The present invention relates to a telecommunications system and method for providing a plurality of services, the services providing control for communication via the telecommunications system. The system comprises a switching point for triggering one or more services of said plurality of services for a communication. Each of the services may reserve at least one control characteristic. A service manager connected to the switching point is arranged to determine if at least two services can be provided for the communication based on information relating to control characteristics of said at least two services. A new service can be started only if the control characteristics it requires are not reserved by a previously invoked service. A service manager for use in a telecommunication system for managing the plurality of services is also disclosed.