Communication network with a collection gateway and method for providing surveillance services

A communication network for providing communication services to a subscriber, wherein the communication network includes a bearer distribution network for transport of Internet Protocol (IP) bearer traffic associated with a surveillance target, the communication network comprising:

• a collection gateway that is interfaced with the bearer distribution network and with a law enforcement agency;
• a surveillance server that is interfaced with the bearer distribution network and the collection gateway, wherein the surveillance server receives a request for surveillance services from a requesting agency, receives signaling related to call set up for a call associated with the surveillance target, and in response to receipt of the signaling, announces the call to the collection gateway and provides surveillance-related signaling information to the collection gateway;
• and
• wherein the bearer distribution network is responsive to the surveillance server to direct the IP bearer traffic associated with the surveillance target to the collection gateway without the interposition of the surveillance server, which bearer traffic and the surveillance-related signaling information can be accessed by the law enforcement agency via the collection gateway.

In a communication network providing communication services for a subscriber, wherein the communication network includes a bearer distribution network for transport of Internet Protocol (IP) bearer traffic associated with a surveillance target, and wherein a server operates in accordance with a computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for providing surveillance within the communication network, the computer program comprising:

• a first routine that directs the server to receive a request for surveillance services from a requesting agency;
• a second routine that directs the server to transmit a surveillance message to a collection gateway, the surveillance message includes surveillance information associated with the request;
• and
• a third routine that directs the server to transmit call signaling information to the bearer information network,
• wherein responsive to the call signaling information, the bearer distribution network directs the bearer traffic to the collection gateway without the interposition of the surveillance server, and wherein responsive to the surveillance information, the collection gateway directs the bearer traffic to an intercept access point for communication to the requesting agency.