AIN based methods and apparatus for transitioning telephone numbers and
customers from the PSTN to a VOIP network are described. AIN line number
portability features are used to allow a few gateway switches that
interconnect the PSTN and VOIP networks to service customers whose
telephone numbers were originally serviced by several remote PSTN
switches. AIN LNP triggers are used to forward PSTN calls, directed to
the PSTN switch previously used to service a telephone number, to the
gateway switch assigned to route such calls to the IP network. AIN
triggers set at the gateway switch insure that the subscriber with the
ported telephone number continues to receive AIN services provided before
the telephone number was ported to the IP network. Calls from ported
telephone numbers to telephones in the PSTN are billed from PSTN switches
through the use of AIN functionality and triggers set at the gateway
switch.