Apparatus and method for a world wide web-based directory with automatic call capability

A method of providing Web-based directory services to establish a voice communication session with an IP-based telephone, said method comprising the steps of:

• populating a database with directory entries, each entry being associated with an entity and including information relating to establishing a voice communication session with the entity;
• receiving, in an Internet accessible server in communication with the database, a user request to provide directory information, wherein the request includes an address to which the requested information may be sent;
• transmitting directory information from the server to the address included in the request, the directory information including at least one directory entry;
• receiving in the server a request to establish a voice communication session with the entity associated with the at least one directory entry;
• determining a manner of establishing voice communication with the user;
• initiating the requested voice communication session using a conferencing system coupled to the server by initiating a call to at least one of the entity and the user by initiating a voice call to the user and waiting until the call to the user has been terminated at a user device to initiate a voice call to the entity;
• determining that the voice call to the entity has not been terminated within a predetermined time period;
• and
• transmitting a message to the user indicative of the non-responsiveness of the entity.