(19)

(11)

EP 0 972 396 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/03 (21) Application number: 98909612.8 (22) Date of filing: 12.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04M 3/42, H04M 3/50 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9800/745 (87) International publication number: WO 9842/116 (24.09.1998 Gazette 1998/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE ES FR GB IT NL (30) Priority: 18.03.1997 EP 97301814 (71) Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company London EC1A 7AJ (GB)	(72) Inventor: ASHWORTH, David, Trevor Theydon BoisEssex CM16 7JX (GB) (74) Representative: Evershed, Michael et al BT Group Legal Services,Intellectual Property Department,8th Floor, Holborn Centre,120 Holborn London EC1N 2TE London EC1N 2TE (GB)