Routing of toll-free numbers and text messages using a toll-free exchange
Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a method of routing text messages to subscribers of toll-free numbers using the toll-free exchange. Typically, an originating texter will draft a text message, using, for example, an SMS component of a cellular phone to a toll-free subscriber. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the text message is sent to the originating texter's service provider, which then routes the text message to the toll-free exchange. The toll-free exchange looks up the RESPORG ID associated with the ten-digit toll-free number, and the RESPORG ID is used for text message routing.
1. A method for routing a call directed to a toll-free number to be routed over a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising:
receiving a request associated with the call having an indication of the toll-free number;
identifying an entry in a database that associates the toll-free number with a network address; and
in response to the received request, generating a response having the network address associated with the toll-free number to route the call via a network different from the PSTN.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second request associated with a second call directed to a second toll-free number;
determining that the database does not have an entry for the second toll-free number; and
generating a response to the second request indicating that the second toll-free number is not registered.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating a routing path for the toll-free number based at least in part on the network address.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, via an enrollment website, enrollment information for the toll-free number that indicates the network address; and
generating the entry in the database that associates the toll-free number with the network address.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the enrollment information further comprises an indication of a responsible organization (RESPORG) associated with the toll-free number.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the entry in the database further comprises the indication of the RESPORG.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the entry in the database further comprises payment information for the RESPORG.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the response comprises generating an IP address, the IP address comprising the network address and a host address.
9. A method for routing a call directed to a toll-free number to be routed over a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising:
receiving, via an enrollment website, enrollment information for a toll-free number that indicates a network address;
generating an entry in the database that associates the toll-free number with the network address;
receiving a request associated with the call having an indication of the toll-free number;
identifying the entry in a database that associates the toll-free number with the network address; and
in response to the received request, generating a response having the network address associated with the toll-free number to route the call via a network different from the PSTN.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving a second request associated with a second call directed to a second toll-free number;
determining that the database does not have an entry for the second toll-free number; and
generating a response to the second request indicating that the second toll-free number is not registered.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
generating a routing path for the toll-free number based at least in part on the network address.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the enrollment information further comprises an indication of a responsible organization (RESPORG) associated with the toll-free number.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the entry in the database further comprises the indication of the RESPORG.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the entry in the database further comprises payment information for the RESPORG.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein generating the response comprises generating an IP address, the IP address comprising the network address and a host address.
16. A system comprising:
at least one processor; and
memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform a set of operations, the set of operations comprising:
receiving a request associated with the call having an indication of the toll-free number;
identifying an entry in a database that associates the toll-free number with a network address; and
in response to the received request, generating a response having the network address associated with the toll-free number to route the call via a network different from the PSTN.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:
receiving a second request associated with a second call directed to a second toll-free number;
determining that the database does not have an entry for the second toll-free number; and
generating a response to the second request indicating that the second toll-free number is not registered.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:
generating a routing path for the toll-free number based at least in part on the network address.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:
receiving, via an enrollment website, enrollment information for the toll-free number that indicates the network address; and
generating the entry in the database that associates the toll-free number with the network address.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the enrollment information further comprises an indication of a responsible organization (RESPORG) associated with the toll-free number.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the entry in the database further comprises the indication of the RESPORG.
22. The system of claim 16 , wherein the entry in the database further comprises payment information for the RESPORG.
23. The system of claim 16 , wherein the set of operations comprises generating the response by generating an IP address, the IP address comprising the network address and a host address.