Method for obtaining billing validation of directory number accounts from line identification databases in a telecommunications network

Claim 1

In a telecommunications network including at least one operator services system (OSS) for completing operator-assisted calls, and a plurality of line identification (ID) databases, each line ID database containing billing authorization data for at least one directory number account, a method for billing an operator-assisted call to a directory number account comprises the steps of: receiving in the OSS an originally dialed directory number and billing information from a caller; determining that the billing information received from the caller specifies billing a call to a directory number account; using the billing information received from the caller to access a billing acceptance database to determine if the OSS has access to customer data of a service provider associated with the directory number account specified in the billing information; if the OSS has access to the customer data of the service provider, routing a billing validation request to one of the plurality of line ID databases based on the billing information received from the caller; and sending a billing record to a billing system so that the directory number account can be billed for the call.