FI116019B - voicemail Service - Google Patents

Description

Voicemail Service ^ f 6 O 1 9

The invention relates to a method for implementing an answering service for a telephone network subscriber according to the preamble of claim 1.

More particularly, the invention relates to a voicemail service for a mobile communication network and mobile communication users.

In the prior art, the voicemail service of a mobile communication network is typically implemented by a separate voicemail system connected to the mobile communication network. Calls to the voicemail service are routed to the voicemail system to a separate 10 voicemail number, either through call forwarding or through intelligent network systems. As the call moves to the person's voicemail, the caller can leave the message after the initial greeting. The voicemail system records the left message on a recording, typically on a hard disk, and sends a notification of the incoming voice message to the voicemail client. In GSM-based mobile networks, notification is typically sent as 15 Short Message Service (SMS) messages. Some voicemail services also use other methods of service. For example, the voicemail service may call the desired customer after this mobile station is connected to the mobile network.

•. The most common way to retrieve a voicemail from a voicemail is to call a separate voicemail number, whereby the call is routed directly to the voicemail system.

,,, tJ 20 The voicemail system has an interface through which the end customer can listen * #; . ·. voice messages, record greetings, change your password and change various settings.

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In some known voicemail services, all voicemail service customers have a single voicemail contact number. So in such a service

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| : When decrypting messages, end customers will call your voicemail service number, which is the same for • 4 25 all customers of your mobile operator. The voicemail service system then identifies the customer's A-subscriber identity, i.e. the calling subscriber's domain, and directs the call to the correct voicemail. If the A-subscriber ID is not received, the voicemail service * * · *: asks the caller to key in either the mobile network subscription number or *: ·: the voicemail number.

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Typically, various interfaces are built into the voicemail system. When you sell a voicemail product, you need the provisioning tools and interface to enter the data into the voicemail system. A separate user interface is required for service operators to process subscriber data.

5 Voicemail products are typically implemented using a system built for this purpose by a system vendor. Such a voicemail system allows a large number of different features. The system vendor will be paid maintenance and license fees based on the size of the system.

In contrast, service operators will in most cases provide a voicemail product to the end customer for free at the time of subscription. Voicemail is considered as an additional service that entices people to open or even switch from another operator.

The voicemail product also generates additional revenue because the voicemail service allows all calls to be answered. For this reason, too, service operators tend to provide a voicemail service as a subscription feature so that all customers have 15 voicemails, so that all otherwise missed calls would end up in voicemail. This is possible with existing voicemail systems, but providing a voicemail system to all end customers requires significant investment in voicemail systems.

In this case, the increase in turnover will no longer cover the cost of expanding and operating the voicemail system.

• ·. 20 In addition, for most end-users, a very simple and easy basic answering service would be sufficient for answering service. Such customers want their calls to end

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\ '', J to your answering machine if you cannot or cannot answer the call. End Customer

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in this case, it is important to have easy access to the caller information and the message left.

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Only a small percentage of end customers need more advanced voicemail products.

• 1 • 1 »25 These include, for example, business customers who must be able to: ·. '. tell the caller more information on the voicemail greeting. Therefore, the service operator may; ' "; be reluctant to invest significant sums in modern answering systems and their access rights, as most customers would need only i 1,. ,,; the basic service. On the other hand, the service operator needs a large voicemail capacity just to provide this basic service.

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It has further been found that end-users of mobile operators generally have major difficulties in understanding call transfer. Even more difficult for end-users seems to be setting up call diversions themselves from the terminal, and often mobile operators have to make their own decision to set up call diversions on their voicemail service.

5 If call forwarding is not defined, the voicemail service will not be activated and the service operator will lose revenue.

