Abstract: A system, method and software product connects a call from an internet protocol (IP) phone and a telephone apparatus connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a personal gateway configured within a network group. A call from a user of the IP phone is answered and the user is authenticated. A destination number for the telephone apparatus is received from the user. A list of personal gateways is created based upon the destination number. The list is prioritized based upon least cost routing. A highest priority personal gateway that is available is determined using the prioritized list. The highest priority personal gateway that is available is instructed to dial the destination number using a PSTN interface. The IP phone connects with the telephone apparatus to make the call. The call terminates and associated resources are freed if either the IP phone or the telephone apparatus hangs-up.

Abstract: A system, method and software product connects a call from an internet protocol (IP) phone and a telephone apparatus connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a personal gateway configured within a network group. A call from a user of the IP phone is answered and the user is authenticated. A destination number for the telephone apparatus is received from the user. A list of personal gateways is created based upon the destination number. The list is prioritized based upon least cost routing. A highest priority personal gateway that is available is determined using the prioritized list. The highest priority personal gateway that is available is instructed to dial the destination number using a PSTN interface. The IP phone connects with the telephone apparatus to make the call. The call terminates and associated resources are freed if either the IP phone or the telephone apparatus hangs-up.