MXPA99010361A - Providing selective reversal billing when calling roaming mobile subscribers - Google Patents

Abstract

A home location register (HLR) (70) associated with a called party mobile station (20) determines that the mobile station (20) is currently roaming outside of its home mobile telecommunications network (60). In response to an incoming call connection (40), the HLR (70) instructs and associated gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) (50) to inform and to request the calling party subscriber (10) to be charged for rerouting the received incoming call connection from the GMSC (50) to a visited mobile switching center (MSC) (80B) located within the visited mobile telecommunications network (60B) and currently serving the called party mobile station (20). In response to an affirmative response (350) from the calling party subscriber, the call connection is rerouted (370) and accordingly charged to the calling party subscriber. Otherwise, the received incoming call connection is rejected (360).

Description

"PROVIDE SELECTED INVERSE BILLING WHEN CALLING VAGABUNDOS MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunications network and, in particular, to the provision of a reverse billing feature for an incoming call connection to a mobile station that roams within a visited mobile telecommunications network.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART With the advent of mobile telecommunications networks, a mobile subscriber is able to freely travel and use the mobile service through a plurality of mobile switching centers (MSCs) each providing mobile service through a respective geographical area. While a call connection is made between a telecommunications terminal, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) terminal, and a progressive mobile station, three types of call connections and associated charges are typically involved. A first call connection between a subscriber terminal of the calling party and an access gate telecommunications node associated with the home mobile telecommunications network for the mobile progressive station is established and charged accordingly. The subscriber of the calling party is typically responsible for the charges incurred for this first call connection. A second call connection is then established from the telecommunications number of the access door of a mobile communication center (MSC) which currently serves the mobile progressive station and which is associated with a visited mobile telecommunications network. For a mobile station traveling outside its home mobile telecommunications network, the cost of redirecting this incoming call connection from the home mobile telecommunications network to the visited mobile telecommunications network is typically charged to the mobile progressive station . Finally, a radio connection is also made between a service base station and the progressive mobile station. The charges associated with this "time in the air" connection are also taxed against the progressive mobile station. Unlike some European and Asian countries where mobile subscribers are assigned with - - different mobile numbers in order to distinguish themselves (e.g., different prefixes), the United States, for example, uses the same E.164 numbering plan for both wire and mobile (wireless) telecommunications terminals. Due to this non-distinction, a subscriber of the calling party is not able to ensure that a call connection made is to a mobile station. As a result, the charges of the mobile station are charged to the mobile station of the calling party. However, the long-distance re-routing costs of an incoming call connection from the home network to a visited mobile telecommunications network serving a progressive mobile subscriber can be considerable. A mobile subscriber has no control over the incoming call connections and has to undesirably incur charges associated with the mobile call to answer each incoming call connection. Especially when the mobile station is roaming outside the domestic mobile telecommunication network, these charges for long distance re-routing of an incoming call connection from the domestic mobile telecommunication network, to the current visited mobile telecommunications network can be costly A number of methods and systems have been introduced to alleviate some of the aforementioned problems - previously. One of these systems excludes incoming call connections when the mobile station of the party that has been called is currently marching out of the domestic mobile telecommunications network. Other systems maintain a list of allowable directory numbers or access codes, and only the incoming call connections of the allowed subscribers and / or directory numbers are terminated towards the mobile station of the calling party. However, these systems are either too restrictive and inconvenient. In addition, these systems do not provide the calling party with an option to pay for the remainder of the call connection when the called party's mobile subscriber refuses to pay for the connection of the incoming call. Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism to allow a caller's subscriber to pay the charges associated with establishing a call connection to a roaming mobile subscriber.