Local Number Portability Call Tester for Routing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Local Number Portability (LNP) processes lack customer control over porting timing, do not allow customers to perform porting procedures themselves or through third parties, and lack testing capabilities to identify porting errors or status, leading to inefficiencies and customer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that includes a Local Number Portability (LNP) call tester (LCT) to determine porting activity status, a port check tool (PCT) to analyze current and target Local Routing Numbers (LRNs), and a port triggering capability that allows customers to control the activation sequence of porting processes, enabling customers to test porting activities and manage their own porting orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the LRN method is used to provide LNP, then routing speed is improved, but the complexity of the numbering system increases due to requiring two telephone numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing information (LRN) from the original telephone number and places it in a separate, accessible database location. The LCT retrieves routing information directly from the database without requiring the originating carrier to maintain or process the full LRN structure, thereby simplifying the overall numbering system while maintaining fast routing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The LCT acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the originating carrier and the SCP database. It provides a simplified interface for retrieving routing information, reducing the complexity burden on the numbering system while preserving the speed benefits of the LRN method.
2Extent of automation
If automatic port triggering is implemented by the core telecommunications carrier, then porting process automation is improved, but customer control over porting timing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic port triggering that can operate in multiple modes: fully automatic (high automation) or customer-initiated (high control). The triggering mechanism adapts to customer needs, allowing them to choose when to activate porting within the FOC window, thus balancing automation with customer control.
Solution Approach 2:
Customers are empowered to self-initiate the port triggering process through the LCT interface. They can independently test porting status, review FOC dates, and activate porting sequences without requiring carrier intervention, thereby maintaining automation benefits while enhancing customer control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customers are allowed to perform LNP procedures themselves or through third parties, then customer flexibility is improved, but the complexity of porting procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LCT serves as an intermediary tool that simplifies complex LNP procedures for customers and third parties. It provides a user-friendly interface that abstracts the technical complexity of porting operations, allowing customers to perform LNP procedures independently without needing to understand the underlying complex processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations and interfaces (copies) of the complex porting procedures. The LCT presents streamlined workflows and status indicators that mirror the actual porting process without exposing the full complexity, enabling customers to navigate LNP procedures easily.
4Reliability
If porting status testing capabilities are added to the LNP process, then error detection is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LCT implements feedback mechanisms that automatically test and report porting status at various stages of the LNP process. By providing real-time feedback on porting completion and accuracy, the system detects errors early without requiring complex manual verification procedures, thus improving reliability with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a telephone number (TN) to test for its porting activity as part of a local number portability (LNP) order, accessing a LNP call tester (LCT) to determine a current local routing number (LRN) for the TN, and determining, based on the TN and current LRN, whether the porting activity is completed for the TN in relation to a core telecommunications carrier servicing an owner of the TN. The porting activity may include at least one of port in, port out, and migration of the TN. In one embodiment, the planned porting activity for the TN associated with the LNP order is known prior to determining whether the porting activity has been completed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.