An interactive voice response system (102) includes a protocol interface (134) that is adapted to communicate with a plurality of divergent telecommunications networks for voice communications (104, 106, 108, 110). These networks are, for example, a wireline telecommunications network, a CDMA network, a GSM network, and a voice over IP network. A controller (136) is coupled to the protocol interface to receive a plurality of common call control messages from, and to supply a plurality of common call control messages to, the protocol interface. The protocol interface converts control messages from each one of the plurality of divergent telecommunications networks into the plurality of common call control messages for the controller. The controller generates and receives the common call control messages to cause a prompt and collect interaction with a caller that is using a device that is coupled to one of the networks. The common call control messages generated by the controller are converted by the protocol interface into control messages that are appropriate for the particular network that is to receive the control message. That is, the common call control messages are converted to the network's protocol.