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION A mobile gateway switching center (GMSC) associated with a domestic mobile telecommunication network serving a mobile station - - specific receives an incoming call connection to that mobile station. The GMSC then asks a home location register (HLR) associated with the mobile station for routing instructions. By evaluating the previously stored location data associated with the mobile station of the called party, the HLR determines that the mobile station is currently roaming outside the domestic mobile telecommunications network. Alternatively, the HLR may request a number that roams from a mobile switching center (MSC) that currently serves the mobile station of the called party and makes this determination by evaluating the roaming number provided. Then an appropriate indication is returned to the requesting GMSC. The GMSC, in turn, provides another indication, such as an announcement message, through the received incoming call connection by informing the calling party of an option to pay for the re-routing of the call connection. from the domestic mobile telecommunication network to a visited mobile telecommunication network which currently serves the roaming mobile station. In response to an affirmative determination, the GMSC re-sends the received incoming call connection to a mobile switching center (MSC) which currently serves the station - roving mobile. Otherwise, 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 a determination that the The mobile station is currently routed outside the domestic mobile telecommunications network, the HLR compares a directory number of the calling party with the maintained list and instructs the GMSC to request reverse charging from the calling party's subscriber if there is an equalization The subscriber of the calling party then has an option to pay the rest of the mobile charges and make the call connection to the mobile station In another embodiment of the present invention, the HLR maintains a list of directory numbers, and in response to a determination that the mobile station is currently roaming outside the home mobile telecommunication network, the HLR compares a "directory number" of the calling party with the list maintained and instructs the GMSC to request a reverse load from the calling party's subscriber if there is no match. For a matched directory number, a termination of the conventional call to the roaming mobile station is effected.

- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a functional diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating a subscriber terminal of the calling party that establishes a call connection at a station of the called party; Figure 2 is a functional diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating the different types of call connections and charges involved in establishing a voice connection to the mobile station of the called party; Figure 3 is a functional diagram of a telecommunications network that provides reverse charges in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Y Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps carried out by a mobile telecommunications network to provide inverse charges in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a functional diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating a subscriber terminal of the calling party 10 establishing a call connection to a mobile station of the called party 20. The terminal subscriber of the calling party 10 originates an outgoing call connection by dialing a directory number associated with the mobile station of the called party 20. A local telephone exchange (LE) or end office 30 connected to the party's terminal Caller 10, for example, it then receives the dialed directory number and transmits a call set-up signal through a connected telecommunication network 40. As an illustration, for a telecommunication network based on the Signal Sending System Number 7 (SS7) ), an Initial Address Message (IAM) is transmitted based on the User Part of the Integrated Service Digital Network (ISUP) with the number of the directory marked as the directory number of the called party (CdPn) and the number of the directory representing the subscriber terminal of the called party 10 as the called party number (CgPn). Using the indicated CdPn as in the destination address, the set call signal transmitted is sent to an access gate mobile switching center (GMSC) 50 associated with the Domestic Land Public Mobile Network (PLMN) 60. Each record of - Home location (HLR) 70 is assigned with a series of directory numbers (series NPA-NXX-XXXX) and by dialing a specific directory number within the assigned series, the transmitted call establishment signal is sent to the GMSC 50 associated with the appropriate HLR 60. As a result, a circuit connection is established between the local telephone exchange 30 serving the calling party's subscriber terminal 10 and the GMSC 50 associated with the HLR 60 serving the mobile station of the called party 20. Not being aware of which mobile switching center / visitor location register (MSC / VLR) 80 is currently serving the mobile station of the called party 20, the GMSC 50 then sends a Question mark requesting routing instructions to the associated HLR 70. For example, within a Global System for the Mobile communications network (GSM), a mobile application part (MAP) based on the routing information signal sent (SRl) 90 from the GMSC 50 to the HLR 70 is transmitted. HLR 70, in turn, retrieves the address of the network representing the MSC / VLR 80A that currently serves the mobile station 20 and transmits another signal 100 to it. As an illustration, the HLR 70 can transmit a signal 100 of Providing a Tramp Number (PRN) to the service MSC 80A by requesting a - - vagabond number. In response, service MSC / VLR 80A provides the associated vagrant number or address back to the requesting HLR through another signal 110 based on another MAP. The HLR 70, in turn, sends the vagabond number received back to the GMSC 50 through another signal 120 based on MAP. Using the received vagrant number representing the serving MSC / VLR 80A, the GMSC 50 again sends the received