Method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services in metered states

A method for providing prepaid local telephone services to a subscriber having a telecommunications device connected to a subscriber line and in communication with a telephone network via the subscriber line, the method comprising:

• receiving a telephone call directed to a called party from the subscriber at a first network element;
• communicating a local telephone call request from the first network element to a second network element;
• determining if a maximum number of local telephone calls has been completed by the subscriber within a predetermined time period;
• instructing the first network element to connect the telephone call to the called party if the subscriber has not exceeded the maximum number of local telephone calls within the predetermined time period;
• initiating a notification timer in the second network element;
• and
• disengaging the second network element from the telephone call upon expiration of the notification timer.