Also, reserving a large number space for all end customers requires resources from the mobile operator, which in turn generates costs and additional maintenance work. This problem is often solved by designing the intelligent network-based call control 10 to be performed by overdecadered telephone numbers. Thus, the end-customer answering service telephone number could contain other than numeric symbols 0-9, typically A-F, thus using a hexadecimal number system. For the end user, however, the situation may seem to be that his calls are routed to the voicemail service correctly, but calling himself 15 to his own voicemail causes additional problems. For example, the problem may be that the end customer does not remember the service number of the intelligent network when calling from abroad to his / her own answering machine. This intelligent network number must include a service that asks the end customer to which voicemail his call should be routed to and redirects the call to the correct voicemail.

• · • i * 20 Another difficulty from the end-customer's point of view may be that he or she does not remember his or her own j. ': Mobile number or voicemail number. On the other hand, long number saqa keying often has its own difficulties, especially for older customers, j ', · The end result is that end-users may have difficulty calling their own voicemail to access their 25 foreign cellular networks without the A-subscriber ID Forward a call: Included with your network voicemail service. When the A · subscriber ID is lost from abroad • · '· *', the user must at least remember and key in about 30 digits. These digits consist of the following numeric digits: a) a smart phone service telephone number for routing a call to the answering service (about 10-15 digits-30 characters), b) a personal answering number (about 10-15 digits ·: ··) for entering the service, and c) your password (about 4-6 digits). Intelligent network services can simplify and, to some extent, facilitate the use of an answering machine. Such 116019 4 ease-of-use solutions typically result in significant additional costs for the voicemail provider.

It would therefore be beneficial for the service provider if the voice mail technology could be developed to provide easy access to a large number of customers with less investment 5.

US 2003/0099334 A1 discloses a system for converting a voice message sent to a voicemail service into a file format and sending the file to the recipient by e-mail. A similar system is also described in US 2002/0176548 A1.

10 In the solution of the latter publication, the call to the voicemail service is routed through a packet switched network to a media server, where the voice message is received and stored in digital form. The file will then be forwarded as an email attachment.

The advantage of the solutions presented in the publications is that the voicemail messages 15 left in the voicemail service do not have to be stored in the voicemail system for a long time, but the voicemails can be destroyed immediately after sending the e-mail. In this way, the capacity of the answering system can be reduced and cost savings can be achieved.

·: ··· On the other hand, the solutions described in US 2003/0099334 AI and US 2002/0176548 AI may further complicate the operation of the voicemail service because voicemail:: 20 services must have a database that specifies 'i' for each number you want · .' email address. Therefore, setting up and maintaining your voicemail service is · more complicated than standard voicemail solutions.

The email-based solution also does not relieve the burden of users who do not have an email address at all.

. ·. The object of the invention is to further develop the technology related to voice mail services and '. endeavor to create a voicemail service that is simple to use for the end customer and that can be provided at a relatively low cost by the operator providing the service.

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The invention is based on the identification of:: · · · the original selected domain name, or B subscriber identity, for calls requiring a voice mail service. If the B-subscriber ID is not automatically obtained from the telephone network, the caller ID can also be requested. The voice message left by the caller 5 116G19 is converted to a file format defined in the service and forwarded to the original domain or other derivative derived therefrom for transmission to the call. For example, in a digital mobile communication system (MMS) supporting multimedia messaging service (MMS), such as GPRS or UMTS-5, missed calls may be routed to a voicemail server for receiving and converting an audio message into one or more MMS messages. The MMS message or messages generated are then sent to be forwarded to the mobile subscriber designated by the requested B subscriber ID. In one modification of the invention, the standard subscriber is sent to the subscriber sought 10 instead of the voice message dictated by the caller.

More specifically, the method according to the invention is characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention provides considerable advantages. Namely, the invention makes it possible to provide a voicemail service for a large number of subscribers at low cost. Further, the invention 15 provides a voicemail service that is remarkably easy to use.

Embodiments can provide similar benefits in terms of saving storage capacity as the solutions described in US 2003/0099334 AI and US 2002/0176548 AI.

