In one embodiment, a gateway implements: receiving an indication that a first and a second end point of a communication session are both associated with a first gateway, the first gateway in communication with a second gateway to access services; receiving from the first end point at the first gateway a compressed packet; and communicating within the first gateway, the compressed packet from the first end point to the second end point, where the communicating is initiated in response to the indication that the first and second end points of the communication session are both associated with the first gateway, and where the communicated compressed packet is communicated through the first gateway without passing through the second gateway.