Method and apparatus for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user. According to the method, telephone calls for subscribers of an automated attendant service are automatically answered by: (a) obtaining a number from a caller using an audio menu to prompt input of the number; (b) signaling a first physical switch connecting the caller to the automated attendant service to place the caller on hold; (c) calling a telephone corresponding to the number input by the caller while the caller is on hold, the calling step including the substeps of: (c1) accessing a number specification matrix to identify a telephone corresponding to the number, (c2) accessing a subscriber data base to determine a transfer method for transfers to the number of a subscriber; and (c3) calling a telephone number corresponding to the number using the transfer method determined in step (c2). The method also includes (d) connecting the caller directly to the telephone corresponding to the number if the calling of step (c) reaches a called party and an indication is obtained to connect the caller and the called party; and (e) performing a failed call procedure if the connecting of step (d) is not performed.