Premium communication sessions

A method of providing a premium multiparty communication session between a plurality of callers in a communication system, the method comprising an initiating caller initiating the premium multiparty communication session, wherein the plurality of callers comprises:

• the initiating caller who does not have a status in the communication system which is recognized by an operator of the communication system for allowing the premium multiparty communication session to proceed;
• and
• a premium multiparty caller who has a status in the communication system which is recognized by the operator of the communication system such that the operator allows the premium multiparty communication session to proceed,
• wherein the premium multiparty caller is a different caller to the initiating caller.

A method of handling a communication session between a plurality of callers in a communication system, the method comprising:

• receiving a request from one of the plurality of callers to convert the communication session into a premium communication session;
• determining whether another one of the plurality of callers has a status which indicates that premium communication sessions are to be allowed to proceed;
• and
• if it is determined that said other one of the plurality of callers has said status, converting the communication session into a premium communication session.

A communication system configured to handle a communication session between a plurality of callers, the communication system comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a request from one of the plurality of callers to convert the communication session into a premium communication session;
• determining means for determining whether another one of the plurality of callers has a status which indicates that premium communication sessions are to be allowed to proceed;
• and
• converting means for converting the communication session into a premium communication session if it is determined that said other one of the plurality of callers has said status.

A method of handling a premium communication session between a plurality of callers in a communication system, wherein a first of the plurality of callers is in a validating condition which indicates that the premium communication session is allowed to proceed, the method comprising:

• during the premium communication session, determining that the first caller is no longer in the validating condition;
• determining whether a second of the plurality of callers is in the validating condition which indicates that the premium communication session is allowed to proceed;
• and
• responsive to the determination that the first caller is no longer in the validating condition, if it has been determined that the second caller is in the validating condition, maintaining the premium communication session.

A communication system configured to handle a premium communication session between a plurality of callers, wherein the communication system is configured to allow the premium communication session to proceed on the basis that a first of the plurality of callers is in a validating condition, the communication system comprising:

• first determining means for determining, during the premium communication session, that the first caller is no longer in the validating condition;
• and
• second determining means for determining whether a second of the plurality of callers is in the validating condition which indicates that the premium communication session is allowed to proceed,
• wherein the communication system is configured to maintain the premium communication session responsive to the determination that the first caller is no longer in the validating condition if it has been determined that the second caller is in the validating condition.