incoming call connection thereto. As a result, it makes a second call connection 130 between the GMSC 50 and the service MSC / VLR -80A. The service MSC / VLR 80A then radiolocalises the mobile station of the called party 20 and a radio interface 140 is effected therebetween. When the mobile station has roamed outside the domestic PLMN 60 and towards a visited PLMN 60B (foreign) (movement 150), the mobile station progressively carries out 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 also retrieves the necessary subscriber information (not shown). As a result, the HLR is updated with the current location associated with the mobile progressive station. The HLR 70 subsequently utilizes the location data to re-route the incoming call connections 160 from the GMSC 50 to the service MSC / VLR 80B, in a similar manner as fully described above. Reference is now made to Figure 2 which is a functional diagram of a telecommunications network illustrating the different types of call connections and charges associated with establishing a voice connection with a mobile station of the called party. When a mobile station 20 is marching out of its home PLMN, basically three different types of call connections and associated charges are involved while a voice connection or speech is made with a terminal of the calling party's subscriber. A first call connection 40 exists between a local telephone exchange 30 which serves the caller's subscriber terminal 10 and a mobile access gate switching center (GMSC) 50 associated with the home PLMN. Typically, the subscriber in the calling party 10 is responsible for the charges incurred associated with the first call connection 40. The GMSC 50, in response to the receipt of a vagrant number representing a visited MSC / VLR 80, placed within a PLMN visited, then sends the received incoming call connection to the visited MSC / VLR 80. As a result, a second call connection (circuit) 160 is established between them. Since the subscriber of the calling party 10 has no control through the site where the mobile subscriber of the called party 20 is placed or towards the what march, the mobile subscriber of the called party is responsible for the charges associated with the second call connection 160. Finally, the visited MSC / VLR 80 radiolocates the roaming mobile station 20, and upon receiving a response, allocates a traffic channel (TCH) and performs between them a radio interface 140. The mobile subscriber of the called party is therefore charged by the "time in the air" to effect a radio interface 140. Figure 3 is a functional diagram of a telecommunications network that provides reverse charges in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. An incoming call connection 40 is received via a mobile gateway switching center (GMSC) 50 associated with a mobile station of the called party 20 as fully described above. The GMSC 50 then transmits a MAP-based interrogation signal 90, for example, to an associated HLR 70 for routing instructions. While the MAP-based interrogation signal 90 minus the connection is transmitted, the GMSC 50 further includes the directory number of the calling party and the directory number of the called party associated with the incoming call connection in the same. The HLR 70 then transmits another MAP-based signal 100 requesting a routing address, which is also known as the routing number to an MSC / VLR 80 currently serving the progressive mobile station 20. The MSC / VLR 80 then returns the trailing number appropriately to the requesting HLR 70 using still another signal minus the connection 110. Alternatively, the service MSC / VLR 80 may already have the HLR 70 updated with a vagrant number when the MSC / VLR 80 and the mobile station 20 have carried out the location update process 240. An application module 220 associated with the HLR 70 then evaluates the vagabond number provided and determines that the mobile station is currently being served by a mobile switching center indicated outside the domestic PLMN. In response to this determination, the application module 220 then includes an appropriate return code instructing the GMSC 50 to perform reverse billing within a signal 120 transmitted to the GMSC 50. The return signal 120 also contains the routing of request. An application module 200 associated with the GMSC 50 receives the return signal 120 containing the roaming number and the return code and determines that the mobile progressive subscriber refuses to accept the incoming call connection unless the subscriber of the the calling party wants to pay the rest of the call connection. The application module 200 then transmits this indication to the caller's terminal of the calling party through the already established call-entry connection 40. As an illustration, the application module 200 instructs an advertisement machine 210 to present an appropriate announcement message through the incoming call connection 40. An associated recogniser (REC) 250 then receives acknowledgment or consent from the subscriber of the calling party through the incoming call connection 40 and by Thereafter, it informs the application module 200. For example, the subscriber of the calling party can indicate whether the subscriber wishes to pay for the rest of the call connection by admitting a double-tone multifrequency signal (DTMF). 