Abstract: Subscribers (121-12n) may receive combined pre-paid and calling card service offered via a telecommunications network (20) by dialing a telephone number (32) of a platform (26) within the network. The platform stores account information for each subscriber, including a pre-paid balance amount and overflow treatment indicator. Upon receipt of a call, the platform verifies the subscriber's eligibility for service and provides the service while decrementing the subscriber's pre-paid balance. When the subscriber's pre-paid balance falls below a prescribed value, the platform determines whether the subscriber is entitled to automatic billing of continuing service costs or whether the subscriber must enter information to facilitate billing of such costs based on the overflow indicator. Thereafter, the platform effects continuing call treatment and billing for such continuing call treatment when effected billing in accordance with the overflow indicator.

Abstract: Subscribers (12.sub.1 -12.sub.n) may receive combined pre-paid and calling card service offered via a telecommunications network (20) by dialing a telephone number (32) of a platform (26) within the network. The platform stores account information for each subscriber, including a pre-paid balance amount and overflow treatment indicator. Upon receipt of a call, the platform verifies the subscriber's eligibility for service and provides the service while decrementing the subscriber's pre-paid balance. When the subscriber's pre-paid balance falls below a prescribed value, the platform determines whether the subscriber is entitled to automatic billing of continuing service costs or whether the subscriber must enter information to facilitate billing of such costs based on the overflow indicator. Thereafter, the platform effects continuing call treatment and billing for such continuing call treatment when effected billing in accordance with the overflow indicator.