Abstract: A local exchange carrier can provide operator service for a telephone call, whether intra-LATA or not, and in some cases to perform the service so that the call can be passed with the service already provided. Operator services for calls that require prior approval at a subscriber station for completion and those that do not (e.g., collect calls vs. credit card calls) are differentiated. If, for a particular call, it is determined that the required operator service does not require prior approval for the call being placed, then the operator service is provided from the end-office without routing the call to an operator services platform. The call may be serviced using an advanced intelligent network (AIN) system. If the required operator service does require prior approval, however, it is ultimately routed to an operator services platform of the local exchange carrier or interexchange carrier for provision of the service.