*: ··· In an embodiment whereby the routed calls to the voicemail service are provided with standard information:: 20 and the stored message is sent as is to the called number, voicemail service i: the customer does not have to make any settings on voicemail service and does not require any action.

I · "..) In an embodiment where the service operator performs a call transfer from a subscriber line to a voicemail server, no action is required from the client;

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* ... * In simple embodiments, the implementation of a voicemail service also requires no database, and hence no database searches or analyzes to handle the call and provide the correct service. Such applications -.; ..: formats also do not require an interface through which the end customer could do: '·. · 30 settings for voicemail service. Thus, the simplest embodiments provide a solution, 116019 6, which is astonishingly simple for both the service operator and the customer.

The management and use of the voice mail service is also very simple in those embodiments where the voice mail service includes multiple communications or other features selected for the call by subscriber group based on the A subscriber ID, B subscriber ID or C subscriber ID. Again, there is no need for a database for subscriber-specific settings.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in one possible system configuration.

The system shown in Figure 1 comprises MSC 1 (Mobile Switching Center) and HLR 2 (Home Location Register). The system further comprises an answering machine server 3 which includes an IVR function 15 (Interactive Voice Response) and a database DB. Figure 1 further illustrates the MMSC 4 (Multimedia Messaging Service Center) to which the voicemail server 3 communicates via a telecommunication connection. In addition, the figure shows A subscriber mobile station 5 and B subscriber ·: ··: mobile station 6.

! "! 20 The term A-subscriber refers to the calling subscriber and A-subscriber ID, respectively, '' * J's calling subscriber's domain. From the point of view of the voicemail service, the A-subscriber is the subscriber whose call was diverted to the voicemail _ to the subscriber they are seeking.

• · Subscriber B is a subscriber to whom subscriber A has dialed. B-: 25 subscriber IDs mean B subscriber's phone number, more generally * · ·. ' The domain to which the call was originally dialed. In connection with the voicemail service, the B-: subscriber ID thus belongs to the target person, i.e. the B-subscriber, to which the voicemail service * '· *': attempts to forward the message left to the voicemail.

"C Subscriber Identity" refers to the domain to which the call is diverted "" 30. The C-subscriber ID in connection with the voicemail service is thus one of the network IDs to which the connected calls are routed to the voicemail service server. The voicemail service may have several such domain names, whereby different clients of the voicemail service can be assigned call forwarding to different C subscriber identities.

The following describes some examples of the implementation of voicemail services using the scheme of Figure 15.

In one embodiment, the voicemail service is activated by connecting OCCF (Operator Controlled Call Forwarding) to the subscriber data of the end customers to be connected to the voicemail service to the HLR 2. The OCCF is a feature of the exchange that controls the subscriber's calls by the operator. At the same time, the subscriber may also use call diversions that he controls, which override the call set by the operator. In this example, each end customer is assigned a call forwarding number to 050 950 771, which in this example is the same voicemail service number (C subscriber identity number) for all voicemail clients. For example, the call divert settings you set can be of "not answering", "busy" and "offline" types. In these situations, calls 15 are thus routed to the C number and thus to the IVR of the voicemail server 3, where the caller is greeted. The greeting may also include the desired telephone number, i.e. the B subscriber ID of the call. The B-subscriber ID contained in the greeting is obtained from the ISUP message transmitted in the signaling of the telephone network on the basis of the last transferor.

. On the voicemail server 3, the caller's information, the A-subscriber ID (if not secret) and the voice message 20 possibly left by the caller are temporarily stored on the voicemail system disk.

! "! The voicemail system generates an MMS message from the caller's information and voice message, which! sent to MMSC. The MMS message is sent to the last forwarder number, ie * ·: -. T is set to subscriber B. The MMSC successfully sends an acknowledgment of the MMS message received to the voicemail system 3, after which the message is deleted from the 25 voicemail system disks. The MMSC transmits to the voicemail client an MMS message which: *. ·. includes caller information, a possible A-subscriber ID and voice message.

