Apparatus and method for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service provider using voice mail

The computer readable storage medium 14, wherein information corresponding to the selected service provider is stored in a service provider database.

The computer readable storage medium 15, wherein the service provider database stores information corresponding to a plurality of service providers from a wide array of fields of service.

The computer readable storage medium 14, further comprising:

• receiving a request from a service provider of a field of service for inclusion in the service provider database;
• and
• when the service provider is approved for inclusion in the service provider database, generating a record in the service provider database, the record including provider information contained in the request.

The computer readable storage medium 17, wherein the provider information includes one or more of a service price, real-time service provider availability, specific expertise of the service provider, languages spoken by the service provider, voice message capability and a quality rating for the service provider.

The computer readable storage medium 14, further comprising:

• billing the user for the live conversation with the selected service provider;
• and
• compensating the selected service provider for the live conversation with the user.

The computer readable storage medium 19, wherein the billing the user further comprises:

• measuring a duration of the live conversation between the user and the selected service provider;
• and
• calculating a billing amount for the user based on the duration of the live conversation and a time-based price charged by the selected service provider.

The computer readable storage medium 14, wherein the premium fee is predetermined as a percentage of a billing amount.

The computer readable storage medium 14, wherein the premium fee is about ten percent of a billing amount.

The computer readable storage medium 14, further comprising:

• if the real-time communications is not established due to selected service provider unavailability, deducting a predetermined amount from the selected service provider;
• and
• if the selected service provider is connected with a user following review of a message, refunding the predetermined amount deducted from the selected service provider.

A system comprising:

• a user interface to receive a request from a user for a service provider;
• a processor to receive, from the user interface, a selection from the user for a selected provider and initiate a connection between the user and the selected service provider for a live conversation via a real-time communications link, the processor enabling a user to leave a voice message for the selected service provider in response to a failure to establish the connection, the processor initiating a connection between the selected service provider with the user via the real-time communications link in response to the service provider reviewing the message, the processor collecting a premium fee for a connection initiation.