Patent ID: 7835731

Claim:
A network element in a telecommunications network, comprising a controller to: receive subscriber unit identification information, wherein the subscriber unit identification information corresponds to a subscriber account and a programming permission code associated with the a subscriber unit having a dynamically programmable push button; receive a subscriber request for access to an application located within the telecommunications network; determine whether access to the application is granted based upon the subscriber account and the programming permission code; and program the dynamically programmable push button of the subscriber unit with a directory number if access is granted, wherein the directory number provides direct access to the application, wherein, once programmed, the dynamically programmable push button allows a subscriber to depress only one button to access the application, and wherein the programming permission code is entered into the subscriber unit prior to the subscriber unit being used by the subscriber, such that the programming permission code cannot be changed and is operative for restricting the use of the dynamically programmable push button.