'· · ·' After this, the end customer may choose to keep his voice message in the phone memory * i ('· or, alternatively, save the voice message in an MMS album operated by the operator.

': The voice message can also be forwarded as an MMS message.

* '30 In the example of Figure 1, the call event and voicemail service operation may include * · thus, for example, the following method steps:, 116019

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11) The A-subscriber 5 tries to call the B-subscriber's telephone number on the mobile station, whereby the call is forwarded to the MSC 1.

12) MSC 1 reads B-subscriber 6 information from HLR 2. At the same time, MSC 1 receives information about the current call forwarding to the answering service number.

13) MSC 1 attempts to connect the call to B mobile subscriber station 6.

When the B-subscriber 6 does not answer within a predetermined time, the call is returned to the MSC.

14) MSC 1 connects the call to the voicemail service number according to the specified call forwarding. The answering machine server 3 informs the A subscriber and 10 stores the voice message left by the A subscriber 5. The voicemail server 3 converts the voice message into an MMS message whose destination address is set to subscriber ID. The voicemail server 3 of the B-subscriber ID is obtained from the MSC 1.

15) The voicemail server 3 transmits an MMS message to the MMSC 4 for transmission to the mobile subscriber of the B subscriber 6.

16) The MMSC 4 transmits the MMS message by appropriate technology to the B-subscriber 6 mobile station.

The previous example dealt with call forwarding in a "subscriber not responding" situation, but ·: ··: it is clear from the example how to set up the system to work with other call forwarding types "i". The basic voicemail service described in the example is::: 20 possible to use with a file type other than MMS.

The message type is limited only by the • V communication between the voicemail server 3 and the subscriber B interface. Thus, the audio file can be transmitted, even as described in US 2003/0099334 AI and US 2002/0176548 AI, provided that only such a message from voicemail server 3 can be addressed to a B-subscriber ID or web address provided by voicemail server 3:25, which is a straightforward '· · *' derived from the B-subscriber identity. In this case, the subscriber server 3 does not require subscriber-specific settings or a subscriber database.

The term '' web address can be derived from the B subscriber identifier by means of a straightforward transformation 'means that the voicemail server 3 can derive the web address': from the 30 subscriber identifier B received, no database search would require the voicemail server 9 116C19 3 to use A subscriber identifier. In this case, the voicemail server 3 also does not need a number database to provide the voicemail service. One example of such a straightforward conversion is to replace the first part of the phone number with another. Another example is changing the last digit or replacing 5 with two numbers. This could be done, for example, in a waste system in which each subscriber of the service group is assigned a generic call number of the form XXXXXXXO and a number of similar other numbers. These other numbers may be, for example, a landline number which could be in the form of XXXXXXX11, a mobile station number in the form of XXXXXXX22, and a fax number 10 which could be in the form of XXXXXXX33. In such an example, a landline telephone number could be assigned a call forwarding number to a voicemail service which generates an MMS message from the message and forwards it to a telephone number formed from the B subscriber ID by replacing the last two digits of the B subscriber ID with digits 22.

15 One example of straightforward management of a network address is an embodiment in which a similar e-mail address is defined for each subscriber in the service group in addition to the telephone network address. In this case, the voicemail service messages for this client group could be delivered to the email without the voicemail server 3 having to search the database. In such a system, for example, the subscriber's telephone network web address 20 would be of the form ΥΥΥΎΥΥΎ and the corresponding email address would be e.g. "·; of the form e-mail.YYYYYYY@messageDervice.com. This would allow voicemail server 3 to always send messages to clients in this service group. * * · .. to the email address it derives from the B-subscriber ID it receives by placing the B-subscriber ID in the address template where all 25 other characters are always the same.

: for example, proceed as described in US 2003/0099334 A1 and US 2002/0176548 A1

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. · · *. . However, an essential advantage of the solutions described in these publications is that the voicemail server receives a straightforward • t ·! 1! without the need for a customer database search.

