One embodiment of the present invention provides a collect call method and system thereof, more particularly, in order to charge the called party with a uniform toll for collect call, which is determined by only the type and location of called party terminal. In one embodiment, the collect call method, system and a counsel service providing method use a free VoIP network for part of the voice call link and a charge PSTN network for the rest of the voice call link. In one embodiment, if the first link corresponding to the collect call request is established, the collect call switch calls the called party terminal to establish the second link, and billing on the second link is initiated.

Systems, methods, and software that distribute accounting requests to a plurality of Charging Data Functions (CDFs). One embodiment comprises a distributor unit that connects to the CDFs, which register their queues with the distributor unit. When receiving an accounting request (e.g., interim or stop) for a session, the distributor unit extracts an identifier from the accounting request indicating a destination queue previously selected for the session. When the destination queue is not accepting new sessions or ongoing sessions, the distributor unit identifies a prioritized list for the session, identifies a position of the destination queue in the prioritized list, searches the prioritized list for an alternate queue having a lower priority than the destination queue, and having a status indicating that the alternate queue is accepting new sessions. The distributor unit then selects the alternate queue as an alternate destination queue for the session.

An inmate communication system and method of using are described herein for obtaining a lowest session rate. The inmate communication system includes a session boarder controller (SBC) server that analyses data from multiple carriers, historical sessions, and additional factors such as quality of service to determine a lowest rate for the session. The SBC server then routes the session using the carrier that has the determined lowest rate for the session. Further, the SBC server is configured to include both local and location redundancies to avoid interruptions in session service.

A method and a callback notification system (CNS) are provided for sending a missed call ring alert (MCRA) from a source number to a destination number. The CNS receives communication information from a calling party device (CGPD) or a network thereof, when an unsuccessful communication attempt is made by the CGPD to contact a called party device (CDPD), and places a call to the destination number with an identification of an originator of the call as the source number using the communication information. The CNS identifies a ring of the CDPD when the call successfully reaches the destination number and terminates the call before chargeable completion of the call, thereby sending an MCRA from the source number of the CGPD to the destination number of the CDPD. The CNS sends one or more alternative callback notifications to the destination number, concurrently with the MCRA or if the MCRA is unsuccessful.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a message associated with a 5th Generation (5G) wireless service, the message containing: a first section including a service type identifier entry and a first timestamp that corresponds to the service type identifier entry; and a second section including a secondary radio access technology (RAT) entry, one or more data volume entries, and a second timestamp that corresponds to the secondary RAT entry and to the one or more data volume entries; matching the first timestamp and the second timestamp based upon a first value of the first timestamp equaling a second value of the second timestamp; and responsive to the matching of the first timestamp and the second timestamp, associating the service type identifier entry of the first section with the one or more data volume entries of the second section. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A secured party audio and audio/video communication system and method providing administration, management and control that includes a portable secured communication device in possession solely of a secured party positioned in a secured environment, the portable secured communication device being exclusive to the secured party and communicatively connectable only to a secured connection management system, in a secured connection management system hosting a secured communication device interface, hosting a remote communication device interface, storing in the database information related to the secured party, the portable secured communication system, and the external party, at least one of which includes a predetermined connection parameter, creating the selective communication between the portable secured communication device and only the remote communication device response to the stored database information and controlling a duration of the communication as a function of the predetermined connection parameter as stored in the database.

A secured party audio and audio/video communication system and method providing administration, management and control that includes a portable secured communication device in possession solely of a secured party positioned in a secured environment, the portable secured communication device being exclusive to the secured party and communicatively connectable only to a secured connection management system, in a secured connection management system hosting a secured communication device interface, hosting a remote communication device interface, storing in the database information related to the secured party, the portable secured communication system, and the external party, at least one of which includes a predetermined connection parameter, creating the selective communication between the portable secured communication device and only the remote communication device response to the stored database information and controlling a duration of the communication as a function of the predetermined connection parameter as stored in the database.

A method is presented that allows for coordination between parties wanting to communicate. The method serves to replace the current ‘synchronous’ method of phone session initiation (which allows random people to interrupt one's flow) with a system that allows both parties to indicate when they are ready and willing to communicate with particular parties. Instead of a first party directly calling a second party, both indicate readiness to talk to each other by means of (for instance) status indicators on a smartphone, thereby eliminating the obtrusive nature of the time-limited phone ring. The method also includes an apparatus that determines which is the optimal party to actually place the call such that overall expenses may be minimized.

A plurality of users are associated with a system having at least one information processor coupled to a communication network. Multiple wireless access points to the communication network are provided; and multiple of the users associated with the system are provided VoIP access to the communication network via the access points.

Systems and methods are provided for processing messages in an Offline Charging System (OFCS) of a communications services provider. A front-end distributor unit receives Diameter messages from a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) and distributes the Diameter messages to Charging Data Function (CDF) units of the OFCS. The distributor unit receives Diameter response messages from CDFs and calculates performance metrics based on the distributed messages and their responses. The distributor unit computes revised distribution weights used for distributing new Diameter messages for new Diameter sessions to the CDF units based on the measured metrics, thus adjusting the distribution pattern of the Diameter messages based on estimated workload conditions at the CDFs.