Integrated communication system and method

A method according to any preceding claim further comprising generating a data record, the data record including at least one of:

• an identifier of the first user and/or the second user in the telecommunications network;
• an identifier of the network provider for the first user and/or the second user in the telecommunications network;
• an identifier of the type of telecommunications link requested between the first user and the second user;
• an indication of the length of time for which the first and second user are connected over the telecommunications link;
• and
• an indication of the value ascribed to the telecommunications link for the telecommunications network.

A method according to any preceding claim further comprising:

• receiving in a first network a request from a first user to establish a connection to a second user, wherein the request comprises an identifier of the second user in the first network;
• retrieving an identifier for the second user in a second network;
• and
• establishing a connection between the first and the second user, wherein the connection is established at least in part over the second network.

Apparatus for providing a telecommunications link between a first user and a second user in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving a request from the first user to provide a telecommunications link to the second user;
• means for determining from a server hosting a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network independent of the telecommunications network whether the first user and the second user have a specified relationship in the community of users;
• and
• means for specifying at least one setting for the telecommunications link based on whether the first user and the second user have a specified relationship in the community of users.

Apparatus for providing a telecommunications link between a first user and a second user in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising:

• an input interface for receiving a request from the first user to provide a telecommunications link to the second user;
• a processor operable to determine from a server hosting a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network independent of the telecommunications network whether the first user and the second user have a specified relationship in the community of users;
• and
• a processor operable to specify at least one setting for the telecommunications link based on whether the first user and the second user have a specified relationship in the community of users.

A method of managing connections between users in a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network, the interactions including forming specified relationships between specific users in the community of users, the method comprising:

• receiving a notification of a new specified relationship formed between a first user and a second user in the community of users;
• determining an identifier for each of the first and second users in a telecommunications network separate to the communications network;
• identifying a service provider for at least one of the first and second users in the telecommunications network;
• and
• transmitting to at least one identified service provider information identifying the first and second users and indicating the formation of a specified relationship between the first and second user.

A method of managing connections between users in a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network, the interactions including forming specified relationships between specific users in the community of users, the method comprising:

• providing an interface to a telecommunications network separate to the communications network for providing direct telecommunications links between users;
• receiving a query from the telecommunications network, the query identifying a requested communication link between first and second user;
• extracting from the query an identifier of the first and second user;
• analysing the identifiers of the first and second users to determine whether a specified relationship exists between the first and second users in the community of users;
• and
• transmitting to the telecommunications network a reply message indicating whether a specified relationship exists between the first and second users in the community of users.

A method of processing communication interactions between users of a telecommunications network in accordance with relationships defined between users in a social networking service community, comprising:

• processing a telecommunication interaction via the telecommunications network between first and second users of the telecommunications network;
• receiving social networking relationship data relating to a relationship between the first and second user in the social networking service community;
• and
• performing processing relating to the telecommunication interaction in dependence on the social networking relationship data.

A system for managing connections between users in a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network, the interactions including forming specified relationships between specific users in the community of users, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a notification of a new specified relationship formed between a first user and a second user in the community of users;
• means for determining an identifier for each of the first and second users in a telecommunications network separate to the communications network;
• means for identifying a service provider for at least one of the first and second users in the telecommunications network;
• and
• means for transmitting to at least one identified service provider information identifying the first and second users and indicating the formation of a specified relationship between the first and second user.

A system for managing connections between users in a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network, the interactions including forming specified relationships between specific users in the community of users, the system comprising:

• means for providing an interface to a telecommunications network separate to the communications network for providing direct telecommunications links between users;
• means for receiving a query from the telecommunications network, the query identifying a requested communication link between first and second users;
• means for extracting from the query an identifier of the first and second user;
• means for analysing the identifiers of the first and second users to determine whether a specified relationship exists between the first and second users in the community of users;
• and
• means for transmitting to the telecommunications network a reply message indicating whether a specified relationship exists between the first and second users in the community of users.

A system for processing communication interactions between users of a telecommunications network in accordance with relationships defined between users in a social networking service community, comprising:

• means for processing a telecommunication interaction via the telecommunications network between first and second users of the telecommunications network;
• means for receiving social networking relationship data relating to a relationship between the first and second user in the social networking service community;
• and
• means for performing processing relating to the telecommunication interaction in dependence on the social networking relationship data.