Subscriber access network, exchange, service control point, and method of establishing a connection

An exchange for a subscriber access network for the connection of terminals which can be reached through the subscriber access network by means of respective public numbers assigned to them in a public numbering range, characterized in that the exchange comprises second means for determining those of two or more private branch exchanges of the subscriber access network from a connection request with a called public number in whose private numbering range the called public number is assigned to a terminal as an extension number, and that the exchange comprises third means for entering a virtual number, consisting of a private branch exchange identification assigned to the private branch exchange determined and the called public number, in the connection request as a called number.

A service control point (SCP) for a subscriber access network (AN) for the connection of terminals (TE1 to TE8) which can be reached through the subscriber access network (AN) by means of respective public numbers (CN) assigned to them in a public numbering range, the service control point (SCP) comprising first means (KOM) for communicating with a service exchange (SSP) of the subscriber access network (AN),

• characterized in that the service control point comprises second means (CONTR1) for determining that (PABXC) of two or more private branch exchanges (PABX1 to PABX3) of the subscriber access network from a connection request with a called public number (CN) in whose private numbering range the called public number (CN) is assigned to a terminal as an extension number, and that the service control point comprises third means (CONTR2) adapted to initiate the entry of a virtual number (CVN), consisting of a private branch exchange identification assigned to the private branch exchange determined and the called public number, in the connection request as a called number.

A method of establishing a connection to a terminal (TE5) of a subscriber access network (AN), the method comprising the step of routing a connection request directed to the terminal and containing a called public number (CN) corresponding to the number of the terminal according to a public numbering range to a switching unit (SSP, SCP) of the subscriber access network (AN),

• characterized in that by means of the called public number (CN), the switching unit (SSP, SCP) determines that of two or more private branch exchanges (PABX1 to PABX3) of the subscriber access network (AN) in whose private numbering range the called public number (CN) is assigned to the terminal (TE5) as an extension number, that the switching unit (SSP, SCP) forms a called virtual number (CVN) from the called public number (CN) and a private branch exchange identification assigned to the private branch exchange (PABX2) determined, and enters said called virtual number (CVN) in the connection request, and that the connection request with the called virtual number (CVN) is routed to the private branch exchange (PABX2) determined, thereby initiating the establishment of the connection.