A system for a caller to control a distinctive ring for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a service control point. The service switching point is operable to receive a feature code and a called directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the feature code. The service control point is operable to receive the query and issue a response to the service switching point. The response includes a distinctive ring parameter. Upon receiving the response from the service control point, the service switching point processes the call so that the distinctive ring parameter causes a distinctive ring signal to be applied to a called telephone line associated with the called directory number.