• · · * · '; 30 From the examples above, it is clear that simple modifications can be made to the B-subscriber ID:: * * I, for example, by replacing the characters contained in the B-subscriber ID, performing calculations, or adding characters B-116019 to the 10-subscriber ID. However, the linear conversion must be such that the voicemail server 3 does not need a subscriber-specific database to implement the service. In addition, it is advantageous for customers belonging to the same service group to always undergo the same conversion for all. This arrangement can simplify the provision of 5 services.

Thus, the voicemail server can be programmed to provide a voicemail service different for different subscribers. To this end, subscribers are grouped into service groups such that the service is provided to each subscriber within the service group in the same manner. The service groups can be distinguished from each other based on, for example, the C subscriber ID. Thus, the OCCF call transmissions associated with the B subscriber identifiers 10 are then programmed into service group specific C numbers. These

The on-line numbers can then route the call to different voicemail servers 3 or even all to one and the same voicemail server 3 if the server capacity is only dimensioned sufficiently. If one voicemail server 3 provides a voicemail service for more than one service group, the voicemail server 3 can identify the service kut 5 for each call by using a subscriber ID, without the need for a subscriber-specific database search with an A or B subscriber ID. If the calls routed to different C numbers are routed to different ports in the voicemail server 3, the voicemail server does not need to recognize the C number either.

Service groups can, for example, provide different greeting options or ·: * · ': 20 language versions. For example, a voicemail service could give an English greeting for calls directed to 050 950 772 and a greetings in Finnish::: for calls directed to 050 950 771. In this case, the IVR will be able to ':': ,: based on the mero.

25 The above embodiments enable mobile operators; , ·, To provide a voicemail product in a cost-effective manner and can be connected as a subscription feature. At the same time, the applications provide end users with a very .. simple and easy way to use their voicemail.

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* * »'· For the end customer, the simplest is the embodiment in which the operator sets.; <·· 30 end customers to the HLR with OCCF call forwarding to a specific single number that the end customer does not even need to know. If the end-user is not connected to the 116019 11 network or is unable to answer the call, the call will be routed to the voicemail system. The IVR system of the voicemail system then informs the caller of the caller's access number and indicates that the caller cannot answer the call. The greeting asks the caller to leave 5 messages to the person they want after the beep.

The voicemail and caller information left are temporarily stored on the voicemail system disk. The voicemail system generates an MMS message from the caller information and voice message and sends it to the MMSC. The message is deleted from the voicemail system disk after the MMSC has successfully received the MMS message. The MMSC transmits caller information and 10 voice messages to the end customer.

Of course, the voicemail service can also be used in such a way that the end customer can, if he or she so wishes, set up call forwarding to that number. The voicemail service may also implement a combination of embodiments such that the operator defaults to OCCF call forwarding to one particular voicemail service number, but the end customer 15 defines the call forwarding to another voicemail service number, whereby the OCCF is bypassed.

In this case, the operator can specify the default voicemail service number, for example, according to the customer's service language. If you wish to change the service language, the customer can then define the call forwarding to another service group number. Alternatively, the client may ask the operator to redefine the OCCF call transfer -; · ·! 20 to the customer's voicemail service.

; *; Embodiments can facilitate the use of an answering machine in many ways I I · t »» * '*; from the perspective of the end customer. When you open the subscription, the voicemail product is connected • · ... automatically, giving you instant access to your voicemail without the need for an extra setup.

* ..! The end customer does not need to learn how to use an answering machine because the answering machine does not have any 25 interfaces. There is no need to call the voicemail separately, and there is no voicemail number through which messages should be listened to. For missed calls, the end customer will receive. · *. caller information and missed voice message via MMS to your mobile phone.

The advantage of the service operator is that customers do not have to reserve a separate voicemail number and the numbers released in this way can be used for other purposes. There is no need for any additional instruction and guidance to use voicemail, which facilitates the operation of service operator 116019 12 and saves costs. Thus, the embodiments enable cost-effective voice mail or voice mail subscriber capability.

