Abstract: A method of routing a call including a called number in a communications network such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the method including determining if the called number is a network routing number indicating a specific switching node and line associated therewith in the communications network and routing the call within the communications network based on the called number when the called number is a network routing number. Additionally, the method includes identifying a network routing number based on the called number when the called number is not equal to the network routing number and routing the call within the communications network based on the identified network routing number.