the prepay telecommunications system includes a prepay call management platform which is directly coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch . a customer database is coupled to the prepay call management platform for storing prepay customer data , and a plurality of customer interface facilities are provided for accepting customer prepayment and immediately updating the customer database . the prepay calls are recognized by the mobile identification number and is routed to the prepay call management platform coupled to and co - located with the telecommunications carrier switch . the customer account balance associated with the prepay call is looked up in a customer database , and the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance is computed . the prepay call is then released to the telecommunications carrier switch for line termination . at the same time , a call duration timer is started . the call is disconnected in response to the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable call duration . the prepay telecommunications system is applicable to both wireless and non - wireless telecommunications systems .