Method for efficient bearer traffic routing in a communication system
View Patent ↗A method for routing bearer traffic ( 70 ′) between 3G networks ( 32, 42 ) and 2G networks ( 12, 22 ) and vice versa uses voice signaling gateways (VSGW)( 14, 24, 34, 44 ). The method determines a VSGW nearest the calling party ( 11 ). The nearest VSGW directly routes ( 86 ) the bearer traffic through the inter-network ( 50 ) to the called party ( 31 ) and avoids the “tromboning” effect of always sending bearer traffic to the called party's home location.
1. In a communication system a method for routing bearer traffic between a 3G network and a 2G network, the method for routing bearer traffic comprising the steps of:
if a calling party is roaming into a first network, determining by the first network a local gateway of the first network and in proximity to a calling party;
sending the bearer traffic by the first network to the local gateway; and
directly routing the bearer traffic from the local gateway to a called party through a second network in proximity to the called party.
2. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included a step of determining a location of the called party.
3. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first network includes the 2G network currently serving the calling party.
4. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the second network includes the 3G network currently serving the called party.
5. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first network includes the 3G network currently serving the calling party.
6. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the second network includes the 2G network currently serving the called party.
7. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of directly routing the bearer traffic includes a step of inhibiting transmission of the bearer traffic to a home gateway, if the calling party is roaming.
8. In a communication system, the method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included a step of routing the bearer traffic from the local gateway through an inter-connect network between the first and second networks to the called party.
9. A method for routing bearer traffic between a first network and a second network, the method for routing bearer traffic comprising the steps of:
if a calling party is roaming in the first network, determining by the first network a local gateway of the first network and in proximity to the calling party; and
directly routing the bearer traffic from the local gateway to a called party through the second network in proximity to the called party.
10. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 9 , wherein there is further included a step of sending the bearer traffic by the first network to the local gateway.
11. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the step of directly routing the bearer traffic includes a step of inhibiting transmission of the bearer traffic to a home gateway, if the calling party is roaming.
12. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 9 , wherein there is further included a step of determining a location of the called party.
13. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the first network includes a 2G network currently serving the calling party.
14. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the second network includes a 3G network currently serving the called party.
15. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the first network includes a 3G network currently serving the calling party.
16. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the second network includes a 2G network currently serving the called party.
17. The method for routing bearer traffic as claimed in claim 9 , wherein there is further included a step of routing the bearer traffic from the local gateway through an inter-connect network between the first and second networks to the called party.