Method for providing ubiquitous service to mobile subscribers using a wireless gateway switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This need is addressed and a technological advance is achieved in the wireless telecommunications art by a gateway switch for universally provisioning service features and establishing call connections.
In the preferred embodiment, the gateway switch is maintained by a wireless telecommunications service provider which does not maintain air interface systems.
Mobile subscribers served by this wireless telecommunications service provider (hereinafter, the "ubiquitous provider") access the gateway switch via air interface systems (i.
e.
, mobile switching centers) of other wireless service providers.
The gateway switch retrieves subscriber-related information from a shared data base and establishes all call connections for the mobile subscriber.
More particularly, when a mobile subscriber of the ubiquitous provider originates a call, the mobile switching center serving the geographic area in which the subscriber is currently located is accessed.
The mobile switching center uses call origination information to identify the mobile terminal as subscribing to services of the ubiquitous provider, and notifies the gateway switch of the registration via a provisioned signaling link.
Subsequently, a trunk connection between the mobile switching center and the gateway switch is established.
The mobile switching center acts as the air interface via which the ubiquitous provider establishes call connections and applies service features.
Advantageously, subscribers of the ubiquitous provider enjoy access to service features wherever wireless service is provided regardless of the capabilities of the wireless system serving as the air interface.