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 subscriber agrees to pay the long-distance re-routing of the incoming call connection from the service GMSC 50 to the visited MSC / VLR 80, the GMSC 50 transmits still another call set-up signal with the vagabond number received - as the new called party number (CdPn). Since the necessary vagrant number has already been received from the associated HLR 70, there is no need for the GMSC 50 to communicate the MAP messages with it. As a result, a second call connection 160 is established therebetween. In contrast to the conventional charging method, a billing account statement produced, such as a ticket (TT), then indicates that the subscriber of the calling party is responsible for the second call connection 160. Alternatively, without sending the MAP-based signal 100 to the service MSC / VLR 80, the HLR 70 is able to determine that the mobile station of the called party is currently roaming within the a visited mobile telecommunications network, evaluating a network address associated with the service MSC / VLR 80 and that has been previously updated during the last location update procedure. The HLR 70 then instructs the GMSC 50 to inform the calling party's subscriber of the denial of the mobile station to accept the call and requests the calling party's subscriber to pay for the remaining charges related to the connection call. In response to an affirmative determination, the GMSC then informs the HLR, which in turn, transmits the MAP 100 signal requesting a number - - vagabond to the MSC / VLR 80 service. Upon receiving the requested vagrant number from MSC / VLR 80, the HLR 70 then sends the vagabond number to the GMSC 50 in a conventional manner. The incoming call connection is then re-routed correspondingly to the service MSC / VLR 80. As another embodiment of the invention, the subscriber of the calling party can further be requested to pay for airborne interference 140 between the service MSC / VLR 80 and the progressive mobile station 20. Accordingly, the subscriber of the party that Call must be responsible for all three types of call connections and associated charges. As yet another embodiment of the present invention, the service HLR 70 is further associated with a register (R) 230 for storing a list of allowable directory numbers. Accordingly, when a request 90 is performed for an incoming call connection originated from a calling party subscriber associated with one of the allowed directory numbers, the HLR and the GMSC effect the call connection in a manner conventional. As a result, the received incoming call connection 40 is redirected 160 without requesting that the caller's subscriber pay for the call. Alternatively, the register (R) 230 may also store an access code. The access code is retrieved from the (R) register 230 by an application module 220 when the mobile station of the called party is marching out of the home PLMN and is provided to the requesting GMSC 50. The GMSC 50 then operates an announcement machine which instructs the calling party's subscriber to pay for the call connection. In response to this indication of the GMSC 50 to pay for the remainder of the call connection, the calling party's subscriber can instead accept the valid access code and cause the call connection to be terminated from a conventional way. As yet another embodiment of the present invention, the register (R) 230 associated with the application module 220 instead stores a list of non-allowable directory numbers. When the incoming call connection is received from one of the non-allowed directory numbers, reverse billing is performed as fully described above. Otherwise, a conventional call routing is carried out. Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps taken by a mobile telecommunications network to provide reverse charges in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. A domestic mobile telecommunications network associated with the station - - The mobile party of the called party receives an incoming call connection in step 300. This incoming call connection is made by receiving an ISUP-based IAM signal minus the connection. As an IAM signal is routed to the home PLMN, a corresponding circuit connection (speech) is established with it. The received IAM signal includes the CgPn representing the subscriber terminal of the calling party and CdPn represents the mobile station of the called party. As fully described above, the input IAM signal is received by a mobile gateway telecommunications node such as a mobile gateway switching center (GMSC), associated with the domestic PLMN. The GMSC then tries to make sure of the current location of the mobile station of the progressive called party by transmitting a questioning signal, such as an information signal from Shipping routing based on the Mobile Application Part (MAP), to an associated HLR in step 310. The transmitted SRl signal includes CdPn and CgPn associated with the received incoming call set-up signal. The HLR then determines whether the mobile station of the named called party is currently roaming outside the domestic PLMN. This determination can be made by evaluating the network address associated with the service MSC / VLR currently serving the station - 9 - progressive mobile as fully described above. Alternatively, the HLR may transmit another MAP-based signal by requesting a vagrant number to the service MSC. The HLR then makes this determination by evaluating the vagrant number received. In response to this determination, the HLR returns an indication back to the requesting GMSC to perform reverse billing on the incoming call connection received in step 320. As an alternative, the HLR may also present the received CgPn with a list of permissible / non-allowable directory numbers to ensure whether or not the billing method should be carried out. The GMSC then receives the indication from the HLR and presents an announcement message through the incoming call connection established to inform the calling party subscriber that the mobile party's denial of the called party to accept and pay for the connection of the called party. Incoming call