CNAM & LNP capabilities in SS7 VoIP networks

CNAM/LNP Mandate

Within the telephone network it is becoming a mandatory requirement for all tiers of carriers to provide CNAM & LNP, not only as a service to their customers but also as the principal customer identifier within their internal CRM system and in ILEC/CLEC support database.

The SVI core supports CNAM (Calling Name) lookup and LNP (Local Number Portability) dips with all its SS7 interconnecting products using TCAP. In addition to this capability, the SVI Core enables the enquiring from other parties to deliver CNAM, and also the provision of LNP lookups or dips.

Lookup or Dip Caching

In general the owner of the CNAM/LNP database will charge the supplier for every look up they do therefore a solution which can hold this retrieved data locally to be used again can reduce the cost of running this service dramatically. Also holding the gathered information locally allows for the carrier to provide its own revenue generating CNAM/LNP services from its local data.

CNAM (Calling Name Delivery)

CNAM (Calling NAMe Delivery) is an Intelligent Network service which allows delivery to the subscriber of the calling party number and a readable calling name in digital readout, identifying the caller to the called party. This service enables carriers to offer their customers the more detailed and comprehensive call information that they require.

LNP (Local Number Portability)

Local Number Portability was introduced to expedite competition within the industry, enabling the consumer to retain their number whilst changing operator. Calls must therefore require routing data before connecting to the appropriate carrier, often incurring a service charge for lookup or dip. With the advent of high mobile phone use this has become a widespread mandatory requirement.

A central database located at either the interconnecting ILEC or CLEC contains information on providing a calling party's name (CNAM).

SS7 signalling is used to retrieve the calling name from the database using the calling party number as the identifier into the database.

1. Call is initiated to 404-412-8091 from phone with calling party number of 305-776-9901

2. Call is forwarded by interconnect carrier to SVI over SS7 signalling (ISUP) containing only the calling party number.

3. SVI looks up if translation is available on local SQL database. If entry is present then go straight to step 6. If local entry is not present then proceed to step 4.

4. Using SS7 signalling, retrieve CNAM from interconnect database.

5. Update local database with CNAM information.

6. Forward call containing CNAM information on to IP phone customer 'Arthur' which displays calling name and calling number.

A. The advantage of holding CNAM information locally in the SVI also allows for the carrier to provide their own CNAM service to other carriers.

MG Features

MGC Features