Method for providing echo control devices in communication links to intelligent peripherals

In combination with a terminal and an intelligent peripheral having an echo compensation device generating an echo propagation time cancellation signal elk, a system for providing echo compensation in a connection between the terminal and the intelligent peripherals, the system comprising:

• a communications network connecting the terminal to the intelligent peripheral, said communications network having further echo control devices and switching nodes connected to said further echo control devices, said switching nodes including a first access node for connecting to the intelligent peripheral and a second access node for connecting to the terminal, said further echo control devices can be requested when required and can be inserted into established connections in order to cancel any echo signals which occur, said first access node for the intelligent peripheral has an echo control logic for performing a comparison between one of a first signal propagation time vlz and a second signal propagation time vlze and the echo propagation time cancellation signal elk of the intelligent peripheral, said echo control logic can request that one of said further echo control devices be available if one of vlz>½ elk and vlze>½ elk is met.