AU7707798A

AU7707798A - Providing selective reversal billing when calling roaming mobile subscribers

Info

Publication number: AU7707798A
Application number: AU77077/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Vladimir Alperovich; Eric Valentine
Original assignee: Ericsson Inc
Current assignee: Ericsson Inc
Priority date: 1997-05-30
Filing date: 1998-05-28
Publication date: 1998-12-30
Also published as: CA2291190A1; BR9809510A; GB2341522A; GB9927918D0; WO1998054920A1

Description

WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -1 PROVIDING SELECTIVE REVERSAL BILLING WHEN CALLING ROAMING MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunications network and, in particular, to the provision of a reversal billing feature for an incoming call connection towards a mobile station roaming within 10 a visited mobile telecommunications network. Description of Related Art With the advent of mobile telecommunications networks, a mobile subscriber is able to freely travel and utilize mobile service by way of a plurality of mobile 15 switching centers (MSCs) each providing mobile service over a respective geographic area. While effectuating a call connection between a telecommunications terminal, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) terminal, and a traveling mobile station, three different 20 types of call connections and associated charges are typically implicated. A first call connection between a calling party subscriber terminal and a gateway telecommunications node associated with the home mobile telecommunications network for the traveling mobile 25 station is established and charged accordingly. The calling party subscriber is typically responsible for the charges incurred for this first call connection. A second call connection is thereafter established from the gateway telecommunications node to a mobile switching center (MSC) 30 currently serving the traveling mobile station and associated with a visited mobile telecommunications network. For a mobile station traveling outside of its home mobile telecommunications network, the cost of rerouting such an incoming call connection from the home 35 mobile telecommunications network to the visited mobile WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -2 telecommunications network is typically charged to the traveling mobile station. Lastly, a radio connection between a serving base station and the traveling mobile station is further effectuated. Charges associated with 5 such an "air time" connection are further levied against the traveling mobile station. Unlike some European and Asian countries where mobile subscribers are assigned with distinguishably different mobile numbers (e.g., different prefixes), the United 10 States, for example, uses the same E.164 numbering plan for both wireline and mobile (wireless) telecommunications terminals. Because of such a non-distinction, a calling party subscriber is not able to ascertain that an effectuated call connection is towards a mobile station. 15 As a result, the mobile charges are typically charged to the called party mobile station. However, the costs of long-distance rerouting of an incoming call connection from the home network to a visited mobile telecommunications network serving a traveling mobile 20 subscriber can be expensive. A mobile subscriber has no control over incoming call connections and has to undesirably incur mobile call associated charges for answering each incoming call connection. Especially when the mobile station is roaming outside of the home mobile 25 telecommunications network, such charges for long-distance rerouting of an incoming call connection from the home mobile telecommunications network to the current visited mobile telecommunications network can be expensive. A number of methods and systems have been introduced 30 to alleviate some of the above mentioned problems. One such system bars incoming call connections when the called party mobile station is currently traveling outside of the home mobile telecommunications network. Other systems maintain a list of allowed directory numbers or access 35 codes, and only incoming call connections from allowed subscribers and/or directory numbers are terminated towards the called party mobile station. However, such WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -3 systems are either too restrictive or inconvenient. Furthermore, such systems do not provide the calling party subscriber with an option to pay for the rest of the call connection when the called party mobile subscriber refuses 5 to pay for the incoming call connection. Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism to enable a calling party subscriber to pay for charges associated with establishing a call connection towards a roaming mobile subscriber. