The present invention is directed to a system, including apparatus and
architecture, and method for providing scheduled and ad hoc voice over IP
conference services having enhanced quality and reliability. The system
uses an overlay network of geographically distributed conference servers
working simultaneously and collaboratively to host a given conference
session. Multiple conference servers simultaneously and collaboratively
perform the necessary audio mixing. The voice routing path is established
and controlled within the overlay network and supports conference
services across different conference service providers.