A network-based system and method for providing anonymous voice communications
using the telephone network and data communications links under the direction of
a Call Broker and associated network elements. A user (the call initiator) present
in a text chat room session establishes a data connection to Call Broker and, after
qualifying for access (e.g., using credit card information) and providing a callback
number, receives voice session information and participant access codes for each
desired participant in a voice call. The initiator causes session information and
participant codes to be passed to one or more selected chat participants in the
current text chat room. When a selected participant uses the received session information,
and enters the received participant code and a callback number, the Call Broker
in cooperation with a Network Adjunct Processor (NAP) completes voice links to
the initiator and the selected participant(s). The need for each party to have
a second subscriber line is advantageously avoided by having the Call Broker arrange
to have one or more voice links completed through a VoIP link, and further reduces
the need for second lines for participants by forwarding a Call Broker—placed
call to a busy participant line to the participant's Internet Service Provider
(ISP), which then sends a message to the participant announcing one or more options
for receiving the incoming call, including receiving the incoming call through
a VoIP link.