Tandem access controller within the public switched telephone network

A method performed by a processor coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) tandem switch and within the PSTN comprising:

• receiving a first call through said tandem switch from a calling party intended for a subscriber after said calling party has entered a first telephone number, said first telephone number being said subscriber's public telephone number, said processor applying features selected by said subscriber to said first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;
• placing a second call to said subscriber using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number, said second call being a non-toll call to said subscriber, said processor completing a communications path between said calling party and said subscriber after said subscriber has received said second call;
• and
• activating features selected by said subscriber via the Internet to be applied to a call intended for said subscriber.

A method of placing and receiving telephone calls through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) tandem switch and within the PSTN comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first call from a tandem access controller (TAC) through said tandem switch from a calling party intended for a subscriber after said calling party has entered a first telephone number, said first telephone number being said subscriber's public telephone number, said TAC being in a local service area with respect to said subscriber, said TAC receiving the first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;
• activating features, selected by said subscriber via the Internet, to said first call prior to the first call reaching a terminating central office;
• placing a second call to said subscriber using a second telephone number different from said first telephone number, said second call being a non-toll call to said subscriber;
• and
• completing a communications path between said calling party and said subscriber after said subscriber has received said second call.