Least cost routing apparatus updated via a broadcast signal

摘要

Telephone calls originating from terminals having respective routing apparatus are transmitted via a common local network and then via a subsequent network route which is determined by predetermined routing data stored in the routing apparatus. The stored information in a look-up table in each of the respective routing apparatus is periodically updated by means of a multipoint broadcast via the common local network. The common local network may be a cable network carrying television transmissions so that the updating information may be encoded in a vertical blanking interval portion of the television broadcast signal. The preferred route information is prepared by a remote control centre which also administers billing for calls routed in accordance with the routing information.