A method and a system for establishing a self-owned and self-managed
network-based voice communication solution (VCS) for supporting business
transactions and commerce applications over the communications network(s)
including the Internet and PSTN. The voice communication solution is
requested by a merchant or business entity at a computer connected to the
Internet by providing (i) information needed for approval and (ii) system
configuration for accepting the solution. Through a friendly interactive
process with a web server and a solution server, the necessary software
for voice communication is downloaded to a merchant's designated computer
host, turning it to be a VCS server. Upon activation, the VCS server can
support voice over IP (VOIP) communication and connect an incoming call
to a telephone via PSTN or a PBX network. The VCS server can receive a
VOIP call from anyone at anyplace via an Internet connected voice enabled
computer. The caller launches a call agent via the merchant's web page(s)
or via a computer desktop interface or via a VOIP phone interface to
reach the privately held voice communication server. The server connects
the caller to a receiver according to the caller or merchant designated
phone number. These phone numbers are designated as e800 numbers and are
listed in various e800 directories for public use. Hence the VCS system
can convert any local phone number into an e800 number with `800` like
properties, serving as a self-owned, self-activated and self-managed
network-based voice communication system and solution.