A system and method for improving communication between a switched network and a packet network is disclosed. In a simplified embodiment, a signaling gateway is utilized for converting signaling in a first protocol into a second protocol, and from the second protocol to said first protocol. At least one media gateway is utilized for converting multimedia provided in a first format into a second format, and from the second format into the first format. A session router for selecting at least one multimedia transmission route to a destination is also utilized, wherein the destination is specified by the switched network. In addition, a media router is also utilized for guiding the multimedia to the destination after conversion by the media gateway.