Abstract:
A method of connecting a calling party connect to the PSTN to a called party connected to an IP network. When a calling party wishes to initiate a voice over IP call to a called party, the calling party need only connect to the IP network through an IP gateway and dial the PSTN telephone number of the called party to complete an IP connection to the called party. An IP gateway or other database is used to perform the necessary translations of addressing and routing information between the PSTN and the IP network for the call to reach its intended destination. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the same PSTN directory number assigned to a party for PSTN calls is also used as a designator for that party's IP address. As such, the PSTN dial plan is reused in association with calls placed over an IP network to that party.
Abstract:
A method of connecting a calling party connect to the PSTN to a called party connected to an IP network. When a calling party wishes to initiate a voice over IP call to a called party, the calling party need only connect to the IP network through an IP gateway and dial the PSTN telephone number of the called party to complete an IP connection to the called party. An IP gateway or other database is used to perform the necessary translations of addressing and routing information between the PSTN and the IP network for the call to reach its intended destination. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the same PSTN directory number assigned to a party for PSTN calls is also used as a designator for that party's IP address. As such, the PSTN dial plan is reused in association with calls placed over an IP network to that party.