Combining narrowband applications with broadband transport

An arrangement for combining narrowband and broadband transport mechanisms in a communications network, comprising:

• a first node, said first node including switching intelligence;
• a second node, said second node including broadband switching fabric;
• and
• an interworking entity, said interworking entity operatively connectable to said first node and said second node, said interworking entity adapted to receive data in a first format from said first node, map the received data into a second format interpretable by said second node, and send the mapped data to said second node.

A method for combining narrowband and broadband transport mechanisms in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• sending a first communication path instruction from a first node to a second node;
• mapping the first communication path instruction to a second communication path instruction at the second node;
• sending the second communication path instruction from the second node to at least one third node;
• and
• establishing a communication path responsive to the second communication path instruction.