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) associated with a home mobile telecommunications network serving a particular mobile station receives an incoming call 15 connection towards that mobile station. The GMSC thereafter queries a home location register (HLR) associated with the mobile station for routing instructions. By evaluating previously stored location data associated with the called party mobile station, the 20 HLR determines that the mobile station is currently roaming outside of the home mobile telecommunications network. Alternatively, the HLR may request a roaming number from a mobile switching center (MSC) currently serving the called party mobile station and make such a 25 determination from evaluating the provided roaming number. An appropriate indication is then returned to the requesting GMSC. The GMSC, in turn, provides another indication, such as an announcement message, over the received incoming call connection informing the calling 30 party subscriber of an option to pay for the rerouting of the call connection from the home mobile telecommunications network to a visited mobile telecommunications network currently serving the roaming mobile station. In response to an affirmative 35 determination, the GMSC reroutes the received incoming call connection to a mobile switching center (MSC) currently serving the roaming mobile station. Otherwise, WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -4 the received incoming call connection is rejected by the GMSC and the call connection fails. In one embodiment of the present invention, the HLR maintains a list of directory numbers, and in response to 5 a determination that the mobile station is currently roaming outside of the home mobile telecommunications network, the HLR compares a calling party directory number with the maintained list and instructs the GMSC to request reversal charging from the calling party subscriber if 10 there is a match. The calling party subscriber then has an option to pay for the rest of the mobile charges and effectuate the call connection towards the mobile station. In another embodiment of the present invention, the HLR maintains a list of directory numbers, and in response 15 to a determination that the mobile station is currently roaming outside of the home mobile telecommunications network, the HLR compares a calling party directory number with the maintained list and instructs the GMSC to request reversal charging from the calling party subscriber if 20 there is no match. For a matched directory number, a conventional call termination towards the roaming mobile station is effectuated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunications 30 network illustrating a calling party subscriber terminal establishing a call connection with a called party mobile station; FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating the different types of call 35 connections and charges involved in establishing a speech connection with a called party mobile station; WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -5 FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network providing reversal charging in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and FIGURE 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps 5 performed by a mobile telecommunications network to provide reversal charging in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating a calling party subscriber terminal 10 establishing a call connection with a called party mobile station 20. The calling party subscriber terminal 10 originates an outgoing call connection by dialing a 15 directory number associated with the called party mobile station 20. A local exchange (LE) or end office 30 connected to the wireline calling party terminal 10, for example, then receives the dialed directory number and transmits a call setup signal over a connected 20 telecommunications network 40. As an illustration, for a Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) based telecommunications network, an Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) based Initial Address Message (IAM) is transmitted with the dialed directory number as the called party 25 directory number (CdPn) and the directory number representing the calling party subscriber terminal 10 as the calling party number (CgPn). Utilizing the indicated CdPn as the destination address, the transmitted call setup signal is routed to a gateway mobile switching 30 center (GMSC) 50 associated with the home Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 60. Each home location register (HLR) 70 is assigned with a series of directory numbers (NPA-NXX-XXXX series) and by dialing a particular directory number within the assigned series, the 35 transmitted call setup signal is routed to the GMSC 50 associated with the appropriate HLR 60. As a result, a circuit connection between the local exchange 30 serving WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -6 the calling party subscriber terminal 10 and the GMSC 50 associated with the HLR 60 serving the called party mobile station 20 is established. Not knowing which mobile switching center / visitor 5 location