A system, method, computer program product system for providing a carrier exchange (CX) backbone to a plurality of IP carriers to pass on their over-flow traffic to another participating carrier. The system and method offers a quality-based voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call routing management system with centralized call accounting. The system and method connects potentially incompatible IP networks (e.g., ATM, Frame Relay, etc.) to a single backbone operated by a CX provider. The barter-like system and method is mutually beneficial to all participants by providing low cost to originating gateways and additional revenue for terminating gateways in the form of increased minutes.