DE19964189A1 - Managing utilisation of interconnections between communications networks by routing local connections via interconnection to second network and back to first network - Google Patents

Abstract

Data is transmitted between a calling and a called (9) telecommunications unit, firstly via the first communication network (3), which carries local communications, and then transferred to the second communication network (6). To achieve the desired utilisation of the interconnections, the telecommunications connections for local communications are routed from the first network via an interconnection (5) to the second network, and from this network back to the first network, or further to a third communications network. The first communications network then switches the connection to the called telecommunications unit (9). An Independent claim is included for a communications system for managing the utilisation of interconnections.

Description

The invention relates to a routing device and a Telecommunications facility for managing the utilization of Intercon nect connections via which a first communication network with a second communication network is interconnected (In terconnection).  

Background of the Invention

With the liberalization of the telecommunications market in Germany and other countries are among the former Monopolists additional providers of telecommunications services joined. These usually have via its own so-called backbone network, but not via data lines to the individual end users. Around To achieve this is a recourse to the network of former monopolists, in Germany the Deutsche Tele kom AG, required (bridging the "last mile").

For interconnection between the communication networks of the former monopolists and other providers of Telecommunication services are so-called intercon nect connections provided. These are in essentially by 2 Mbit / s lines (E1 groups), which the Connect networks. Each assignment of a data channel on the Intercon Connection to the former monopolist is a definite one Interconnection fee payable.

The private provider of telecommunications services have had a large number of Intercon in recent years nect connections established. The average occupancy the interconnect is usually below 50%. During the interconnect connections during the Spit times in the late afternoon and early evening in the Usually busy, the load is to others Time of day low. It should be borne in mind that the alternative service providers so far only regional and long distance connections including international and mobile communications conveying something or something, that is, utilization must be done solely through such connections.  

The fluctuating or low utilization of the Interconnectan conclusions may arise due to the business policy framework lead to serious problems. For example ver the former monopolist may have a basic problem load on the interconnect connections and when they are not traveling payment of an additional fee for the interconnection services. In this context it is e.g. B. think cash that is required by the alternative service provider is that the interconnect connections on a daily average have an occupancy rate of at least 50%. Further business policy requirements can be made that the alternative service provider must guarantee that a certain percentage of connection requests about that Communication network of the alternative service provider success are rich.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object a routing Facility and a telecommunications facility to manage the Interconnect utilization is available too bodies that fulfill business policy or host a certain desired utilization the interconnect connections. In particular, should an essentially constant high utilization of the Intercon nect connections can be achieved without the interconnectan conclusions are overloaded.  

Summary of the invention

This task is accomplished according to the invention by a routing on direction with the features of claim 1 and a TK-Ein direction solved with the features of claim 6. Advantage adhesive and preferred embodiments of the invention are in specified in the subclaims.

The solution according to the invention is based on a method in to achieve a desired utilization of the Intercon nect connections TK connections that affect local traffic fen, from a first communication network (the communicati Network of the former monopolist who runs the data lines to the individual end participants) via an intercon nect connection to a second communication network (the Communication network of an alternative service provider) and from this either back to the first communication network or routed to a third communication network become. The connection to the called TC unit is then switched through in the first or third communication network. If a third communication network is used, is also another gateway from third communicati onsnetz to the first communication network within the Erfin dung.

This increases the utilization of interconnect connections sen achieved in that in the first communication network data to be transmitted with the interposition of a two th communication network, which in itself no local connections mediated, and for everyone Direction of transmission a data channel of an interconnectan in the end. For the alternative service provider is such an economic process  score quite reasonable. For one, the Intercon busy connections. On the other hand, they are too tough interconnection fees are usually below of the fees that the former monopoly for the manufacturer a local connection is required. This allows local association offered at a cheaper rate.

The routing device according to the invention has:

• a) Means that the dialing information with outgoing calls an identifier that indicates the existence of a local association coded, and
• b) means depending on information or command len the establishment of a communication network the number of the calls that end with: an identifier relating to the A local connection must be provided.

The TC device according to the invention has:

• a) Averaging the identifier in the dialing information Recognize local connections, which have an assigned In terconnect connection is routed to the device, and the connection when the identifier is available via the In Route the connection back or to another In continue to connect the connection, and
• b) means that monitor the utilization of the assigned Intercon nect connection and send this information to routing devices ( 1 , 2 ) and / or a management system.

