A
connection broker (44), located between lower-level
system entities (16, 58, 264) associated with a
narrowband-
broadband interface (250) and a call
server (18) that controls call connection across the
narrowband-
broadband network, contains a memory (251) that stores connection-related information and protocol
converters. The
connection broker (44) accesses the protocol
converters to interpret control messages received from the call
server (18) and, where necessary, transposes messages for the call
server into a standardised format for use over a uniform fabric application interface (66). Control messages pertaining to connection paths within the
narrowband-
broadband network (250) and relayed via the
connection broker (44) are appropriately phrased (by the connection-related information and protocol
converters) to ensure that meaningful information and instruction is communicated between the call server (18) and the lower-level
system entities (16, 58, 264). Use of the protocol converters therefore enables connection attributes and network operation and configuration to be altered and advised in-call by having the connection broker (44) both change connection-related information and communicate any change in
network configuration to the call server and lower-level
system entities, as appropriate.