PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE SERVICE APPLICATION TO OBTAIN A COMMUNICATION SERVICE WHEN THE CURRENT SERVICE APPLICATION IS INHIBITED

A communication system receives packets transmitted by a user device. The packets implement a named service application to provide a communication service. The system transmits the packets to a packet network and identifies a communication problem. The system transmits information for delivery to the user device indicating that the named service application will be inhibited due to the communication problem and offering an alternative service application to provide the communication service. The system receives an acceptance transmitted by the user device, and in response, transmits the alternative service application for delivery to the user device. The system receives additional packets transmitted by the user device. The additional packets implement the alternative service application to provide the communication service. The system transmits the additional packets to the packet network.