A method of obtaining and using configuration information for communication devices in a P2P overlay for optimizing decision making based on locality is provided. An alpha-numeric hierarchical look-up procedure is provided that includes a general-to-specific search of a query having a result mapping of a location and purpose of the configuration information of the communication device. A registration procedure is provided for registering at least one resource, where the resource is found by the search on the overlay. The resource can be a communication device location, communication device information or the configuration information. The method provides calling an outside device from the overlay device and determining a gateway service provider that is most proximal to an area code or an exchange of the outside device by using the result mapping. An outside connection is established from the overlay device to the outside device, where a calling toll is minimized.