Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a message to a caller prior to the moment the recipient unhooks or answers their telephone or other network interface device, as well as optionally delivering a message to the caller, the recipient, or both after the connection between the service provider and the caller, and/or the connection between the service provider and the recipient has been established. The method and apparatus are effective for use with all telecommunications systems, including, but not limited to, optical-based telephone systems, wire-based telephone systems, wireless telephone systems, optical-based computer network systems, wire-based computer network systems, wireless computer network systems, and heterogeneous network systems.