Call processing in mobile telecommunications networks

Embodiments of the invention are concerned with controlling the involvement of switching nodes involved in processing of a call. More specifically, in response to a call processing request (2) received from a switch (50) in the network, a call processing function (30) according to the invention is arranged to identify a different switching node (51) to handle the call, to allocate a temporary identity corresponding to the different switching node (51) and to pass the identity back (5) to to the switching node (50) from which the request originated. This causes the originating switching node (50) to pass the call to a second switching node (51)- the identity of the second switching node (51) being identifiable by the originating switching node (50) on the basis of identity information included in the message (5) received from the function (30). In response to a signal instructing involvement of the second switching node (51) in the call, the second switching node confirms its participation in the call, enabling handling of the call to continue. A particular application relates to instances in which the switching node (50) receiving the call set-up request is not capable of processing the call; in such a situation the function (30) generates the identity in dependence on the identity of switching node(s) (51) identified by the function (30) to be capable of participating in handling of the call request.