Abstract: A method apparatus for specifying one of a plurality of special telephone numbers in such a way that different special telephone numbers can be specified for the same type of service according to the numbering plan of the area in which a call is being made. A dialing message from a telephone station contains a special number indicator for specifying a particular type of service, such as emergency, or traveler's information, and the indicator is translated in a service switching system into the local number for that service. Advantageously, a user of mobile telephone service, for example, need not learn the local numbers for these services.