MULTIPLE-PROTOCOL HOME LOCATION REGISTER AND METHOD OF USE

A multiple-protocol home location register (MP HLR) comprises a processor, that generates network messages according to two or more network protocols and processes network requests and other messages to obtain information requested by two or more networks that support the two or more network protocols. One embodiment of the MP HLR (101) utilizes protocol gateways (211) that interpret network requests and generate, utilizing a common control procedures for multiple network protocols, queries to a database that provides a common source of data for supported networks. Another embodiment of an MP HLR (101) utilizes a mediation device (405) that generates and/or translates network messages according to multiple different network protocols and utilizes multiple HLRs (401, 403) or home agents, each supporting a different network protocol.