| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus enables a Network Access Server (NAS) in conjunction with a telecommunications switch to combine computer protocols with telecommunications signaling. For instance, a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is combined with B-Answer and B-on-Hook signals. When a subscriber dials into an NAS to access a private network (e.g., the Internet), the various phases of a PPP are addressed. The network phase provides communication throughput from the subscriber to the Internet. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a B-Answer signal is sent to the telecommunications network after the network phase is entered. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a B-on-Hook signal is sent to the telecommunications network approximately as the "Closing" transition of the PPP occurs. Telecommunications network billing therefore occurs as a result of, and in direct proportion to, Internet communication provided to the subscriber.
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