register (MSC/VLR) 80 is currently serving the called party mobile station 20, the GMSC 50 then sends a query signal requesting routing instructions to the associated HLR 70. For example, within a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications network, a mobile 10 application part (MAP) based Send Routing Information (SRI) signal 90 is transmitted from the GMSC 50 to the HLR 70. The HLR 70, in turn, retrieves the network address representing the MSC/VLR 80A currently serving the mobile station 20 and transmits another signal 100 thereto. As 15 an illustration, the HLR 70 may transmit a Provide Roaming Number (PRN) signal 100 to the serving MSC 80A requesting a roaming number. In response, the serving MSC/VLR 80A provides the associated roaming number or address back to the requesting HLR via yet another MAP based signal 110. 20 The HLR 70, in turn, forwards the received roaming number back to the GMSC 50 via another MAP based signal 120. Utilizing the received roaming number representing the serving MSC/VLR 80A, the GMSC 50 reroutes the received incoming call connection thereto. As a result, a second 25 call connection 130 between the GMSC 50 and the serving MSC/VLR 80A is effectuated. The serving MSC/VLR 80A then pages the called party mobile station 20 and a radio interface 140 is effectuated therebetween. When the mobile station has roamed out of the home 30 PLMN 60 and into a visited (foreign) PLMN 60B (movement 150), the traveling mobile station 20 performs a location update with a new visited MSC/VLR 80B. The visited MSC/VLR 80B then informs the associated HLR 70 of the current location and further retrieves necessary 35 subscriber information therefrom (not shown). As a result, the HLR is updated with the current location associated with the traveling mobile station. The HLR 70 WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -7 subsequently utilizes the location data to reroute incoming call connections 160 from the GMSC 50 to the serving MSC/VLR 80B in a similar manner as fully described above. 5 Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is a block diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating the different types of call connections and charges associated with establishing a speech connection with a called party mobile station. When a mobile station 20 is traveling 10 outside of its home PLMN, basically three different types of call connections and associated charges are involved while effectuating a speech connection with a calling party subscriber terminal. A first call connection 40 exists between a local exchange 30 serving the calling 15 party subscriber terminal 10 and a gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) 50 associated with the home PLMN. Typically, the calling party subscriber 10 is responsible for charges incurred associated with the first call connection 40. The GMSC 50, in response to the receipt 20 of a roaming number representing a visited MSC/VLR 80 located within a visited PLMN, then forwards the received incoming call connection to the visited MSC/VLR 80. As a result, a second call (circuit) connection 160 is established therebetween. Since the calling party 25 subscriber 10 has no control over where the called party mobile subscriber 20 is located or traveling, the called party mobile subscriber is responsible for charges associated with the second call connection 160. Lastly, the visited MSC/VLR 80 pages the roaming mobile station 30 20, and upon receiving a response, allocates a traffic channel (TCH) and effectuates a radio interface 140 therebetween. The called party mobile subscriber is therefore charged "air time" for effectuating such a radio interface 140. 35 FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network providing reversal charging in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. An incoming call WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -8 connection 40 is received by a gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) 50 associated with a called party mobile station 20 as fully described above. The GMSC 50 then transmits a MAP based query signal 90, for example, to an 5 associated HLR 70 for routing instructions. While transmitting the connection-less MAP based query signal 90, the GMSC 50 further includes the calling party directory number and called party directory number associated with the incoming call connection therein. The 10 HLR 70 then transmits another MAP based signal 100 requesting a routing address, also known as a roaming number, to an MSC/VLR 80 currently serving the traveling mobile station 20. The MSC/VLR 80 then appropriately returns the roaming number to the requesting HLR 70 using 15 yet another connection-less signal 110. Alternatively, the serving MSC/VLR 80 may have already updated the HLR 70 with such a roaming number when the MSC/VLR 80 and the mobile station 20 performed the location update process 240. An application module 220 20 associated with the HLR 70 then