a method of processing half - calls each having opposing first and second ends is provided within a telecommunications network . each of the half - calls is either an originating half - call terminated at the first end thereof by calling consumer premises equipment or a terminating half - call terminated at the first end thereof by called cpe , wherein an associated pair of half - calls connected at their second ends including both an originating and terminating half - call completes a call connecting the cpe terminating the respective first ends of the half - calls that form the pair . the method includes : applying identifiers to originating half - calls such that the originating half - calls are distinctly identifiable thereby with respect to one another , the identifiers thereafter accompanying terminating half - calls that form associated pairs of half - calls together with the originating half - calls to which the identifiers were applied ; and , examining terminating half - calls to detect the identifiers such that upon detection of the identifiers the terminating half - calls accompanying the detected identifiers and the originating half - calls to which the identifier were applied are recognized as associated pairs of half - calls .