Bearer path resource matching in a wireless communication network

Abstract

Call setup in a wireless communication network that includes a circuit fabric and a packet fabric. The originating MSCe receives an origination message including a call termination identifier, and a predictive bearer path matching mode is determined. When the originating MSCe is in a first predictive bearer path matching mode, the originating MSC generates a bearer resource preference list based upon the termination identifier. The bearer resource preference list includes a predetermined priority order of a plurality of bearer path resource identifiers including at least one of a packet bearer resource identifier and a circuit bearer resource identifier. When the originating MSCe is in a second predictive bearer path matching mode, the MSCe generates a bearer resource preference list to indicate whether the originating MSCe couples to a packet bearer resource or a trunk bearer resource. The originating MSCe sends, in response to the origination message, the bearer resource preference list to an originating base station controller (BSC). The originating BSC matches an available bearer path resource of the originating BSC based upon the bearer resource preference list.