In different embodiments, the invention contemplates a device, system, and
method of transferring a voice mail message in text format on a per use
basis. The inventive method includes receiving a voice mail message
directed to a telephone number, correlating the telephone number to at
least one data network address, and forwarding the voice mail message to
the data network address. The data network address may be associated with
an e-mail address, pager, wireless telephone, personal digital assistant
(PDA) or other device capable of displaying text messages. The inventive
method may further include converting the voice mail message to an
electronic data file, such as a text tile, for example. Also, the
electronic data file may provide a name of a party initiating the voice
mail message, a telephone number of a party initiating the voice mail
message, a time and a date of the voice mail message, and/or a duration
of the voice mail message, for example. The inventive method may further
include storing the voice mail message on a computer-readable medium
associated with the data network address. Typically, the user enters the
data network address using characters on a telephone keypad. Because
special characters are sometimes needed to enter e-mail addresses, the
"*" key and "#" key may be utilized to enter special characters such as
"@", ".", "-", etc. The service provider may charge for the voicemail
forwarding service on a per use basis or based on the number of
characters entered by the user.