ENHANCED OVERFLOW CALL PROCESSING

A system and method for Enhanced Overflow Call Processing redirects calls which cannot be completed to alternate terminations. An originating switch (212) queries a network database (208) for an alternate termination for the call each time the originating switch detects that the call cannot be completed to the current termination. The network dababase determines the alternate termination for each query using a hierarchical set of multi-branch overflow statements, which are configured by the user (212-10). A set of overflow statements is selected by the network database on the original termination of the call. The set of overflow statements is searched hierarchically until an active overflow statement is found. This overflow statement then controls all queries relating to that call. The reason the call was not completed is used to select either an alternate termination to which the call is to be routed or a particular treatment, such as a busy signal or network message, which is to be applied to the call. If an alternate termination is selected the originating switch routes the call to the alternate termination. The process then repeats until either the call is completed, the overflow statement specifies a treatment is to be applied, or a predetermined number of completion attempts to alternate terminating have occurred.