the signaling, the time of day, and the nature of the signaling that occurs. Data collected from the monitors is stored at a monitor center from which it is transferred to a billing operation such as the telephone company Revenue Accounting Office (RAO). Switching is provided to permit optional usage of the loop by either the telephone company of the alternate service provider or both. The use of a single local loop by multiple alternate service providers is also possible.

A system and method is provided for using underused or unused local telephone company local loops to subscriber premises for providing to such premises a connection to an alternate service provider. The use of the local loop is leased to the ultimate service provider at a rate dependent upon the usage and nature of usage of the circuit. Information and data to permit efficient and convenient billing for leased usage of the loops is implemented by providing on the local loop a passive monitor. The monitors are connected with a signal switching point (SSP) and deliver a dialed number. The dialed number contains information regarding the commencement or termination of the usage of an identified local loop and an identification of the nature of such usage. This dialed number triggers the SSP to formulate a message containing the information and forward the same to a service control point (SCP). The SCP contains a database for storing and processing the information. The usage information is periodically downloaded to a billing office for billing to the alternate service provider and/or customer.

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Fairfax Station, VA, United States of America

J Alfred Baird