SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEIGHTED MULTI-ROUTE SELECTION IN IP TELEPHONY
Systems and methods can be used for selecting eligible egress routes for IP telephony termination when multiple eligible carriers exist. The method uses any of a variety of factors to determine eligible egress routes, including for example, cost, eligibility and carrier relationship as determining factors. The disclosed method includes returning multiple routes for route advancement to a next most preferred carrier in the event of preferred carrier failure.
1 . A method of selecting a carrier for routing a telephone call, comprising:
identifying a list of eligible carriers;
identifying a plurality selection factors related to each eligible carrier;
evaluating the factors relative to each carrier;
assigning a score to each of the carriers based on the evaluation;
selecting the carrier with the highest score to route the call.
2 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the selection factors include dollar cost of a carrier, quality of the carrier, administrative preferences associated with a carrier, and contractual agreements with the carriers.
3 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the telephone call is a VoIP call.
4 . A method as in claim 1 , further comprising assigning a weight value to each one of the factors.
5 . A method as in claim 1 , further comprising selecting the carrier with the next highest score to route the call if the carrier with the highest score is unable to route the call.
6 . A method as in claim 1 , further comprising removing ineligible carriers from a priority list.