evaluates the provided roaming number and determines that the mobile station is currently being served by a mobile switching center located outside of the home PLMN. In response to such a determination, the application 25 module 220 then includes an appropriate return code instructing the GMSC 50 to perform reversal billing within a signal 120 transmitted to the GMSC 50. The return signal 120 further contains the requesting roaming. An application module 200 associated with the GMSC 50 30 receives the return signal 120 containing the roaming number and the return code and determines that the traveling mobile subscriber is refusing to accept the incoming call connection unless the calling party subscriber is willing to pay for the rest of the call 35 connection. The application module 200 then transmits such an indication to the calling party subscriber terminal over the already established incoming call WO 98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -9 connection 40. As an illustration, the application module 200 instructs an announcement machine 210 to play an appropriate announcement message over the incoming call connection 40. An associated recognizer (REC) 250 then 5 receives acknowledgment or consent from the calling party subscriber over the incoming call connection 40 and accordingly informs the application module 200. For example, the calling party subscriber may indicate whether the subscriber is willing to pay for the rest of the call 10 connection by inputting a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal. A DTMF recognizer 250 then receives the transmitted DTMF signal and informs the application module 200 of the associated response. In response to an indication that the calling party 15 subscriber is willing to pay for the long-distance rerouting of the incoming call connection from the serving GMSC 50 to the visited MSC/VLR 80, the GMSC 50 transmits yet another call setup signal with the received roaming number as the new called party number (CdPn). Since the 20 necessary roaming number has already been received from the associated HLR 70, there is no need for the GMSC 50 to communicate MAP messages therewith. As a result, a second call connection 160 is established therebetween. In contrast to the conventional charging method, a 25 produced billing statement, such as a toll ticket (TT), then indicates that the calling party subscriber is responsible for the second call connection 160. Alternatively, without sending the MAP based signal 100 to the serving MSC/VLR 80, the HLR 70 is able to 30 determine that the called party mobile station is currently roaming within a visited mobile telecommunications network by evaluating a network address associated with the serving MSC/VLR 80 and previously updated during the last location update procedure. The HLR 35 70 then instructs the GMSC 50 to inform the calling party subscriber of the mobile station's refusal to accept the call and requests the calling party subscriber to pay for WO98/54920 PCTIUS98/11034 -10 the rest of call connection related charges. In response to an affirmative determination, the GMSC then informs the HLR, which in turn, transmits the MAP signal 100 requesting a roaming number to the serving MSC/VLR 80. 5 Upon receiving the requested roaming number from the MSC/VLR 80, the HLR 70 then forwards the roaming number to the GMSC 50 in a conventional manner. The incoming call connection is then accordingly rerouted to the serving MSC/VLR 80. 10 As another embodiment of the present invention, the calling party subscriber may further be requested to pay for the air-interface 140 between the serving MSC/VLR 80 and the traveling mobile station 20. Accordingly, the calling party subscriber may be responsible for all three 15 types of call connections and associated charges. As yet another embodiment of the present invention, the serving HLR 70 is further associated with a register (R) 230 for storing a list of allowed directory numbers. Accordingly, when a query 90 is performed for an incoming 20 call connection originated from a calling party subscriber associated with one of the allowed directory numbers, the HLR and the GMSC effectuates the call connection in a conventional manner. As a result, the received incoming call connection 40 is rerouted 160 without requesting the 25 calling party subscriber to pay for the call. Alternatively, the register (R) 230 may further store an access code. The access code is retrieved from the register (R) 230 by the application module 220 when the called party mobile station is traveling outside of the 30 home PLMN and provided to the requesting GMSC 50. The GMSC 50 then plays an announcement machine instructing the calling party subscriber to pay for the call connection. In response to such an indication from the GMSC 50 to pay for the rest of the call connection, the calling party 35 subscriber may instead enter the valid access code and have the call connection terminated in a conventional manner.

WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -11 As yet another embodiment of the present invention, the register (R) 230 associated with the application module 220 instead stores a list of disallowed directory numbers. When a incoming call connection is received from 5 one of the disallowed directory numbers, reversal billing as fully described above is effectuated. Otherwise, a conventional call routing is performed. FIGURE 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed by a mobile telecommunications network to 10 provide reversal charging in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. A home mobile telecommunications network associated with a called party mobile station receives an incoming call connection at step 300. Such an incoming call connection is effectuated 15 by receiving a connection-less ISUP based IAM signal. As the IAM signal is routed to the home PLMN, a corresponding circuit (speech) connection is established therewith. The received IAM signal includes the CgPn representing the calling party subscriber terminal and CdPn representing 20 the called party mobile station. As fully described above, the incoming IAM signal is received by a gateway mobile telecommunications node, such as a gateway mobile switching center (GMSC), associated with the home PLMN. The GMSC then attempts to ascertain the current location 25 of the traveling called party mobile station by transmitting a query signal, such as a Mobile Application Part (MAP) based Send Routing Information (SRI) signal, to an associated HLR at step 310. The transmitted SRI signal includes the CdPn and CgPn associated with the 30 received incoming call setup signal. The HLR then determines whether the indicated called party mobile station is currently roaming outside of the home PLMN. Such a determination can be made by evaluating the network address associated with the serving MSC/VLR currently 35 serving the traveling mobile station as fully described above. Alternatively, the HLR can transmit another MAP based signal requesting a roaming number to the serving WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -12 MSC. The HLR then makes such a determination by evaluating the received roaming number. In response to such a determination, the HLR returns an indication back to the requesting GMSC to effectuate 5 reversal billing on the received incoming call connection at step 320. As an alternative, the HLR may further screen the received CgPn with a list of allowed/disallowed directory numbers to ascertain whether such a billing method should be performed. The GMSC then receives the 10 indication from the HLR and plays an announcement message over the established incoming call connection to inform the calling party subscriber of the called party mobile subscriber's refusal to accept and to pay for the incoming call connection at step 330. The announcement message 15 then asks whether the calling party subscriber is willing to be charged for the rest of the mobile call connections. The GMSC then instructs an associated recognizer, such as a DTMF recognizer, to receive and evaluate data (answer) inputted by the calling party subscriber at step 340. In 20 response to an affirmative response from the calling party subscriber (yes decision link) at step 350, the GMSC reroutes the received incoming call connection to the serving MSC/VLR at step 370. Appropriate billing parameters and data are set to generate a billing 25 statement charging the calling party subscriber for the effectuate call connection to the serving MSC/VLR. On the other hand, if the calling party subscriber refuses to accept the charges, the incoming call connection is rejected and the call connection fails at 30 step 360. The GMSC further plays an announcement message informing the calling party subscriber of such a failure. Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the 35 foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications WO 98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -13 and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for charging for a call connection within a mobile telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of: 5 receiving a first call connection at a gateway telecommunications node within a first mobile telecommunications network associated with a called party mobile station, said first call connection originated by a calling party subscriber terminal; 10 determining that said called party mobile station is roaming within a second mobile telecommunications network; transmitting a message to said calling party subscriber terminal inquiring whether said calling party subscriber terminal is willing to pay for a second call 15 connection between said gateway telecommunications node and said called party mobile station; and in response to an affirmative determination: establishing said second call connection between said gateway telecommunications node and 20 said called party mobile station; and charging said calling party subscriber terminal for said second call connection; otherwise, rejecting said first call connection originated by 25 said calling party subscriber terminal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said gateway telecommunications node comprises a gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) within a first Public Land Mobile 30 Network (PLMN) associated with said called party mobile station.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of determining that said called party mobile station is 35 roaming within said second mobile telecommunications network further comprises the steps of: WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -15 querying a centralized database within said first PLMN maintaining data associated with said called party mobile station; and receiving an indication from said centralized 5 database that said called party mobile station is roaming outside of said first PLMN.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said centralized database further comprises a register for storing a list 10 of calling party directory numbers, and said step of determining whether said called party mobile station is roaming outside of said first PLMN further comprises the steps of: comparing a directory number representing said 15 calling party subscriber terminal with said list of calling party directory numbers stored at said register; and transmitting said indication to said GMSC if said directory number has a match within said list of calling 20 party directory numbers.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said centralized database further comprises a register for storing a list of calling party directory numbers, and said step of 25 determining whether said called party mobile station is roaming outside of said first PLMN further comprises the steps of: comparing a directory number representing said calling party subscriber terminal with said list of 30 calling party directory numbers stored at said register; and transmitting said indication to said GMSC if said directory number does not have a match within said list of calling party directory numbers. 35

