Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing operator consoles with enhanced customer support for automated telecommunication services on an intelligent overlay network (104) is disclosed. Operator and customer services are provided by an intelligent network (102). The intelligent network (102) comprises: an automated call distributor (116); an application processor (118); an advanced intelligent network gateway (AIN Gateway) (120); a validation gateway (122); and enhanced operator consoles (126). The AIN Gateway provides the intelligent network with an interface to the intelligent overlay network. This allows components within the intelligent network to communicate with components in the intelligent overlay network, and vice-versa. The validation gateway provides the intelligent network with an interface to credit card validation systems (114), and is used to apply charges to customer credit cards.