A network-based
system and method for providing anonymous voice communications using the
telephone network and data communications links under the direction of a Call Broker and associated network elements. A user (the call initiator) present in a
text chat room session establishes a
data connection to Call Broker and, after qualifying for access (e.g., using
credit card information) and providing a
callback number, receives voice session information and participant access codes for each desired participant in a voice call. The initiator causes session information and participant codes to be passed to one or more selected chat participants in the current
text chat room. When a selected participant uses the received session information, and enters the received participant code and a
callback number, the Call Broker in cooperation with a Network Adjunct Processor (
NAP) completes voice links to the initiator and the selected participant(s). The need for each party to have a second subscriber line is advantageously avoided by having the Call Broker arrange to have one or more voice links completed through a VoIP link, and further reduces the need for second lines for participants by forwarding a Call Broker—placed call to a busy participant line to the participant's
Internet Service Provider (ISP), which then sends a message to the participant announcing one or more options for receiving the incoming call, including receiving the incoming call through a VoIP link.