System and method for establishing internet communications links

A system for use in a data communications network in which a party at a client is interconnected with a server via a packet-based communications network, wherein the server provides on-line information, representatives are connected to the server by terminals, and the party and representatives have telephones, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a request with the server that a data communications link and a telephone call be established between the party and a given one of the representatives;
• means for providing linking information concerning the data communications link;
• means for transmitting a notification packet to the client, the notification packet providing the party with an opportunity to select whether to continue with establishing the data communications link and the telephone call, said transmitting means including means for transmitting a predetermined port and Internet Protocol address associated with the server to the client;
• and
• means, when the party selects to continue, both for establishing the data communications link between the client and the terminal of the given representative based on the linking information, and for establishing the telephone call between the telephone of the party and the telephone of the given representative.