In the invention, it must be ensured that this is not the case many telecommunications connections that affect local traffic Interconnect connections that are routed for the more important regional and long-distance connections blocked or are occupied. The only thing of interest is about those available a sensible addition to regional and long-distance calls Interconnect utilization is available too put. It depends on this, only so much local connection to pass on the interconnect connections that this are reasonably busy, but are not overloaded. For this according to the invention there is an exchange of information between a switch that connects to an interconnect Associated sides of the network of the alternative service provider is net, and routing facilities that set in what number of local calls over the network of the alternative Service provider to be routed.

The one assigned to an interconnect connection is monitored Switch the load on the interconnect connection and shares this information with the individual routing facility tion and / or a management system with. Due to the The utilization of the interconnect connections is then determined To what extent the routing facilities routes via the alternative communication network. How the alternative communication network is already explained only used to the extent that the data from the interconnect to the assigned switch and from Switch immediately returned to the first communication network be tested.  

The TK connections can from the second communication network via the same interconnect connection to the first communication tion network can be routed back. It can also be provided be that the TK connections from the second communication network via a further interconnect connection to the first Communication network can be routed back. On routes of the Telecommunications connections to a third communication network there is also another interconnect connection dung.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention in the case of a calling TC unit that has a local connection of a called TC unit wishes routing via Interconnect connection in that the call number of the calls a defined TK unit when signaling ID is added. This is for example on the one hand assign the dial-in number to the second communication cation network and on the other by a defined additional number mer that a specific regional or long distance connection concerns. For example, it is a specific one Number in the Bahamas that is not used per se.

The associated local exchange of the first communica tion network routes the connection based on the added th identifier to an interconnect connection to the second Communication network. The additional number is required to ensure that the connection request actually is routed to the second communication network. So are the local exchanges such as Deutsche Telekom AG programmed in such a way that local connections in the own network generally not forwarded to another network become.  

The switch assigned to the interconnect connection recognizes then based on the identifier that it is a local connection acts, and immediately routes the connection to the first Communication network back or forward to a third commu network. Before doing so, he removes the added one ID and add the desired location ID, if this is not yet included in the dialing information.

Description of preferred embodiments

The invention is described below with reference to the Figures of the drawing using several exemplary embodiments explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a telecom infrastructure;

Fig. 2 is a flowchart when establishing a connection;

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the method steps of a switch assigned to an interconnect when monitoring the load of the interconnect and

Fig. 4 shows an alternative telecommunications infrastructure.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a telecommunications infrastructure on which the invention is based. At an ISDN-S _2m connection or ISDN-S ₀ connection, several telecommunications units (TC units) 1 , in the exemplary embodiment shown ISDN telephones, are connected on the subscriber side via a local bus. The subscriber line is assigned a least cost router (LCR) 2 , which controls a connection establishment and clearing of the connections of the telecommunications units 1 . If necessary, a telecommunications system (not shown) is additionally provided, to which the telecommunications units 1 are initially connected. The least-cost router 1 is then arranged between the telecommunications system and the associated switching center. Such arrangements are known per se to the person skilled in the art.

The TC units 1 are connected to a first communication network 3 (TC network 1 ) via the S _2m or S ₀ interface. This has numerous local subscriber switching centers VS ( 4 ). Via so-called interconnect connections (IK) 5 , the first telecommunications network 3 is connected to a second telecommunications network 6 (telecommunications network 2 ). The interconnect 5 provides a network transition between the first communication network 3 and the second communication network 6 . Each Inter connect connection 5 is directly assigned to a switch 7 on the side of the second communication network 6 , which switches the switching and the connection control of the incoming and outgoing connections via the Inter connect connection 5 .

The connection 8 between a switching center 4 and an interconnect 5 represents a 2 Mbit / s line according to the PCM 30 system. It thus has 30 speech channels and two signaling channels. Alternatively, 31 speech channels and one signaling channel are provided. 15 Incoming and 15 outgoing calls can thus be connected via each Inter connect connection 5. A certain fee has to be paid to the operator of the communication network 3 for each call connection.

It is pointed out that only one Intercon nect connection 5 is shown in FIG. 1. In fact, however, a plurality of essentially identical interconnect connections are provided between the first communication network 3 and the second communication network 6 , in order to enable an effective interconnection of the communication networks.

At the first telecommunications network 3 further telecommunications units 9 are connected to which a connection can be established by the first telecommunications unit 1 .

The method for managing the utilization of the Intercon nect connections 5 is explained in detail with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2.

First, the least-cost router 2 evaluates information relating to the current load on the interconnect connections 5 (step 201 ). The least-cost router 2 receives this information from an interconnect 5 associated switch 7 or a management system, as will be described. Based on the information regarding the load on the interconnect connections 5 , the least-cost router 2 , alternatively by the management system, alternatively directly by the switch 7 determines the extent to which local connections are routed via the second communication network 6 in the manner described below should be (step 202 ).

