A system and method for receiving dial-up Internet access calls with an available remote Internet Service Provider modem is provided. A data tandem in a modem center to which a data call is directed determines whether it can receive the call with a modem associated with it. If not, the data tandem queries other local data tandems to determine whether they receive the call with an associated modem. If no local data tandem can receive the call, remote data tandems are queried for an available modem. When an available modem is located, the dial-up Internet access call is routed to that modem, whether local or remote. The invention may also be used to optimize the routing of data calls to maintain optimal modem performance.