ENHANCED INTERCONNECTION CAPACITY FOR SUBSCRIBERS TO CARRIER NETWORKS

摘要

Method and apparatus for enhancing the ability of a subscriber to connect to a carrier network by enabling the service provider to indicate to the subscriber when a requested connection (26) to the carrier network would utilize unguaranteed bandwidth and, absent objection by the subscriber, to complete the requested connection (26) utilizing the unguaranteed bandwidth. Upon receipt of a request (26) for set-up of a call of an indicated bandwidth, the service provider will acknowledge the call set-up request. The service provider will then issue a call proceeding message (42) to indicate that the requested connection is being arranged. The call proceeding message (42) will contain an unguaranteed bandwidth indicator if the carrier network cannot guarantee the requested bandwidth. If a cancellation (40) of the call request is not received in response to the unguaranteed bandwidth indicator, the call will be completed (42).