Internet telephone service with mediation

摘要

A communication network system comprising telephone networks concatenated with a packet switched data internetwork such as the Internet is provided. The network system transports voice signals therethrough while minimizing circuit overload in the telephone network circuits inputting signals to be transported through the internetwork. The telephone networks have a common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) system using signaling system 7 (SS7) signals. The input load to the internetwork from the telephone systems is monitored by monitoring the control signals in the SS7 network. When an overload condition occurs or appears imminent all or part of the load is switched from the trunk circuits of the telephone network to the SS7 network following protocol translation and multiplexing with the control signals in the SS7 network. Provision is made for insuring excess capacity in the SS7 network before load is transferred.