A network telephony system is provided which enables unified messaging services. The system generally includes at least one user agent (102,104) operatively coupled to a data network (106) and a signalling server operatively coupled to the data network (106). The user agents (102,104) are telephony endpoints, such as standalone Internet telephony appliances or personal computers with appropriate telephony software. A messaging server (110) is provided which is operatively coupled to the data network (106) and is responsive to the signaling server (108). The system also includes a media server (112A,112B) which is operatively coupled to the network and includes computer data storage media for storing message files. The media server is responsive to the messaging server (110) and, on occurrence of a message condition, is directly accessible to a calling party to store a message file for subsequent retrieval by a called party.