A sending device exchanges handshake signals with a recording device prior
to the delivery of voice messages. The sending and recording device are
remotely connected using a data network. In one embodiment of the present
invention, the data network provides different levels of quality of
services (QOS). The voice message can be sent using a low QOS level that
permits long delays between voice-based data packets. On the other hand,
the handshaking negotiation (e.g., the status request and acknowledgment
packets) is carried out using a higher QOS level that permits shorter
delays. By knowing the status of the recording device before recording, a
user will not waste time to record the voice message.