Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for routing local calls around the local exchange carrier includes an intelligent call diverter (ICD) which stores the Automatic Number Identification Code (ANI) of the calling telephone, and a headend for handling routing of telephone calls. When long distance calls are to be routed separately from local calls, the ICD determines whether an outgoing call is local or long distance, and routes the call accordingly. The ICD provides the ANI along with the long distance calls to the headend, and forwards local calls to the local exchange carrier (LEC). When the headend will operate as a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), the long distance calls and the local calls are routed to the headend by the ICD along with the ANI. The headend routes the long distance calls and the ANI to the appropriate interexchange carrier and the local calls and the ANI to the LEC or to another CLEC customer's telephone. The ICD may be used in a local area network setup, or with a dedicated twisted pair type line or wireless communication.

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First Claim