Emergency call prioritization

A system and method of operating a communication system is described. A communication interface receives a first user request for a voice service from a communication device. In response to receiving the first user request, the communication interface transfers an initial message requesting access to the voice service. The communication interface receives a response to the initial message that indicates that the voice service is not available. After receiving the response, the communication interface receives a second user request from the communication device. A processing system processes the second user request to determine if the second user request indicates an emergency service. If the second user request indicates the emergency service, then the communication interface transfers a call request for the emergency service. If the second user request does not indicate the emergency service, then the communication interface notifies the communication device that the voice service is not available.