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said centralized database comprises a home location register (HLR). WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -16

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting said message to said calling party subscriber terminal further comprises the step of playing an announcement by said gateway telecommunication node 5 informing said calling party subscriber terminal of said pay option.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said second call connection comprises a call connection between said 10 gateway telecommunications node and a visited mobile switching center (MSC) currently serving said called party mobile station.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said second call 15 connection further comprises a radio connection between a base station serving said called party mobile station and said called party mobile station.

10. A method for charging an incoming call 20 connection within a mobile telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a query at a home location register (HLR) associated with a home mobile telecommunications network associated with a particular called party mobile station, 25 said query transmitted by a gateway telecommunications node and requesting routing instructions for an incoming call connection originated by a calling party subscriber terminal; determining whether said called party mobile station 30 is traveling outside of said home mobile telecommunications network; and if yes, charging a call connection between said gateway telecommunications node and a mobile switching 35 center (MSC) serving said called party mobile station to said calling party subscriber terminal; otherwise, WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -17 charging said call connection to said called party mobile station.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of 5 determining whether said called party mobile station is traveling outside of said home mobile telecommunications network further comprises the steps of: receiving a network address associated with a mobile switching center (MSC) currently serving said called party 10 mobile station; and evaluating said network address to determine whether said serving MSC is located within said home mobile telecommunications network. 15

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of charging said call connection to said calling party subscriber terminal further comprises the steps of: transmitting an indication to said calling party subscriber terminal inquiring whether said calling party 20 subscriber is willing to pay for said call connection between said gateway mobile telecommunications node and said MSC serving said called party mobile station; receiving an answer from said calling party subscriber terminal; and 25 in response to an affirmative answer, charging said call connection to said calling party subscriber terminal; otherwise, rejecting said incoming call connection. 30

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of transmitting said indication further comprises the step of playing an announcement by said gateway telecommunications node over said incoming call connection. 35 WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -18

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of charging said call connection to said calling party subscriber terminal further comprises the steps of: receiving a directory number associated with said 5 calling party subscriber terminal at said HLR; comparing said directory number with a list of directory numbers stored at a register associated with said HLR; and charging said call connection if there is a match. 10

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of charging said call connection to said calling party subscriber terminal further comprises the steps of: receiving a directory number associated with said 15 calling party subscriber terminal at said HLR; comparing said directory number with a list of directory numbers stored at a register associated with said HLR; and charging said call connection if there is no match. 20

16. A telecommunications node associated with a home mobile telecommunications network for charging an incoming call connection originated by a calling party subscriber terminal towards a called party mobile station, 25 said called party mobile station currently being served by a mobile switching center (MSC) and said incoming call connection received by a gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) associated with said home mobile telecommunications network, comprising: 30 a first register for storing a network address representing said MSC; and a first application module for determining whether said called party mobile station is currently traveling outside of said home telecommunications network by 35 evaluating said network address stored at said first register, and in response to an affirmative determination, said application module charging said calling party WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -19 subscriber terminal for rerouting said incoming call connection from said GMSC to said serving MSC.

17. The HLR of claim 16 further comprising a second 5 register for storing a list of disallowed directory numbers and said application module charges said calling party subscriber terminal if a directory number representing said calling party subscriber terminal is included within said stored disallowed directory number. 10

18. The HLR of claim 16 further comprising a second register for storing a list of disallowed directory numbers and said application module charges said calling party subscriber terminal if a directory number 15 representing said calling party subscriber terminal is included within said stored disallowed directory number.

19. A gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) for rerouting a received incoming call connection towards a 20 called party mobile station, said called party mobile station associated with a home location register (HLR) located within a home mobile telecommunications network and currently being served by a particular mobile switching center (MSC), comprising: 25 means for querying said HLR for routing instructions regarding said received incoming call connection; means for receiving an indication from said HLR informing said GMSC that said called party mobile station is currently outside of said home mobile 30 telecommunications network; means for inquiring said calling party subscriber terminal as to whether said calling party subscriber terminal is willing to pay for a call connection from said GMSC to said MSC currently serving said called party 35 mobile station; and means responsive to an affirmative determination for rerouting said received incoming call connection from said WO98/54920 PCT/US98/11034 -20 GMSC to said MSC and otherwise, rejecting said received incoming call connection.

.20. The GMSC of claim 19 wherein said means for 5 inquiring said calling party subscriber terminal further comprises an announcement machine for playing an announcement message over said received incoming call connection.