Patent US 5,933,490

Overload protection for dial-up access to the Internet uses a hybrid network including the Internet and an intelligent switched telephone network. A first Internet service provider (ISP) connects to the Internet through its server and router interface. This ISP also connects to a switching system in the telephone network; to provide dial-up service to user terminals connected to the telephone network. A service control point (SCP) in the intelligent telephone network monitors predetermined traffic criteria resulting from dial-up attempts to call the ISP. Threshold parameters are set in storage associated with the SCP, and at least certain of the measured criteria are substantially continually compared to one or more of these parameters. When one or more of the parameters is equaled or exceeded, the SCP causes redirection of calls for the first ISP to an Internet interface provided by an alternate access provider. The alternate Internet access provider may or may not provide independent ISP services. The monitoring and redirection is provided on a substantially continuous basis, to dynamically and proactively provide overload protection. The parameters may be dynamically updated based on conditions as determined from the monitoring.