Class-of-service automatic routing

Local/toll dynamic routing integration is achieved within a telecommunications network (14) that includes at least one dynamic routing local switching system (24-1) for receiving incoming calls and a plurality of toll switching systems (27-1 through 27-7) at least one of which is associated with each local switching system. For each incoming call, the local switching system (24-1) derives a set of Class-Of-Service (COS) parameters indicative of the class-of service associated with the call. In accordance with the COS parameters, the local switching system (24-1) determines whether each incoming call is a featured call, requiring routing to the toll switching system associated therewith, or a non-featured call. Featured calls are routed to the toll switching system associated with the local switching system for feature processing, whereas non-featured calls are routed by the local switching system itself in accordance with the COS parameters, thus relieving the load on the associated toll switching system. A technique called Class-of-Service Automatic Routing (CSAR) allows the local/toll dynamic routing network integration with class-of-service routing capabilities. CSAR provides a simplified implementation of dynamic routing, which builds on real-time network routing (RTNR) and success-to-the-top (STT) routing. RTNR uses the exchange of real-time status information through Common Channel Signaling (CCS) to select the best route on a call-by-call basis. STT, on the other hand, uses a technique to search routes until a successful route to the destination is found, and that successful route is used for all calls until blocked whereupon a new successful path is sought. CSAR uses RTNR when both the originating switch and terminating switch have RTNR capability, but uses the STT routing method when either the originating switch or terminating switch does not have RTNR capability. Furthermore, STT routing and RTNR routing can be combined in CSAR depending on the capabilities of the switches encountered in the call path. CSAR provides local/toll network integration, with class-of-service routing capabilities, yielding the benefits of dynamic routing, which include (a) improved service quality, (b) increased service flexibility, (c) additional revenue and revenue retention, and (d) cost reduction.