Abstract: A method of accessing a first communication system of a first communication provider via a packet-based network, the first communication system maintaining a first list of contacts being users of the first communication system. The method comprises establishing a contact-sharing channel with a second communication system of a second, partner communication provider, wherein the second communication system is accessible via an independently executable web-browser and the packet-based network, and wherein the second communication system maintains second group of contacts being users of the second communication system. The contact-sharing channel is used to fetch contact information of one or more of the second contacts, so as to display at least part of the fetched contact information in the client application and establish a communication based on at least part of the fetched contact information.

Abstract: A method of accessing a first communication system of a first communication provider via a packet-based network, the first communication system maintaining a first list of contacts being users of the first communication system. The method comprises establishing a contact-sharing channel with a second communication system of a second, partner communication provider, wherein the second communication system is accessible via an independently executable web-browser and the packet-based network, and wherein the second communication system maintains second group of contacts being users of the second communication system. The contact-sharing channel is used to fetch contact information of one or more of the second contacts, so as to display at least part of the fetched contact information in the client application and establish a communication based on at least part of the fetched contact information.

Abstract: A method of accessing a first communication system of a first communication provider via a packet-based network, the first communication system maintaining a first list of contacts being users of the first communication system. The method comprises establishing a contact-sharing channel with a second communication system of a second, partner communication provider, wherein the second communication system is accessible via an independently executable web-browser and the packet-based network, and wherein the second communication system maintains second group of contacts being users of the second communication system. The contact-sharing channel is used to fetch contact information of one or more of the second contacts, so as to display at least part of the fetched contact information in the client application and establish a communication based on at least part of the fetched contact information.

Abstract: A method of providing selectable media content from a server to a user at a user terminal, the method comprising: storing variables relating to the user's familiarity with a communication client application executable at the user terminal; executing program code to read said variables to determine the media content to be provided to the user based on said variables; retrieving said determined media content from the server; and providing said media content to the user at the user terminal.

Abstract: A method of providing selectable media content from a server to a user at a user terminal, the method comprising: retrieving program code from the server, responsive to the user interacting with a communication client application executed at the user terminal; storing variables in a storage means at the user terminal; executing said program code at the user terminal to read said variables to determine the media content to be provided to the user based on said variables; retrieving said determined media content from the server; and providing said media content to the user at the user terminal.