The most significant advantages of the application forms are obtained by the network operator, since the application forms do not require a complicated and expensive voicemail system. The voicemail product 5 can be provided by a simple IVR based system, which must be capable of handling a large number of calls but requires little storage capacity. There is no need to provide users with a system, and no user interface to build. No capacity is reserved in the answering system for subscriber information of end customers, since all the necessary information is available in the messages of the cellular network 10. Call control is simple and inexpensive since it does not require any separate system. System design and capacity sizing are easy to do based on the number of users. The system does not entail high maintenance costs and the license fees are completely eliminated.

Thus, the embodiments enable the provision of a cost-effective voicemail product to 15 external service operators on a timely basis. Setting up a customized voicemail for an operator is easy, and there is no need to build separate provisioning or other user interfaces. There can be dozens of different greetings in different languages. In addition, it is possible to create other service groups according to demand and need.

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In addition to the above embodiments, the voicemail service also has many other variations that fall within the scope of the invention. The following describes some of these! embodiments.

In the examples above, the A subscriber is shown as a mobile network subscriber, but it is clear that the answering service operates in the same way, even if the A subscriber calls from a landline or establishes a telephone connection, for example, over the Internet.

• * * ». * ··. Embodiments have been described above which enable the voicemail service to be implemented, for example, grouped by subscriber group, whereby a unique voicemail service can be provided to each subscriber group. In the examples, grouping was performed using C subscriber IDs. Instead of or in addition to such grouping, other grouping or control measures may be carried out in the voicemail service. The type of voicemail service provided 30 may be affected, for example, by the A subscriber ID or B subscriber ID associated with the call. In this case, the A subscriber ID and / or B subscriber ID is identified as belonging to a particular group, and the settings of this group are taken into account when setting up the voicemail service. In this way, for example, the country code associated with the A subscriber ID can be identified and the language of the voicemail service can be selected based on the identified country code. Similarly, grouping functions can be assigned to the B-subscriber ID.

5 One possible grouping function associated with a B-subscriber ID could be a company-specific message on the voicemail service. Business phone numbers often have a specific set of numbers that is the same for all business subscriptions. Usually, this numerosaq is placed immediately after the regional grouping elements and is followed by the identifier part of that extension. In such a case, the voicemail server 10 can be programmed to identify the company-specific numeric saw from the B-subscriber ID and to provide the voicemail service according to the specifications of this service group. In practice, this could mean, for example, company-specific greeting with a voicemail service.

In addition to the A, B and C subscriber IDs, other parameters may also be taken into account in the provision of the voicemail service. Such parameters include, for example, weekday 15 and time of day. In this case, the voicemail service may include at least some service groups in which the voicemail functions, usually the greeting from the voicemail, change according to the day of the week or the time of day.

From the examples above it is clear that in addition to the extremely simple voicemail service, the embodiments of the invention make it possible to implement • I t; * ·; 20 also very versatile and contextual voicemail services. For these applications, too · · ·; however, the forms are characterized by the fact that • • »* · .. are grouped in the voicemail service. you do not need to search the subscriber-specific database and • · '..! retrieving a service profile from a database. Instead, a grouped voicemail service can be implemented according to very simple grouping rules, whereby the voicemail service: 25 can be implemented cost-effectively.

In addition, it is possible to provide a voice mail service with a menu that allows the caller to; ; : It is possible to select additional services or otherwise influence the form of the voicemail service.

Further, it is also possible to include service groups * * t: · * that have a client user interface for editing the voicemail service. In this case, the settings made through 30 client interfaces affect the voicemail service produced for the entire service group. Such an embodiment could be useful 14 116019, for example, if a company-specific service group is defined in the voicemail service. This would allow the client company to change the voicemail service settings, typically the voicemail greeting, through the client interface available to them.

