Abstract: A method is described for providing voice conferencing between a plurality of users over a communications network. A host user initiates a voice conference using a host user terminal, where pluralities of user terminals join the voice conference. On joining the voice conference, each participant user terminal displays a participant user interface, and the host user terminal displays a host user interface. At least one participant user activates a request control on the participant user interface which, in turn, transmits a request to the host user to speak in the voice conference. The host user can then activate a selection control to select from among participant users who transmitted the request, the speech of the at least one selected user being transmitted to all of the plurality of users.

Abstract: A method is described for providing voice conferencing between a plurality of users over a communications network, the plurality of users comprising a host user and a plurality of participant users. The method comprises the host user initiating a voice conference using a host user terminal connected to the communications network. The plurality of users join the voice conference. Each of the plurality of users joins the conference by using a client executed at their respective user terminals, wherein on joining the voice conference the user terminal of each of the plurality of participant users displays a participant user interface and the user terminal of the host displays a host user interface. At least one of the plurality of participant users activates a request control on the participant user interface. The client transmits via the communication network a request to the host user to speak in the voice conference in response to the activation of the request control.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods for providing premium multiparty communication sessions between a plurality of callers. The plurality of callers may comprise an initiating caller who initiates the premium multiparty communication session but who does not have a status in the communication system which is recognized by an operator of the communication system for allowing the premium multiparty communication session to proceed; and a premium multiparty caller who has a status in the communication system which is recognized by the operator of the communication system such that the operator allows the premium multiparty communication session to proceed, wherein the premium multiparty caller is a different caller to the initiating caller. The premium multiparty caller funding the premium multiparty communication session may be transferred and assigned during communication sessions.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods for providing premium multiparty communication sessions between a plurality of callers. The plurality of callers may comprise an initiating caller who initiates the premium multiparty communication session but who does not have a status in the communication system which is recognized by an operator of the communication system for allowing the premium multiparty communication session to proceed; and a premium multiparty caller who has a status in the communication system which is recognized by the operator of the communication system such that the operator allows the premium multiparty communication session to proceed, wherein the premium multiparty caller is a different caller to the initiating caller. The premium multiparty caller funding the premium multiparty communication session may be transferred and assigned during communication sessions.

Abstract: A communication system, method and program, the system comprising: one or more wireless access nodes of a first communication service provider and at least one server associated with a second communication service provider, interconnected via a packet-based network; and a wireless user terminal operable to establish a session with one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, the wireless user terminal is installed with an application of the second communication service provider. The application is configured so as to: in event of failure to establish a session via one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, store information regarding the failed session at the wireless user terminal; and in event of subsequent access to the packet-based network, transmit the information regarding the failed session to the server associated with the second communication service provider over the packet-based network.

Abstract: A communication system, method and program, the system comprising: one or more wireless access nodes of a first communication service provider and at least one server associated with a second communication service provider, interconnected via a packet-based network; and a wireless user terminal operable to establish a session with one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, the wireless user terminal is installed with an application of the second communication service provider. The application is configured so as to: in event of failure to establish a session via one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, store information regarding the failed session at the wireless user terminal; and in event of subsequent access to the packet-based network, transmit the information regarding the failed session to the server associated with the second communication service provider over the packet-based network.

Abstract: A method is described for providing voice conferencing between a plurality of users over a communications network, the plurality of users comprising a host user and a plurality of participant users. The method comprises the host user initiating a voice conference using a host user terminal connected to the communications network. The plurality of users join the voice conference. Each of the plurality of users joins the conference by using a client executed at their respective user terminals, wherein on joining the voice conference the user terminal of each of the plurality of participant users displays a participant user interface and the user terminal of the host displays a host user interface. At least one of the plurality of participant users activates a request control on the participant user interface. The client transmits via the communication network a request to the host user to speak in the voice conference in response to the activation of the request control.