in step 330. The announcement message then asks if the subscriber of the calling party wishes to be charged the rest of the connections of the mobile call. The GMSC then sends instructions to an associated recognizer, such as the DTMF recognizer, to receive and evaluate the admitted data (answer) by the calling party's subscriber in step 340. In response to an affirmative response from the subscriber of the subscriber. the calling party - 0 - (decision link si) in step 350, the GMSC re-routes the received incoming call connection to the service MSC / VLR in step 370. The appropriate billing parameters and data are signaled to generate a statement of account billing that loads the subscriber in the calling party by making the call connection to the service MSC / VLR. On the other hand, if the subscriber of the calling party refuses to accept the charges, the incoming call connection is rejected and the call connection fails in step 360. The GMSC also presents an announcement message informing the subscriber of the call. the calling party of this fault. Even though a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention of the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description has been illustrated, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but rather that it is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as indicated and defined by the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. - - CLAIMS 1. A method for charging by a call connection within a mobile telecommunication network, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a first call connection in a gateway telecommunications node within a first mobile telecommunications network associated in a mobile station of the called party, and the first call connection is originated by a terminal of the subscriber of the calling party; determining that the mobile station of the called party is roaming within a second mobile telecommunications network; transmitting a message to the caller's terminal of the calling party asking whether the caller's terminal of the calling party agrees to pay a second call connection between the telecommunications node of the access door and the mobile station of the party call, and in response to an affirmative determination: establishing the second call connection between the telecommunications node of the access gate and the mobile station of the called party; Y -- upload to the subscriber terminal of the calling party the second call connection; otherwise, reject the first call connection originated by the subscriber terminal of the party that it loves. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway telecommunications node comprises a mobile gateway switching center (GMSC) within a first .Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with the mobile gateway station. the called party. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining that the mobile station of the called party is routed into the second mobile telecommunications network further comprises the steps of: asking a centralized database within the first PLMN which maintains the data associated with the mobile station of the called party; and receiving - an indication from the centralized database that the mobile station of the called party is roaming outside the first PLMN. The method of claim 3, wherein the centralized database further comprises a register for storing a list of directory numbers of the calling party, the step of determining whether the mobile station - - The called party is roaming outside the first PLMN. It also includes the steps of: comparing a directory number representing the caller's terminal of the calling party with the list of caller directory numbers stored in the register; and transmit the indication to the GMSC if the directory number has an equalization within the list of directory numbers of the calling party. The method of claim 3, wherein the centralized database further comprises a register for storing a list of directory numbers of the calling party, the step of determining whether the mobile station of the calling party is roaming on the outside of the first PLMN which also comprises the steps of: comparing a directory number representing the caller's terminal of the calling party with the list of numbers of the calling party directory stored in the register; and transmit the indication to the GMSC if the directory number does not have an equalization within the list of directory numbers of the calling party. The method of claim 3, wherein the centralized database comprises a home location register (HLR). - 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the message to the subscriber's terminal of the calling party further comprises the step of making the announcement known by the telecommunication node of the access gate by informing the subscriber's terminal of the calling party of the option to pay. The method of claim 1, wherein the second call connection comprises a call connection between the telecommunications node of the access gate and a visited mobile switching center (MSC) which currently serves the station mobile of the called party. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second call connection further comprises a radio connection between a base station serving the mobile station of the called party and the mobile station of the called party. 