Abstract: An audio conferencing facility has a database for storing user data relating to authorisation to use the facility, and provides storage for a name file to be stored as part of the user data, which may be retrieved for generation of an audio signal to be played to one or more of the participants to a communication connection whenever that participant uses the conferencing facility. The name may be generated as an audio recording by the user, or entered as text, or retrieved from a directory in text form. It may be stored either in audio form or as text, for conversion to audio using a speech synthesiser. The name file may be played to the user on accessing the system, and/or to other participants when he joins or leaves a conference. By storing the name file for re-use in many conferences, the access to each conference is simplified. It also allows listeners-in to conferences to be announced in circumstances where speaking may be difficult because of background noise, speech impairment etc.

Abstract: A communications conference management system is prepared for the establishment of conference calls, by pre-programming the management system with identification data for participants authorised to be connected to a specific conference residing on a conference bridge. The conference management system is arranged such that connection to a specific conference residing on a bridge can be made in response to recognition of the network identifier. This facilitates access to the conference facilities.