Apparatus and method for voice over IP traffic separation and factor determination

1. A system for identifying calls traversing a packet network, the system comprising:

an analysis device that receives first signaling information from a packet network and second signaling information from a circuit network, the analysis device correlating the first signaling information with the second signaling information to generate correlated records about calls that traverse both the packet switched network and the circuit network;

a database system that receives the correlated records and calculates statistics describing traffic that traversed both the packet network and the circuit network.

2. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the database system enriches the correlated records prior to calculating the statistics.

3. A system, as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the database system enriches the correlated records with information from static tables.

4. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second signaling information is SS7 message signaling units.

5. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first signaling information is obtained by signal monitoring.

6. A system, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein SIP signals are monitored.

7. A system, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein H.323 signals are monitored.

8. A system, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein MGCP signals are monitored.

9. A system, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein H.248 signals are monitored.

10. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first signaling information is obtained from a softswitch.

11. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics include minutes of use for calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

12. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics include the number of calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

13. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics include minutes of use for wireless calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

14. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics include the number of wireless calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

15. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics include minutes of use for calls that utilize enhanced services.

16. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics include the number of calls that utilize enhanced services.

17. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics are further sorted by jurisdiction.

18. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics are broken down by gateway.

19. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the statistics are broken down by trunk used.

20. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the packet network is operated by an IXC and the circuit network is operated by an LEC.

21. A system, as set forth in claim 20 , wherein the analysis device is operated by a third party.

22. A method for identifying calls traversing a packet network, the method comprising:

receiving first signaling information from a packet network;

receiving second signaling information from a circuit network;

correlating the first signaling information with the second signaling information to generate correlated records about calls that traverse both the packet switched network and the circuit network;

calculating statistics describing traffic that traversed both the packet network and the circuit network.

23. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , further comprising enriching the correlated records prior to calculating the statistics.

24. A method, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the step of enriching the correlated records comprises retrieving information from static tables using keys from the correlated records and adding the retrieved information to the correlated records.

25. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the second signaling information is SS7 message signaling units.

26. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the step of receiving first signaling information comprises monitoring signals on the packet network and extracting the first signaling information.

27. A method, as set forth in claim 26 , wherein SIP signals are monitored.

28. A method, as set forth in claim 26 , wherein H.323 signals are monitored.

29. A method, as set forth in claim 26 , wherein MGCP signals are monitored.

30. A method, as set forth in claim 26 , wherein H.248 signals are monitored.

31. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the step of receiving first signaling information comprises receiving the first signaling information from a softswitch.

32. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the statistics include minutes of use for calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

33. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the statistics include the number of calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

34. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the statistics include minutes of use for wireless calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

35. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the statistics include the number of wireless calls traversing both the packet network and the circuit network.

36. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the statistics include minutes of use for calls that utilize enhanced services.

37. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the statistics include the number of calls that utilize enhanced services.

38. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , further comprising sorting the statistics by jurisdiction.

39. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , further comprising breaking down the statistics by gateway.

40. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , further comprising breaking down the statistics by trunk used.

41. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the packet network is operated by an IXC and the circuit network is operated by an LEC.

42. A method, as set forth in claim 41 , wherein the method is performed by a third party.