10. A method for charging an incoming call connection within a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request in the home location register (HLR) associated with a domestic mobile telecommunications network associated with a mobile station of the specific called party, the interrogation request is transmitted by the telecommunications node of the access gate and request routing instructions for an incoming call connection originated by a terminator of the calling party subscriber. determine if the mobile station of the calling party is marching out of the domestic mobile telecommunications network; and if the answer is yes, load a call connection between the telecommunications node of the access door and a mobile communications center (MSC) serving the mobile station of the called party to the subscriber's terminal of the party that call; otherwise, load the call connection to the mobile station of the called party. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining whether the mobile station of the called party is marching out of the home mobile telecommunication network further comprises the steps of: receiving a network address associated with the switching center mobile (MSC) that currently serves the mobile station of the called party; Y - - Evaluate the network address to determine if the service MSC is located within the domestic mobile telecommunications network. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of charging the call connection to the subscriber's terminal of the calling party further comprises the steps of: transmitting an indication to the subscriber's terminal of the calling party asking whether the subscriber of the calling party agrees to pay for the call connection between the mobile telecommunications node of the gateway and the MSC serving the mobile station of the called party; receive a reply from the caller's terminal of the calling party; and in response to an affirmative answer, load the call connection to the subscriber's terminal of the calling party; otherwise, - reject the incoming call connection. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of transmitting the indication further comprises the step of presenting an advertisement via the telecommunications node of the access step through the incoming call connection. - - 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of loading the call connection to the caller's terminal of the calling party further comprises the steps of: receiving a directory number associated with the caller's terminal of the calling party in the HLR; compare the directory number with a list of directory numbers stored in a register associated with the HLR; and load the call connection if there is a match. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of loading the call connection to the caller's terminal of the calling party further comprises the steps of: receiving a directory number iasociated with the caller's terminal of the calling party in the HLR; compare the directory number with a list of directory numbers stored in a register associated with the HLR; and load the call connection if there is no match. 16. A telecommunication node associated with a domestic mobile telecommunication network for charging an incoming call connection originated by a subscriber terminal of the calling party to a mobile station of the called party, the mobile station of the called party being currently served by a mobile switching center (MSC) and the incoming call connection is received by a mobile gate access switching center (GMSC) with the domestic mobile telecommunications network, comprising: a first registration to store an address of the network representing the MSC; and a first application module for determining whether the mobile station of the calling party is currently marching outside the domestic telecommunications network by evaluating the address of the network stored in the first register, and in response to an affirmative determination, the application module loads the calling party for the re-routing of the incoming call connection from the GMSC to the service MSC to the subscriber terminal. 17. The HLR of claim 16 further comprising a second register for storing a list of non-allowable directory numbers and application module fee of the caller's terminal of the calling party if a directory number representing the terminal is included. of the calling party's subscriber within the stored non-allowed directory number. 18. The HLR of claim 16 further comprising a second register for storing a list of non-allowed directory numbers and the application module uploading to the subscriber's terminal of the calling party if a directory number representing the subscriber's terminal of the The calling party is included within the stored non-allowed directory number. 19. A mobile gateway switching center (GMSC) for re-routing a received incoming call connection to a mobile station in the called party, the mobile station in the called party is associated with a home location register (HLR) placed within a domestic mobile telecommunication network and which is currently being served by a specific mobile switching center (MSC), comprising: means for requesting that the HLR send instructions related to the call connection of input received; means for receiving an indication from the HLR informing the GMSC that the mobile station of the called party is currently outside the domestic mobile telecommunication network; means for asking the subscriber terminal of the calling party if the subscriber's terminal of the calling party wishes to pay for a call connection from the GMSC to the MSC currently serving the mobile station of the called party; and a means responsive to an affirmative determination to re-route the incoming call connection received from the GMSC to the MSC and otherwise reject the received incoming call connection. 20. The GMSC of claim 19 wherein the means for asking questions to the caller's terminal of the calling party further comprises an advertisement machine for displaying an announcement message through the received incoming call connection.