Conference connections using dynamic topology switching for IP and circuit-switched fabrics

A system for call conferencing a plurality of participants is provided that includes (a) an input operable to receive, from a conference call participant A-E, at least one of (i) a selective listening request and (ii) a request to remove selective listening, wherein the communication devices 416 a-e of the conference call participants A-E are connected to a plurality of gateways 408, 424 ; and (b) a conference configuration agent 346 operable, in response thereto and during the conference call, to change from a first conference topology to a second conference topology, wherein the first and second conference topologies have a different number of inter-gateway connections.