In this paper we introduce a queueing system manned by a single server who serves multiple
class (n)of customers. The customers arrive according to a Markovian arrival process and form a single
queue. At the time when taken for service the customer of class i may be taken for service of class j
(ambiguity in the determination of class of required service) with probability pij , 1≤ j ≤ n . Service time
in class i is of phase type distributed with representation ( ( ) , (i) )
i
i
γ i T of order m i n i
i , 1≤ ≤ ( ) . If a customer
of class i is taken for class j service initially then on completion of service there he is taken to class
with probability (i) , 1 k n.
η jk ≤ ≤ A timer starts at the beginning of service of a customer. If the timer
realizes before the customer is identified of the required (correct) service, this customer is instantly sent
out of the system without getting correct service. On the other hand if the timer does not realize before
identification of required service, then the customer is taken for service in that class and completes
service successfully. In the case when the customer is provided the required class of service right from
the very beginning, he leaves the system after completing this service. In the last case timer plays no
role in the service time of such customers. In the case of such customers no ambiguity arises on the type
(class) of service required. We analyze the above system to derive the expected time a customer spends
with the server. Then we use it to derive the stability condition and the resulting system state
distribution. Useful performance indices are computed. Numerical illustrations are provided to have a
glimpse of the system performances. Some examples from real life situation are cited, as motivation for
the study of the above mentioned model. Case of arbitrarily distributed service time is also considered.
An application in telecommunication is indicated.