Abstract: The present invention is a method by which a dial inbound MIU is able to provide for connection with a central station computer without the need for any specialized telephone equipment at the telephone company's central office. If the customer's phone has been called, the invention detects whether the customer has answered. It then waits until the customer hangs up, and when the customer hangs up it siezes the line and waits for a modem tone indicative of the presence of the central station computer waiting to establish communication. If that modem tone is present, the MIU will connect to the central computer and permit communication to take place before releasing the phone line.