a method and apparatus for analyzing current voice call quality in an ip network before allowing a new voice call to enter therein . circuitry in each gateway between a pstn and the ip network obtains information from the ip network regarding the quality of voice call traffic being transmitted from one gateway to another gateway . a parameter is calculated by the circuitry based on this information . this parameter is compared to predetermined thresholds to guarantee acceptable quality for a new voice call that is attempting to enter the ip network . the circuitry includes three circuits . a first circuit passes voice call data to the ip network . a second circuit polls the ip network about traffic information transmitted therein . a third circuit processes the polled information to determine whether the voice call data is to be accepted by the ip network .