Abstract: A method for establishing anonymous communication links comprises the steps of: identifying a plurality of subscribers; assigning a code to each of the plurality of subscribers; accessing a proprietary directory of the subscribers containing the code of each of the plurality of subscribers; and connecting a first subscriber of the plurality of subscribers to a second subscriber of the plurality of subscribers for communications. The first subscriber is identified by a first code so that the first subscriber can communicate with the second subscriber anonymously.

Abstract: One communications device (called the "impersonating" device) can selectively impersonate another communications device (called the "impersonated" device) by arranging the impersonating device to take over and/or use the same network identification number (typically stored in an identification number memory and used to control selection of incoming calls to which the device responds) normally associated with the impersonated device. As a result of impersonation, there is a hand-off between the devices, with the impersonated device becoming dormant and the impersonating device becoming active, such that calls normally received by the impersonated device are received by the impersonating device, and such that calls originating in the impersonating device get the identical network treatment as would be accorded to calls originated by the impersonated device, all of this without any need to adjust or update profiles stored in a network database.