For example, it is determined that every second local call is to be routed via the second communication network 6 on the least-cost router 2 .

With these connections, the LCR 2 adds an identifier when the dialing information relating to the connection to a called TC unit 9 is signaled (step 203 ). This identifier consists in a preferred embodiment, on the one hand in the dial-in number (CARRIER) of the second communication network 6 and on the other hand in an additional number (OVK - local connection identifier) which relates to a regional or long-distance connection. This is explained using an example.

For example, the call number or destination address is CP (Called Party Number) 399 28 00. Since it is a local connection, the CP has no area code. For routing the connection to the second communication network 6 , the LCR 2 places the dial-in number of the second communication network 6 in front of the CP. It uses internal routing tables to determine which communication network is the cheapest. As an example, it is assumed that the second communication network is the network of the provider TALKLINE with the dial-in number 01050.

For reasons that will become apparent later, in addition to the dial-in number (CARRIER) of the second communication network, the area code of a specific international connection is added. For example, the number 005922, which affects the city of Georgetown in the state of Goyana, is added as an additional number (OVK). The digit sequence of the dialing information after leaving the LCR 2 is therefore 01050 005922 3992800, the digits "01050" identifying the carrier, the digits "005922" the international number and the digits "399 28 00" the number CP of the called party 9 .

This dialing information is now sent to the switching center 4 (step 204 ). On the basis of the added identifier, the connection request is routed from the switching center 4 via the 2 Mbit / s line 8 to the interconnect 5 , which provides the gateway to the network 6 of the alternative carrier (in the aforementioned embodiment of the provider TALKLINE). The switching center 4 forwards the connection request based on the added identifier to the second communication network 6 . The additional number (005922) was therefore added to ensure that routing to the second communication network 6 actually takes place. For example, the switching center 4 may provide that calls relating to local connections are in principle not routed to an alternative carrier, even if the dial-in number of the alternative carrier is specified.

The connection request is in the exemplary embodiment described now routed from the switching center 4 via the Intercon nect connection 5 to the assigned switch 7 of the second telecommunications network 6 . If the Interconnectan 5 should be busy due to overload, this is signaled to the LCR 2 , which then carries out an alternative routing. In the event that the interconnectan 5 is not busy, the switch 7 now recognizes from the added identifier, in particular the added additional number (OVK), that this is a local connection (step 205 ). The switch then removes the added identifier from the dialing information (step 206 ) and adds the area code, which it determines from the area code of the calling subscriber.

Alternatively, the area code is already added in LCR 2 , so that the number in the aforementioned example was "01050 005922 30 3992800". Alternative signaling methods are also possible, for example using the address in the SETUP protocol data element of the ISDN standard.

The connection is then routed immediately back to the first telecommunications network 3 via the Intercon nect connection 5 . The connection request is therefore not routed further into the second telecommunications network 6 , but is immediately returned to the first telecommunications network 1 (step 207 ). However, it is also possible for the connection to be routed back to the first communications network 3 not via the interconnect connection 5 , but rather another interconnect connection between the two networks 3 , 6 .

A connection to the called terminal 9 is now established via the first telecommunications network 3 (step 108 ). The connection request is possibly routed back from the interconnect 5 to the same switching center 4 , but possibly also to another switching center of the first communication network 3 .

After establishing the connection, there is now a data transmission from the calling TC unit 1 to the called TC unit 9 via the first telecommunications network 3 (or the switching center 4 ), from this to the interconnect 5 and further to the switch 7 of the second telecommunications network 6 , from switch 7 back via the interconnect 5 (or another interconnect) to the first telecommunications network 3 and from there to the called terminal 9 . In this case, a data channel is occupied at the interconnect connection 5 in each transmission direction.

The costs incurred are the same as the costs to be paid to the operator of the first communication network 3 for occupying a channel at the interconnect connection 5 . These costs are generally below the costs that the operator of the first communication network 3 requires for the establishment of a local connection.

The method is based, so to speak, on the trick that a local connection via the first communication network takes a "detour" via the second: communication network, which, if desired, leads to an additional load on an interconnect connection 5 used here with one data channel per transmission direction.

It is pointed out that an assignment of data channels of an interconnect 5 has to be carried out in a controlled manner, ie only to an extent that a sensible utilization in addition to the assignment of interconnects by regional and long-distance calls takes priority. As shown in FIG. 3, the switch 7 assigned to the interconnect connection 5 monitors the utilization of the interconnect connection 5 (step 301 ). In particular, it is monitored to what extent the interconnect unit 5 is used by regional and long-distance calls or to what extent it is busy by local calls (step 302 ). It is also monitored how many connection requests via interconnect 5 are successful (step 303 ) and how many calls are rejected due to overload. For example, the operators of a second communication network 6 must generally guarantee that a certain percentage of the connection requests, approximately 50%, are successful.

