Method for administering advanced number portability numbers

摘要

A method and apparatus for finding and assigning both commercially valuable and vanity (CSV) numbers in a telecommunicatons system that permits number portability. CSV numbers are identified by a rules based process that combs the unused number database (24) for valuable combinaton and saves those numbers in a special database. Those numbers that are not so identified stay in the unused number database (24) for general assignment. To assign a CSV number, a similar process is used to generate candidate numbers based on a desired keyword, and then the candidate numbers are used to query the special database and even the general unused number database (24) to get available candidates. The available candidates are offered to the requesting user and the user may accept or decline.