Method and apparatus for placing a long distance call based on a virtual phone number

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the cost of long distance phone calls is disclosed. Accordingly, an originating phone network is operatively connected to a first intermediate point, and a receiving phone network is operatively connected to a second intermediate point. Each intermediate point is operatively connected to communicate via a data network. Users on the originating and destination phone networks may communicate based on virtual numbers. The virtual number is preferably within the local calling area of the originating phone network. The first and second intermediate points route calls to any geographic location, regardless of distance, over the data network based on the virtual number. This provides the advantage of allowing a user on the originating phone network to access a user at a distant location for a price that is substantially similar to the price of a local call.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method comprising:
 enabling a virtual number from an originating network location to be received at a first intermediate network location, the first intermediate network location being operatively connected to a packet-based network,   providing access to a system in which there is a conversion of the virtual number to a physical number, a determination of a second intermediate network location operatively connected to the packet-based network, and a determination of a destination network location, the determination of the second intermediate network location being based on proximity of the second intermediate network location and the destination network location and the determination of the destination network location being based on the physical number, and   enabling information transmission between the originating network location and the destination network location.