Method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services

Abstract

A system and method for providing prepaid dialtone services. The system includes a prepaid dialtone service center having an applications server that maintains a prepaid dialtone subscriber database including subscriber identification and service period information. The applications server is configured to automatically remind subscribers to renew their prepaid dialtone account and communicates with a local exchange carrier to place a hold on, or cancel, an expired subscriber account. The method includes the features of determining and monitoring a service period for a prepaid dialtone subscriber, communicating a reminder to the subscriber prior to expiration of the service period, and communicating with a local exchange carrier servicing the subscriber upon expiration of the service period.

1 .- 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method of providing prepaid local telephone services to a subscriber having a telecommunications device connected to a subscriber line and in communication with a telephone network via the subscriber line, the method comprising: 
 communicating instructions to a local exchange carrier from a prepaid local telephone service network to activate prepaid local telephone services for the subscriber;    monitoring a prepaid local telephone service period for the subscriber at the prepaid local telephone service independently of telephone call activity by the subscriber at the local exchange carrier, wherein the prepaid local telephone service network monitors the prepaid local telephone service period without monitoring a duration of individual calls from the telecommunications device.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising establishing a subscriber account on the prepaid local telephone service network, wherein establishing the subscriber account comprises: 
 receiving a telephone call at the prepaid local telephone service network;    associating the subscriber account at the prepaid local telephone service network with a telephone number of the subscriber;    receiving payment information for the subscriber account; and    determining the prepaid local telephone service period for the subscriber account.    
   
   
       16 .- 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein communicating instructions to the local exchange carrier comprises transmitting a service order to the local exchange carrier via the telephone network.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein receiving payment information comprises receiving a value identification number associated with a fixed value in a prepaid telephone card database.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein determining a prepaid local telephone service period comprises assigning a number of days for the prepaid local telephone service period.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the number of days comprises thirty days.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein communicating instructions to the local exchange carrier comprises instructing sending instructions to a switch in the local exchange carrier to only connect a telephone call made by the subscriber of the prepaid local telephone call service if the telephone call is one of a non-toll intra-LATA call, a toll-free call and a 911 call.  
   
   
       25 . A method of providing prepaid local telephone services to a subscriber having a telecommunications device connected to a subscriber line and in communication with a telephone network via the subscriber line, the method comprising: 
 receiving a set of prepaid local telephone service instructions at a local exchange carrier from a prepaid local telephone service network, the set of prepaid local telephone service instructions identifying a subscriber of prepaid local telephone services with a telephone number of the subscriber and identifying a category of telephone calls permissible by the subscriber;    receiving a call at the local exchange carrier from a telephone associated with the telephone number of the subscriber, the call directed to a telephone number;    comparing the telephone number with the set of prepaid local telephone service instructions and verifying that the telephone number falls within the category of telephone calls permissible by the subscriber;    verifying that the subscriber has a valid account with the prepaid local telephone call network; and    connecting the call only if the telephone number dialed by the subscriber falls within the category of telephone calls permissible by the subscriber and the subscriber has a valid account with the prepaid local telephone service network, wherein the local exchange carrier connects the call without monitoring a duration of the call and without monitoring a monetary value of the call.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the category of telephone calls permissible comprises one of a non-toll intra-LATA call, a toll-free call and a 911 call.  
   
   
       27 . A system for providing prepaid local telephone services comprising: 
 a server having a processor and a prepaid subscriber database, the server configured for communication with a local telephone network;    wherein the server is adapted to communicate with the local telephone network to instruct the telephone network to permit local telephone calls from a subscriber associated with a subscriber telephone number in the prepaid subscriber database; and    wherein the server is further adapted to monitor a prepaid local telephone service period for the subscriber without monitoring a duration of telephone calls made by the subscriber and without monitoring a monetary value of the telephone calls during the prepaid local telephone service period.    
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the server is further configured to communicate with the telephone network to instruct the telephone network to prohibit local telephone calls from the subscriber upon expiration of the prepaid local telephone service period.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the server is further configured to communicate with the telephone network to instruct the telephone network to maintain a telephone service for the subscriber, but withhold a dialtone, upon expiration of the prepaid local telephone service period, and to monitor a grace period.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the server is further configured to communicate with the telephone network, upon expiration of the grace period, to instruct the telephone network to terminate and disconnect telephone service for the subscriber.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the server is further configured to automatically communicate service termination date information to the subscriber prior to an expiration of the prepaid local telephone service period.