Repeat dialing in wireless networks to called parties that are powered off

A method of operating a wireless network for providing repeat dialing, the wireless network comprising an originating Mobile Switching Center (MSC) system, a Home Location Register (HLR) system for a called party, and a serving Mobile Switching Center (MSC) system that serves the called party, the method comprising:

• receiving a repeat dialing instruction in the originating MSC system from a calling party placing a first call to the called party that is powered off;
• transmitting a repeat dialing indicator from the originating MSC system to the HLR system for the called party;
• identifying when the called party powers on in the HLR system for the called party;
• and
• transmitting an instruction from the HLR system to the serving MSC system to attempt to set up a second call between the called party and the calling party responsive to identifying that the called party has powered on.

A wireless network for providing repeat dialing, the wireless network comprising:

• an originating Mobile Switching Center (O-MSC) that serves a calling party;
• a Home Location Register (HLR) for a called party;
• and
• a serving Mobile Switching Center (S-MSC) that serves the called party;
• the O-MSC receives a first call from the calling party to the called party and transmits a query message to the HLR for the called party;
• the HLR for the called party determines that the called party is powered off responsive to the query message, and transmits a response message to the O-MSC indicating that the called party is powered off;
• the O-MSC indicates to the calling party that the called party is powered off, receives a repeat dialing instruction from the calling party, and transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the HLR for the called party;
• the HLR for the called party receives the repeat dialing indicator, identifies when the called party powers on, and transmits an instruction to the S-MSC to attempt to set up a second call between the called party and the calling party responsive to identifying that the called party powered on.