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CCBS (Completion of communications to busy subscriber)

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Completion of communications to busy subscriber (CCBS) is a telecommunications feature that allows a calling party to receive a notification when a previously busy called party becomes available. This feature is commonly used in telephone networks to improve call completion rates and enhance the calling experience.

When a calling party dials a busy number, the CCBS feature enables the network to monitor the status of the called party's line. If the line is busy, the network initiates a notification to the calling party, informing them that the called party is currently unavailable. The calling party can then choose to activate the CCBS feature and request the network to monitor the called party's line and notify them when the line becomes available.

When the called party's line becomes available, the network generates a notification to the calling party, prompting them to re-dial the number. The calling party can then complete the call without having to wait for the called party to become available again.

CCBS is a valuable feature for businesses and individuals who rely on phone communication to conduct their daily activities. It reduces call abandonment rates and enhances the overall customer experience. Additionally, CCBS is an efficient way of managing high call volumes during peak hours, enabling callers to complete their calls in a timely and efficient manner.

How does CCBS work?

CCBS is a complex telecommunications feature that involves several network elements and protocols. The following are the key components of CCBS:

  1. Switching system - The switching system is responsible for managing call routing and handling features such as CCBS. It monitors the status of the called party's line and initiates notifications to the calling party when the line becomes available.
  2. Service control point (SCP) - The SCP is a network element that manages service logic and controls the behavior of the switching system. It provides the intelligence necessary for the switching system to implement features such as CCBS.
  3. Service management system (SMS) - The SMS is a network element that manages the configuration and provisioning of services such as CCBS. It enables service providers to activate and deactivate the feature for individual subscribers or groups of subscribers.
  4. Signaling protocols - Signaling protocols such as SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) are used to exchange signaling messages between network elements. These protocols enable the switching system to communicate with the SCP and SMS and exchange information necessary for CCBS.

The following is a step-by-step overview of how CCBS works:

  1. The calling party dials the called party's number.
  2. If the called party's line is busy, the switching system sends a busy signal to the calling party and records the calling party's identity in a database.
  3. The switching system sends a message to the SCP, requesting CCBS service for the calling party.
  4. The SCP retrieves the calling party's identity from the database and activates CCBS service for the calling party.
  5. The switching system monitors the status of the called party's line.
  6. When the called party's line becomes available, the switching system sends a message to the SCP, indicating that the line is available.
  7. The SCP generates a notification to the calling party, informing them that the called party's line is available.
  8. The calling party can then re-dial the number and complete the call.

Benefits of CCBS

CCBS provides several benefits to both service providers and subscribers. The following are some of the key benefits of CCBS:

  1. Improved call completion rates - CCBS enables callers to complete their calls even when the called party is initially unavailable. This reduces call abandonment rates and improves the overall call completion rate.
  2. Enhanced customer experience - CCBS reduces the frustration and inconvenience that callers experience when they encounter busy signals or unanswered calls. It enables callers to complete their calls in a timely and efficient manner, enhancing their overall customer experience.
  3. Efficient call management - CCBS is an efficient way of managing high call volumes during peak hours. It enables callers to be notified when the called party's line becomes available, reducing the time spent waiting on hold.
  4. Increased productivity - CCBS enables subscribers to make the most of their time by allowing them to complete their calls without having to wait for the called party to become available again. This can increase productivity and efficiency in business settings.
  5. Customizable service - CCBS can be customized to suit the needs of individual subscribers or groups of subscribers. Service providers can activate and deactivate the feature for individual subscribers, set the maximum number of attempts to complete the call, and customize the notification message.

Challenges of CCBS

CCBS is a sophisticated telecommunications feature that involves several network elements and protocols. As such, there are several challenges associated with implementing and maintaining CCBS. The following are some of the key challenges of CCBS:

  1. Network complexity - CCBS requires the integration of multiple network elements and protocols, making it a complex feature to implement and maintain.
  2. Scalability - CCBS requires significant network resources to monitor the status of called party's lines and generate notifications to calling parties. As such, it can be challenging to scale the feature to accommodate large volumes of calls during peak hours.
  3. Cost - CCBS can be costly to implement and maintain, particularly for smaller service providers. The feature requires significant investment in network infrastructure, software, and support services.
  4. Technical issues - CCBS can be affected by technical issues such as network outages, software glitches, and hardware failures. These issues can cause interruptions in service and lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

Completion of communications to busy subscriber (CCBS) is a valuable feature for businesses and individuals who rely on phone communication to conduct their daily activities. CCBS enables callers to complete their calls even when the called party is initially unavailable, reducing call abandonment rates and improving the overall customer experience. However, implementing and maintaining CCBS can be challenging due to the network complexity, scalability, cost, and technical issues associated with the feature. Service providers must carefully consider these factors when deciding whether to offer CCBS as a service to their subscribers.