Target device and method for establishing a communication path in a networked communications system

A target device (18) performs the steps of receiving a broadcast message via an out-of-band paging network (14) which message includes an identification of the sourcing device. The subscriber (18) automatically registers, responsive to the receipt of the broadcast message, with a local communication server (22) associated with an in-band communications network (12). The target subscriber (18) then uses the identification of the sourcing device (16) to respond to the communication from the sourcing device (16) to establish a communication path therewith through the local communication server (22). In a preferred embodiment, the target subscriber unit and method reside in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. In this manner, the present invention establishes a direct communication path between the local communications server (22) to which the target subscriber unit (18) is attached and the sourcing device (16) thereby minimizing network trafficking and inefficiency problems.