The present invention provides a technique for providing a forced hold
service such as is used for an emergency services call, which is
supported at least in part over a packet network. The forced hold service
acts to effectively hold a connection for the call with a called party,
even when the caller takes an action that would normally end a call, such
as going on hook, pressing end, or the like. When the caller takes an
action that would normally end the call, the forced hold service allows
the caller to automatically reconnect to the emergency services provider
over the held connection upon going offhook, pressing send, or the like.
Alternatively, the emergency services provider can effectively re-engage
the call wherein the caller is reconnected over the held connection upon
going offhook, pressing send, or the like.