Facilitating communication between devices by requesting a status indicator of the ability of a second device to use a second communication method.

摘要

There is provided a method in a first communications device operable to communicate with a second device using a network supporting first (voice calls) and second different communication methods (e.g. video calls). The method comprises: allowing the first device to communicate with the second device using the first communication method; registering the first device on a service platform of the network; requesting from the service platform a second device status indicator of the ability of the second device to communicate using the second communication method; receiving the second device status indicator from the service platform; and, allowing the first device to communicate with the second device using the second communication method in dependence on the received second device status indicator. Aspects of the invention include the second device status indicator depending on at least one of: the current network connectivity or communication method capability of the second device; user status information; device hardware functionality; communication method QoS. Corresponding methods in a second communications device and service platform of a network are also provided as are devices adapted to perform the above method steps.