The voicemail service may also store one or more standard messages or a standard message-5 template, which may be used instead of the voice message dictated by the caller. For example, the voicemail service can then be provided with a menu which allows the caller to choose to send a standard message to the B subscriber. When using a standard message template, the message may contain fields that are completed by the voice mail server. Such fields are, for example, time, date and A-subscriber ID. Of course, similar supplementable fields 10 may also be included in the voice message received from the A-subscriber.

In addition, the answering service can be provided with a function in cases where the B-subscriber identity number is not received from the telephone network for one reason or another. After all, the voicemail service would not have access to the destination address to which the message will be sent. This can be addressed by including a feature in the voicemail service that asks the caller 15 to the destination address of the message. Thus, the destination address is usually a B-subscriber ID, which is usually also available to the caller. For example, this function can be activated whenever the voice mail service does not have a destination address to send the message. The destination address can be received, for example, by means of a speech recognition application, whereby the caller can dictate the destination address (usually the telephone number of the B-subscriber 1: * i 20). Another good option for receiving a destination address is to use DTMF-: * options, whereby the caller can key in or select a destination address: 11; with their terminal.

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... The invention is not intended to be limited to the examples above, but is intended to cover the full scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (17)

1. A method of realizing an answering service for a telephone network subscriber, in which a call directed to a desired subscriber is directed to an answering service; with the received input, a message is formed in the form of a file, which is addressed to the desired subscriber, characterized in that the message formed in the form of a file is sent: A) to the network's identification of the desired subscriber, or Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the input received by the calling subscriber contains an audio message, of which at least part is stored in the form of a file and is included in the message to be sent to the desired subscriber. •: · ·; Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the input received by the calling subscriber contains a speech sound control which I: is identified and on the basis of which the response service function is controlled. * »♦ t · .. <4. Method according to any of claims 1-3, characterized by reduced [·.! The input received by the calling subscriber comprises a DTMF audio control, which is identified and based on which the response service function is controlled. A method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the desired subscriber's network identification is received from a telephone network. i t »* * * •> A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the desired identification of the subscriber's network is received from the telephone network as part of a · ·; message associated with telephone network signaling. •> I <* • * '9 11C019 Method according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the desired subscriber's network identification is received from the calling subscriber by means of the input provided by the calling subscriber. Method according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that said file format is an MMS message format. Method according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the derived network identification is an e-mail address and the formed message in the form of a file is sent as a file attached to the e-mail message to said derived network identification. A method according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the derived network identification is formed from the desired subscriber's network identification by transformation. B) to such a derived network identification which is formed from the desired subscriber's network identification by a linear transformation. 11. A method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the message to be played in the answering service is selected and the stored message is further conveyed to a destination address without any database search being performed ... by means of the desired subscriber network identification. f I 12. A method according to any of claims 1-11, characterized by reduced • · ·: The telecom operator sets up for the subscribers OCCF call transmissions to direct the calls to the answering service. * i · * · • I: „20 A method according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that answering services are offered to the telephone network subscribers subscribers in groups in such a way that • I f ,:; there is at least one first subscriber group, which is offered a reply service in a first form, and a second subscriber group, which is offered a reply service in a second form, such as ·· '; deviate from the first form. • · * ·; '' 25 14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the answering calls to the service call are grouped into subscriber groups on the basis of a C-subscriber identification. 116019 15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the subscriber group modifies the answering service on the basis of at least one parameter, which consists of e.g. an A subscriber identification, a B subscriber identification, a clock time, a weekday and / or an input received from the caller. 5 16. A method according to any of claims 1-15, characterized in that after the message is sent in the form of a file, a receipt is awaited for the receipt of the message, and a receipt is received when a subsequent network element or a subsequent terminal has received the message. form of a file, the file is destroyed or removed from the answering service. 10 Method according to any of claims 1-16, characterized in that in connection with the message in the form of a file, information about an A subscriber's network identification is sent to a B subscriber. • 1 »