A method comprising: forwarding a call , from a first data-processing system to a second data-processing system that is serving a telecommunications terminal for which said call is intended, wherein said telecommunications terminal operates in accordance with a protocol type; receiving , at said first data-processing system, an indication from said second data-processing system that said call has been answered; CHARACTERIZED BY ; selecting by said first data-processing system, based on a characteristic of said telecommunications terminal, a decision-making criterion that comprises at least one of: (i) comparing if the signaling protocol that is used to answer said call differs from the signaling protocol that is used to forward said call, and (ii) determining the time interval between (a) when said call is forwarded to said second data processing system, and (b) when said indication is received by said first data-processing system that said call has been answered; ending , at said first data-processing system, said call to said second data-processing system based on said decision-making criterion; and forwarding said call , based on said decision-making criterion, to a voice mail system that is associated with said first data-processing system. forwarding a call , from a first data-processing system to a second data-processing system that is serving a telecommunications terminal for which said call is intended, wherein said telecommunications terminal operates in accordance with a protocol type; receiving , at said first data-processing system, an indication from said second data-processing system that said call has been answered; CHARACTERIZED BY ; selecting by said first data-processing system, based on a characteristic of said telecommunications terminal, a decision-making criterion that comprises at least one of: (i) comparing if the signaling protocol that is used to answer said call differs from the signaling protocol that is used to forward said call, and (ii) determining the time interval between (a) when said call is forwarded to said second data processing system, and (b) when said indication is received by said first data-processing system that said call has been answered; ending , at said first data-processing system, said call to said second data-processing system based on said decision-making criterion; and forwarding said call , based on said decision-making criterion, to a voice mail system that is associated with said first data-processing system. selecting by said first data-processing system, based on a characteristic of said telecommunications terminal, a decision-making criterion that comprises at least one of: (i) comparing if the signaling protocol that is used to answer said call differs from the signaling protocol that is used to forward said call, and (ii) determining the time interval between (a) when said call is forwarded to said second data processing system, and (b) when said indication is received by said first data-processing system that said call has been answered; (i) comparing if the signaling protocol that is used to answer said call differs from the signaling protocol that is used to forward said call, and (ii) determining the time interval between (a) when said call is forwarded to said second data processing system, and (b) when said indication is received by said first data-processing system that said call has been answered; ending , at said first data-processing system, said call to said second data-processing system based on said decision-making criterion; and forwarding said call , based on said decision-making criterion, to a voice mail system that is associated with said first data-processing system. <EOS>