Based on the information relating to the utilization of the interconnect unit 5 , the switch generates signaling information which it forwards to the LCR 2 or a management system. In this way, there is a feedback to the LCRs 2 , which cause the local connections to be routed via the second communication network 6 . For example, the switch 7 notifies a management system or one or more LCRs 2 that the interconnect unit 5 is 80% busy and therefore no local calls are to be routed to the interconnect unit. In another example, the switch determines that the interconnect unit is only 20% full and therefore a certain number of local calls are to be sent to the intercon unit 5 .

For communication between a switch 7 of the second communication network and an LCR 2 , for example, signaling takes place on a signaling channel, for example a signaling channel of a PCM30 system. Alternatively, a specific data channel between the LCR 2 and the switch 7 can be kept free for the signaling. Signaling can also take place as in-band signaling.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative telecommunications infrastructure shows, in the second communication network 6 via interconnect connectors 5 '(of which for reasons of clarity, in turn, only one - is shown - schematically) to a third communications network 10 (TC network 3) is connected to the also if local connections mediate. With basically the same method as described in relation to the previous figures, here switch 7 continues to route a connection to the third communication network 10 , with the local connection to the end device 9 'being established via a further switch 11, for example.

It can also be provided that from the third communication network 10 there is again a network transition to the first communication network 3 (not shown) and the local connection in the first communication network 3 to the called terminal is put through.

It should be noted that the invention has been described above in relation to digital ISDN networks. With fundamentally the same methods and the same TC infrastructure, however, it is also possible to implement the invention with analog subscriber terminals. The additional identifier would then be added to the call number CP of the called subscriber in the LCR 2 , for example by DTMF signals or direct pulse dialing. From the level of the switching center 4 , data transmission then only takes place digitally anyway.

Claims (11)

1. Routing device for the management of the load of interconnect connections via which a first communication network is connected to a second communication network

• a) means that provide the dialing information for outgoing calls with an identifier that encodes the presence of a local connection, and
• b) means which, depending on information or commands from a facility in a communication network, determine the number of calls which are provided with an identifier relating to the existence of a local connection.

2. Routing device according to claim 1, wherein between the routing device ( 2 ) and a switch ( 7 ), which is assigned to an interconnect connection ( 5 ) and monitors the load on the interconnect connection ( 5 ), or between the routing Device ( 2 ) and a management system connected to the switch, an information transfer takes place as to whether and to what extent local calls are provided with an identifier relating to the existence of a local connection. 3. Routing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ro uting device ( 2 ) for local calls routing via an interconnect connection ( 5 ) in that the number of a called TC unit ( 9 ) in the signaling a defined identifier is added so that the associated local exchange ( 4 ) of the first communication network ( 3 ) routes the connection based on the added identifier to an interconnect connection ( 5 ) to the second communication network ( 6 ). 4. Routing device according to claim 3, wherein the identifier has on the one hand the call number of the second communication network and on the other hand an additional number (OVK) which relates to a regional or long-distance connection, the switch ( 7 ) assigned to the interconnect connection being based on the additional number ( OVK) recognizes that it is a local connection. 5. Routing device according to at least one of the claims 1 to 4, with the routing device participating is arranged at the end. 6. TC device, in particular switch, for managing the load on interconnect connections, via which a first communication network is interconnected with a second communication network, with

• a) means which recognize in the dialing information the identifier of a local connection, which is routed to the device via an associated interconnect connection, and which, if the identifier is present, route the connection back via the interconnect connection or route it to a further interconnect connection, and
• b) means that monitor the utilization of the assigned Intercon nect connection and send this information to routing devices ( 1 , 2 ) and / or a management system.

7. TC device according to claim 6, wherein the TC device is arranged directly behind an interconnect connection ( 5 ) of the second communication network ( 6 ). 8. Telecommunications device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the telecommunications device manages a switch matrix of the connections carried out via the respective interconnect connection ( 5 ). 9. TK device according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the TK device monitors how many connec tion requests are successful via the interconnect connection ( 5 ), and this information to a routing device ( 1 , 2 ) and / or sends a management system. 10. TK device according to at least one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the TK device rejects from a definable utilization of the interconnect ( 5 ) local connections related connection requests. 11. TK device according to at least one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the TK device ( 7 ) on the basis of a set number (OVK) in the signaling information recognizes that it is a local connection.