The invention enables accessing and using a Voice over Internet Protocol
network, and can use a standard telephone to automatically access a VoIP
network. A first aspect of the invention uses an auto dialer to transmit
digits, such as a network access number, an account number and a PIN,
which remain unchanged from call to call made through a given network
service provider. A second aspect of the invention provides a speed dial
feature for placing VoIP telephone calls. Speed dial numbers are recorded
in a VoIP service provider's database on a server, which is accessible
through the Internet from a personal computer (PC) or a conventional
telephone. A third aspect of the invention enables callers to complete
calls from conventional telephones to personal computers connected to the
Internet. The VoIP network detects a flag such as leading "0," determines
that the call recipient station is a personal computer, looks up the IP
address of the PC and routes the call to the PC.