A method for message handling in a telecommunications system having a network services processor (NSP) for accessing, processing, and distributing telecommunications in conformance with a predefined signaling system and for distributing processing applications including call handling and routing to a plurality of platforms, each platform having a unique address and responds to application specific messages, the method comprising: connecting the plurality of platforms to local area networks (LANs), the plurality of platforms include packet managers (PMs) for accessing, processing, and distributing packetized call data over a packet network and a plurality of media control platforms (MCPs) for accessing, processing, and distributing media tasks (MCTs); connecting the LANs to a corresponding plurality of interconnect controllers (ICCs), each ICC for interfacing the NSP with the plurality of platforms through a corresponding LAN; and distributing application specific messages to the plurality of platforms via a message protocol (hiQ) having a message frame which encapsulates application specific messages within a standard LAN protocol.