Method and apparatus for use in providing a discounted call rate for wireless communications

A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a processing apparatus to perform a method for use in providing a discounted call rate for wireless communications, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining whether an originating subscriber and a terminating subscriber of a telephone call are located within a predetermined geographic area having different boundaries than a home area of at least one of the subscribers having a wireless connection in the telephone call;
• determining whether a predetermined relationship exists between the originating and terminating subscribers;
• and
• providing data that is indicative of a discounted call rate for the wireless connection if it is determined that the originating and terminating subscribers are located within the predetermined geographic area and have the predetermined relationship.

A software-implemented method for use in providing a discounted wireless call rate for wireless communications, the method comprising:

• receiving a call record having an originating telephone number, a terminating telephone number, and one or more system identification codes (SIDs);
• determining whether the one or more SIDs are included as part of a predetermined geographic area that is smaller than and included within boundaries of a home area of at least one of the telephone numbers;
• determining whether a predefined relationship exists between the originating telephone number and the terminating telephone number;
• and
• providing data that is indicative of a discounted wireless call rate if it is determined that (1) the one or more SIDs are included as part of the predetermined geographic area, and (2) the predetermined relationship exists between the originating telephone number and the terminating telephone number.