Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for connecting a telephone subscriber to the public switched telephone network ("PSTN"), where a physical connection is not available while utilizing conventional telephony subscriber terminals. The connection is provided using a wireless telecommunications system adapted with a gateway collection of lines and a switch between the wireless system and the PSTN. When a call is to be made, the wireless system sends a predetermined access number to identify the caller as a gateway caller. Thereafter, a connection is made between the wireless subscriber and a dedicated PSTN line. The method includes providing a gateway access code to the public switch to obtain a trunk line and thereafter, utilizing the normal call progression cues provided by the PSTN, such as a busy signal and dial tone. The destination telephone number dialed as DTMF is then sent over a designated voice channel by the transceiver, and the connection is made by the PSTN.