Telephony access using an email address

摘要

A method and apparatus for placing a telephone call is provided in which an email address is used to identify an intended recipient of the call and initiate a telephone connection. An email address is input and transmitted to an email address receiver. A telephone number is determined by a central communications provider via accessing a database or series of databases of telephone numbers associated with the email address. The telephone number thus determined is dialed to connect the user with the intended recipient.