Abstract: Apparatus for a telephone switch, e.g. a tandem switch, for providing a telephonic mass announcement service and methods for use therein in providing passive and/or interactive announcements as well as interactive mass announcement based custom call routing services. Specifically, mass announcements are provided by connecting an announcement circuit as one input to a time-space-time (T/S/T) switch located within a tandem telephone switch and permitting the central processor that controls the tandem switch to establish a time slot connection between that circuit and any caller. Digitized announcements are stored in a main announcement store contained within the tandem switch.