The present invention provides a method and system for sending a
server-specified message from an application server to Customer Premises
Equipment (CPE) without setting up a call path between the application
server and the CPE. The application server is coupled with a switch,
which is in turn coupled with the CPE. The application server sends a
request to the switch. The switch sends, based upon the request, a
predetermined server-specified message to the CPE without setting up a
call path between the application server and the CPE. The CPE is not rung
and the predetermined message is not affected by the features of the line
associated with the CPE.