METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROCESS NUMBER PORTABILITY DATA FOR A CALL

A second network such as an interexchange carrier advantageously identifies incorrect original number portability data from the first network such as a local telephone company and obtains new number portability data to prevent misrouted calls. The second network receives original number portability data from the first network. The second network determines whether to use the original number portability data from the first network for call routing. If the original number portability data from the first network is not used for call routing, the second network generates and transmits a query to obtain new number portability data for call routing. The second network receives the new number portability data for call routing in response to the query. The second network then generates and transmits a route instruction using the new number portability data. If the original number portability data from the first network is used for call routing, the second network generates and transmits the route instruction using the original number portability data. In some embodiments, the threshold for misrouted calls ensures that incorrect number portability data is not used repeatedly and the correct number portability data is used for call routing.