Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communications system for providing call interception. A call is received at a switch in the communications system. Responsive to the call involving a service using identification numbers unknown to the communications system, a remote database associated with the service is queried, wherein the remote database contains a plurality of identification numbers. A result is received from the remote database in response to querying the remote database. A call interception service is initiated based on the result.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system, a subscriber station invokes a sponsored-call application service program when the subscriber station originates a call. Based upon certain criteria, service logic determines whether the call is sponsored or not. If sponsored, additional service logic utilizes the location of the call origination (i.e., location of the subscriber station) and/or other attributes of the subscriber station to select an announcement from a plurality of announcements for transmission to the subscriber station. After the announcement is transmitted (i.e., played), the subscriber station is connected to the call's desired destination. If not sponsored, the call is handled as a normal call.