Telephone call initiation

摘要

A system is described for establishing a telephone connection between a first party and a second party. A client computer terminal 2 responds to user input of the first party to generate a telephone call specifying message TCSM that is passed via a computer network link (e.g. Internet link) to a server computer apparatus 10. The server computer apparatus 10 controls a telephone call initiator 12 that makes a first call back to the first party and when this is answered then makes a second call to the second party and then connects the first party to the second party. The telephone call initiator 12 can generate a voice announcement to be played when the first call is answered. The server computer apparatus 10 electronically bills the first party when the call is terminated. The telephone call initiator 12 can establish third and further calls to additional parties to enable conference calls to be made.