System and method of managing interconnections in mobile communications

A method for use in managing interconnections in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center (MSC) and at least one base station subsystem (BS), wherein the MSC and BS each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol, the method comprising:

• determining that a condition exists in the network that affects the operation of a device in the network, the device including a proxy switch for use in the network, the proxy switch comprising signaling message handling logic for receiving messages from the MSC and BS in accordance with said mobile signaling protocol;
• message interception logic, cooperating with the signaling message handling logic, for sending an acknowledgment message to an MSC or BS that transmits a signaling message received by the signaling message handling logic and for preventing the signaling messages from being forwarded to the other of the BS and MSC respectively;
• message conversion logic, cooperating with the signaling message handling logic, for converting a signaling message received by the signaling message handling logic from one of the MSC and BS into a converted signaling message for transmission to the other of the BS and MSC, respectively;
• and message transmission logic, cooperating with signaling message handling logic, for transmitting signaling messages from one of the MSC and the BS to the other of the BS and MSC, respectively;
• and
• causing the network to operate in a manner that is consistent with the absence of the device from the network.

A system for use in managing interconnections in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center (MSC) and at least one base station subsystem (BS), wherein the MSC and BS each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol, the method comprising:

• a first mechanism responsive to a condition existing in the network that affects the operation of a device in the network, the device including a proxy switch for use in the network, the proxy switch comprising signaling message handling logic for receiving messages from the MSC and BS in accordance with said mobile signaling protocol;
• message interception logic, cooperating with the signaling message handling logic, for sending an acknowledgment message to an MSC or BS that transmits a signaling message received by the signaling message handling logic and for preventing the signaling messages from being forwarded to the other of the BS and MSC respectively;
• message conversion logic, cooperating with the signaling message handling logic, for converting a signaling message received by the signaling message handling logic from one of the MSC and BS into a converted signaling message for transmission to the other of the BS and MSC, respectively;
• and message transmission logic, cooperating with signaling message handling logic, for transmitting signaling messages from one of the MSC and the BS to the other of the BS and MSC, respectively;
• and
• a second mechanism responsive to the first mechanism and operative to electrically isolate the device from the network.