Abstract: An answering system for use to provide a mass answering capability in a communications network is based on a platform architecture which terminates switched telephony calls from the PSTN on a platform that is based entirely on an Internet Protocol (IP) network using Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies to deliver streamed media to the PSTN caller. Also, media is streamed to callers accessing the platform via the Internet using a web browser or H.323 compliant client. By using an IP based internal architecture, the platform provides integral support for access via the Internet for both service users, i.e. end callers and service/platform maintainers. This integrated approach leads to a single management facility to manage both the switched voice telephony and the Internet elements of the service delivered by the platform.