Provision of group services in a telecommunications network

摘要

The invention relates to a method and system for providing group services in a telecommunications network. Groups of subscribers can be created and each group associated with its own telephone number. A member of a group can communicate with others in that group using a group service and the telephone number associated with the group. The invention in particular to providing a number of different, and separately processed, group services which can be accessed using a common group telephone dialling number. In one embodiment the invention involves: receiving a first service request in a first communications mode, said first service request including a first telephone dialling number, routing said first service request to a first destination selected on the basis of said first telephone dialling number, in response to receipt of said first service request at said first destination, selecting said first group of participants on the basis of said first telephone dialling number; in response to selection of the first group, providing a first group service to the selected first group of participants; receiving a second service request in a second communications mode, which communications mode is different to said first communications mode, said second service request including the first telephone dialling number; routing said second service request to a second destination selected on the basis of said first telephone dialling number; in response to receipt of said second service request at said second destination, selecting a second group of participants on the basis of said first telephone dialling number; and in response to selection of the second group, providing a second group service to the selected second group of participants.