Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a telephony system. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a first communication device adapted to interface with a client application, a second communication device, the second communication device adapted to exchange voice over internet protocol (VoIP) data with the first communication device, and a server comprising a route engine, wherein the route engine is adapted to exchange provisioning data with the client application such that VoIP packet data remains channeled through a public network such that it is separated from the server.