Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing regional survivable calling over a packet network

A system comprising:

• a first access node configured to couple to a first endpoint and a communications server, the first access node configured to be directly connected to endpoints, the first access node comprising:
• a communication circuitry configured to:
• receive a call request from the first endpoint, wherein the call request comprises an identifier of a second endpoint connected to a second access node, the second access node configured to be directly connected to endpoints;
• and
• transmit a control message to a communications server, wherein the communications server is configured to provide calling features to the first endpoint;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• determine that the first access node is disconnected from the communications server;
• determine that the second endpoint is not connected to the first access node;
• and
• in response to determining that the first access node is disconnected from the communication server and determining that the second endpoint is not connected to the first access node, instruct the communication circuitry to contact the second access node, wherein the first endpoint uses a first network access technology, wherein the second endpoint uses a second network access technology different than the first access technology, wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to receive a response from the second access node, wherein the response indicates that the second endpoint is coupled to the second access node, and wherein the processor is further configured to set up a call between the endpoint and the second endpoint via the first access node using the first network access technology and via the second access node using the second network access technology, wherein the first access node and the second access node use a protocol that is common to both the first and second access nodes and the first access node is configured to convert call data and control information from the first endpoint to packets that are communicated using the protocol.

A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly recording computer program logic for establishing a call between endpoints coupled to different access nodes when the access nodes lose communication with a session and services control layer, the computer program product comprising:

• code to determine that a first access node is disconnected from the session and services control layer, wherein the session and services control layer provides calling features to a first endpoint coupled to the first access node, the first access node configured to be directly connected to endpoints;
• and
• code to provide communication service between the first endpoint and a second endpoint connected to a second access node after the first access node is disconnected from the session and services control layer, the second access node configured to be directly connected to endpoints, wherein the first access node is coupled to the first endpoint using a first network access technology, wherein the second access node is coupled to the second endpoint using a second network access technology different than the first network access technology, and wherein communication service is provided between the endpoint and the second endpoint via the first access node using the first network access technology and via the second access node using the second network access technology, wherein the first access node and the second access node use a protocol that is common to both the first and second access nodes and the first access node is configured to convert call data and control information from the first endpoint to packets that are communicated using the protocol.