The invention enables accessing and using a Voice over Internet Protocol network,
and can use a standard telephone to automatically access a VoIP network. A first
aspect of the invention uses an auto dialer to transmit digits, such as a network
access number, an account number and a PIN, which remain unchanged from call to
call made through a given network service provider. A second aspect of the invention
provides a speed dial feature for placing VoIP telephone calls. Speed dial numbers
are recorded in a VoIP service provider's database on a server, which is accessible
through the Internet from a personal computer (PC) or a conventional telephone.
A third aspect of the invention enables callers to complete calls from conventional
telephones to personal computers connected to the Internet. The VoIP network detects
a flag such as leading "0," determines that the call recipient station is a personal
computer, looks up the IP address of the PC and routes the call to the PC.