PREPAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

The prepay telecommunications system (60) includes a prepay call management platform (50) which is directly coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch (24). A customer database (116) is coupled to the prepay call management platform (50) for storing prepay customer data, and a plurality of customer interface facilities (62, 64, 66, 68, 80) are provided for accepting customer prepayment and immediately updating the customer database (116). The prepay calls are recognized by the mobile identification number and is routed to the prepay call management platform (50) coupled to and co-located with t he telecommunications carrier switch (24). The customer account balance associated with the prepay call is looked up in a customer database (116), and the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance is computed. The prepay call is the n released to the telecommunications carrier switch (24) for line termination. At the same time, a call duration timer is started. Th e call is disconnected in response to the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable call duration. The prepay telecommunications system is applicable to both wireless and non-wireless telecommunications systems. An unregistered roaming call is recognized by th e mobile identification number and is routed to the prepay call management platform (50) coupled to and co-located with the telecommunications carrier switch (24) for processing. The caller is prompted for a payment option which may include payment by credit card or a collect call. The caller is then prompted for a credit card number if the credit card option is selected. The credit card number may be validated and verified by a credit card verification processor (128) coupled to prepay call management platform (50). The prepay call is th en released to the telecommunications carrier switch (24) for line termination.