A method and system, employing IP telephony, for providing continuous,
uninterrupted voice communications during disaster conditions wherein the
disaster site telephone infrastructure has been rendered inoperable or
inaccessible. The system uses Voice over IP (VoIP) and emerging IP
telephony standards to enable users to receive telephone calls, normally
destined for their work phone, at a personal computer terminal connected
to the Internet. Users can also place calls from their terminal to the
PSTN or to other users on the system. Combining telephone line
redirection with IP telephony capabilities enables the construction of a
system that provides users with unlimited flexibility in responding to a
severe business interruption with full voice communications. The system
can be customized so calling parties will be presented with precisely the
same greetings and messages, for each user telephone extension, that were
present in the disaster site's telephone system. Switching from the
disaster site's telephone infrastructure to the system can be
accomplished in minutes.