The invention relates to a method for controlling recorded announcements and interactive voice responses for calls made outside an exchange, using a packet network (PN), by means of peripheral equipment (LTG) of a switching system, which does not provide any HW-oriented tasks for its interface system controlled by switching technology, whereby peripheral equipment (LTG) with virtual ports is defined. The method is characterised in that resources for the recorded announcement and interactive voice response function are provided by an external device, that the peripheral equipment is provided with virtual recorded announcement and interactive voice response ports, that an interface exists between the peripheral equipment and the external device and that the external resources can be used in relation to a specific port by the switching system.