A system for selecting communication routes based on multiple criteria is disclosed. Disclosed in the present application are a number of systems and associated processes for allowing users to configure call routing systems to dynamically route calls by performing one or more of: ranking call destinations (e.g., vendors or trunk locations), adjusting or replacing route groups, queuing calls, activating interactive voice responses (IVRs), and re-purposing ports and trunks.

Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a method of routing text messages to subscribers of toll-free numbers using the toll-free exchange. Typically, an originating texter will draft a text message, using, for example, an SMS component of a cellular phone to a toll-free subscriber. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the text message is sent to the originating texter's service provider, which then routes the text message to the toll-free exchange. The toll-free exchange looks up the RESPORG ID associated with the ten-digit toll-free number, and the RESPORG ID is used for text message routing.

Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a method of routing toll-free telephone calls using a toll-free exchange, thereby minimizing the number of hand-offs, increasing the technological capability and reducing the ultimate cost of the toll-free call. Toll-free subscribers are generally assessed a cost based on each exchange plus the duration of the call. Subscribers are also limited to the decades old technological standards of PSTN switching. It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to minimize the number of exchanges, promote technological possibility and simplify the process of directing a toll-free telephone call by providing a toll-free exchange.

A mobile communications system includes switching between communication paths based on the quality of service. A VoIP service is coupled to a mobile network and a wireless local-area network (WLAN) via a wide-area IP network. A plurality of mobile communications devices are associated with VoIP telephone numbers. A public switched telephone network (PSTN) is coupled to the plurality of mobile communications devices and coupled to the VoIP service. A quality of service server is coupled to the plurality of mobile communications devices via the wide-area IP network for determining the quality of data channels to a mobile communications device via the mobile network and to the mobile communications device via the WLAN. A voice call is carried over one of the mobile network, the WLAN, and the PSTN depending on the quality of the data channels.

Usage rates for user equipment (UEs) in a peer to peer wireless network are disclosed. For instance, a network device communicates via a first wireless connection with the network device, wherein the first wireless connection employs a first frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band corresponds to a first rate model. Then, a request is received to change the first frequency band to a second frequency band. A second wireless connection is established with the network device, wherein the second wireless connection employs the second frequency band, and wherein the second frequency band corresponds to a second rate model different than the first rate model.

Usage rates for user equipments (UEs) in a peer to peer wireless network are disclosed. For instance, a network device communicates via a first wireless connection with the network device, wherein the first wireless connection employs a first frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band corresponds to a first rate model. Then, a request is received to change the first frequency band to a second frequency band. A second wireless connection is established with the network device, wherein the second wireless connection employs the second frequency band, and wherein the second frequency band corresponds to a second rate model different than the first rate model.

A mobile communications system includes switching between communication paths based on the quality of service. A VoIP service is coupled to a mobile network and a wireless local-area network (WLAN) via a wide-area IP network. A plurality of mobile communications devices are associated with VoIP telephone numbers. A public switched telephone network (PSTN) is coupled to the plurality of mobile communications devices and coupled to the VoIP service. A quality of service server is coupled to the plurality of mobile communications devices via the wide-area IP network for determining the quality of data channels to a mobile communications device via the mobile network and to the mobile communications device via the WLAN. A voice call is carried over one of the mobile network, the WLAN, and the PSTN depending on the quality of the data channels.

A method for predicting fraudulent call activity is provided. The method includes receiving one or more datasets indicating call activity corresponding to a phone number, and analyzing the one or more datasets to identify unusual call activity. The method further includes generating a fraud prediction, based at least in part on the identified unusual call activity, that the phone number will be used for fraud.

A system for handling calls in a network includes a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations include receiving information about the calls for a time interval, determining, for the time interval, a total cost associated with handling the calls, including a network cost associated with transmitting data over the network, a processing cost for processing the information related to the calls, and a cost of dynamically reassigning master and slave roles to a plurality of nodes in the network. The operations further include determining an assignment of the master and slave roles for a plurality of accounts being handled by the plurality of nodes that results in the total cost having a minimum value, and implementing the optimal assignment among the plurality of the accounts based on the determination.

A method for identifying a fraudulent phone number is provided. The method includes receiving a user report dataset indicating fraudulent activity corresponding to a phone number, and responsive to receiving the user report dataset, identifying a record in a database corresponding to the phone number. The method further includes tagging the record to identify the phone number as being associated with fraudulent activity.