Hybrid access architecture for voice messaging systems

A system for accessing a voice messaging platform, comprising:

• a local end office coupled to said platform via a local trunk group;
• and
• a remote end office coupled to said local end office via a local exchange carrier network and to said platform via foreign exchange lines;
• wherein a telephone call from a calling party to a called party number homed to said remote end office, that encounters a busy or ring-no-answer signal, is forwarded via said foreign exchange lines to said platform, so that said calling party may leave a message for said called party number in a mailbox of said called party number;
• and
• wherein a telephone call from a caller to said platform is routed via said local exchange carrier network and said local trunk group to said platform, so that said caller may access said voice messaging platform.

A system for accessing a voice messaging platform, comprising:

• a local end office coupled to said platform via a local trunk group, wherein said local end office includes switching circuits and special service circuits;
• and
• a remote end office coupled to said switching circuits via a local exchange carrier network and to said special service circuits via foreign exchange lines;
• wherein a telephone call from a calling party to a called party number homed to said remote end office, that encounters a busy or ring-no-answer signal, is forwarded via said foreign exchange lines to said special service circuits for relay to said platform, so that said calling party may leave a message for said called party number in a mailbox of said called party number;
• and
• wherein a telephone call from a caller to said platform is routed via said local exchange carrier network to said switching circuits for transmission via said local trunk group to said platform, so that said caller may access a mailbox of said caller.