Alcatel

Markus Lehmacher

Stephan G Rupp

To establish a toll-free communication connection between a calling terminal (TE ) which is connected to a first communications network (KN ), and a called terminal, a connection request with a toll-free universal call number (IFN) is transmitted as a called number to the first communications network (KN ). In this case the toll-free universal call number (IFN) is provided by a service unit (SERV) of a second communications network (KN ). The first communications network (KN ) recognizes the connection request as one with a toll-free universal call number and an inquiry is then sent by the first communications network (KN ) to this service unit (SERV) of the second communications network (KN ). From the toll-free universal call number this service unit (SERV) then determines a toll-free local call number (LFN) of the first communications network (KN ), and returns same to the first communications network (KN ). The first communications network (KN ) subsequently establishes the requested connection in accordance with this determined toll-free local call number (LFN).

Method of establishing a toll-free communication connection, as well as a service unit, an exchange and a communications network

Known telecommunication systems according to which a calling subscriber can reach a user, whereby a part of the costs have to be paid by said calling subscriber and another part of the costs have to be paid by said called user, are unsufficiently suitable for business purposes. By making said user reachable via at least two different ways, or in other words, via at least two different numbers, with each way and number having its own billing method, said telecommunication system becomes sufficiently suitable for business purposes.

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Stuttgart, Germany

Markus Lehmacher