WO1999041899A1

WO1999041899A1 - System and method for controlling and selecting long distance telephone rates

Info

Publication number: WO1999041899A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/002864
Authority: WO
Inventors: David H. Tannenbaum
Original assignee: Global Mobility Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-02-11
Filing date: 1999-02-10
Publication date: 1999-08-19
Also published as: AU2668599A

Abstract

A system and method for minimizing the cost of long distance telecommunications connections is disclosed. Long distance service providers monitor current and predicted demands on their telecommunications networks. In response to actual, real-time demand levels, the service providers adjust their rate schedules for long distance callers. Callers can access an Internet web site, or some other computer network node, to obtain current rate information for a particular calling destination or time. The callers are then able to route their calls over the long distance network with the best rate. Telecommunications service providers can also provide related services, such as automatically connecting callers to the lowest available rate for each long distance call. In another embodiment, callers can schedule future calls to lock-in a certain rate or to guarantee a particular type of connection.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND SELECTING LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE RATES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications networks and, more particularly, to a system and method which allows a caller to select the lowest cost long distance telephone service from a number of service providers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, service providers for telecommunications systems maintain a set rate structure for long distance calls that are completed over their networks. Callers usually have a default long distance provider assigned to their home or business. This default provider handles all long distance calls that are directly dialed from the home or business. Callers can also access other long distance networks by dialing special access codes or routing numbers. Usually, long distance networks offer various special rate plans, such as flat rates for all calls, lower rates for calls at certain times or reduced rates for regular customers. Some service providers offer reduced rates for certain types of calling services, such as low collect call rates.

A problem with the prior art telecommunications systems is that there are too many long distance providers and too many rate structures available for callers to continuously monitor. Accordingly, callers have difficulty keeping track of the best long distance rates that are available. A caller is likely to select a default service provider that has the best long distance rates for that caller's average long distance calls, such as the best rates for a certain group of cities or for certain times of the day. However, due to the large number of long distance service providers, there is a high probability that there is a better long distance rate available on another telecommunications network for each specific call that the caller makes. An object of the present invention is to provide a way for callers to identify the best available rate for each call.

Another problem in the prior art telecommumcations systems is the service provider's inability to modify rates in real-time to reflect the actual, instantaneous economic value of long distance connections. Long distance service providers set their rate schedule to reflect anticipated use during various time periods. For example, during predicted periods of low long distance call volume, such as on weekends, the service providers set their rates at a lower level to attract additional business. On the other hand, service providers set their rates to a high level during periods of anticipated peak use, such as during normal business hours. However, if the actual call volume on the network is at an unexpectedly low level during business hours, the service providers do not have an effective way to reduce their rates to attract more business. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to give network service providers a way to disseminate real-time rate schedule information to potential callers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method in which long distance telephone networks provide rate schedule information to a centralized database. Callers can then access the database to determine the current long distance rates that are being offered by various networks. In a preferred embodiment, the long distance telephone networks are linked to the database via the Internet and callers access a rate schedule website to get rate information. In other embodiments, callers or local telephone networks gather rate information directly from each long distance network.

The service providers for each long distance telephone network can monitor the actual network demand levels in real-time. When the demand levels are higher than expected or lower than expected, the service providers can temporarily adjust the scheduled rates to reflect the actual usage levels. By providing the new rate information to a central database, the service providers can inform those who access that database of the temporary rate modifications. It will be understood that the networks can also modify rates for future calling periods in addition to changing the current rates. In this manner, users can book blocks of time at selected or negotiated rates.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a computer network node, such as an Internet website, that is accessible to a large number of long distance callers. Callers who access the website provide certain call parameters, such as the telecommunications destination for the call, the expected call duration and the time when the call is to be made. In response, the website or other interface displays a list of currently available telecommumcations rates for those call parameters. Callers would then have the option of either scheduling a future call at the offered rate or immediately completing the long distance call over the network with the lowest rate.

It is an additional feature of the present invention to provide callers with rate schedule information via their telephone or wireless device. Callers can interact with service providers in a number of ways, such as by using a voice or DTMF response menu or by using a menu displayed on a wireless device. The service providers transmit a list of currently available rates for a selected long distance destination and the callers select a desired network having an optimal rate. The service providers could then offer to connect the callers over the selected network. The service providers could also inform the callers of the appropriate telephone number or access code that is required to access the selected network. Another feature of the invention is the capability of local or long distance telecommunications networks to provide calling services, such as guaranteed connection to the lowest rate on each long distance call. In this embodiment, callers could simply direct dial long distance numbers and the local telephone service provider would analyze the currently available rates for each call. The local provider would then connect the caller over the network with the best rate. This connection could be accomplished without requiring the caller to select or approve how the call was routed. Alternatively, a third party provider could offer this type of service by providing a dedicated long distance service access number. Callers would be able to first dial the service's access number and then the desired destination number. The third party provider would obtain the caller's destination information and route the call via the network with the best rate.

A further feature of the present invention allows callers to schedule future long distance connections for regular telephone calls or for special types of telecommunications connections, such as teleconferences or data transmissions. A rate schedule website, or distributed software program, can be configured to prompt callers for teleconference information, such as the number of callers and the time of the teleconference. Once the telecommunications information is gathered, the website then provides the callers with rate information display. Callers can use the website interface, or multiple website interfaces, to select the network with the best available rate and schedule the teleconference.

Callers that need to transmit large amounts of data can use the present invention to determine an optimal time to send the data. The rate scheduling interface would allow callers to select and schedule blocks of time for data transmission. Using the present invention, callers could confirm that a connection will be available with an appropriate bandwidth to transmit data signals. Callers could schedule either single transmission blocks or recurring blocks for regular data exchanges.

Another feature of the present invention provides for monitoring the real-time rate schedules for a certain destination and for completing a connection to that destination when the rates are below a selected limit. For example, if a caller desired to make a non-urgent long distance call but did not want to accept the currently available rates, then he or she could wait to complete the connection until the rates dropped below a certain limit. A service provider could employ this feature by accepting certain information from the caller, such as the desired destination and the maximum rate that will be accepted. Then the service provider would monitor the rate schedules and, when the rate dropped below the maximum limit, automatically route the call over the network with the lowest rate.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a typical long distance telephone connection; and

FIGURE 2 is a system employing the present invention to establish long distance telephone connections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGURE 1 shows system 10 which is a typical telecommunications network connecting users 11, 13 and 16. Each user is connected to a local service provider 12, 14 or 17 which provides local telephone service. Local service providers 12, 14 and 17 also provide access to long distance networks, such as networks 15 and 18, which link local telephone networks for different areas. User 11, which could be a wireless, wireline, switched, private or internet connection, can establish a long distance telecommunications connection to user 16 using either network 15 or network 18. Typically, user 11 will have selected a particular long distance service provider, such as network 15, as a default network. The default network is used to complete all direct- dialed long distance calls. However, user 11 can access other long distance networks, such as network 18, by dialing special routing or access codes, such as by using "1- 800" or " 10XXX" numbers.

Usually, a customer will select a default long distance provider that has the best rate for calls to a particular area or the best average rate for all calls or a flat rate for all calls. In some cases, default provider 15 may not have the best rate for a particular call. Instead, for a certain time of day or for a particular telecommunications destination, another network, such as network 18, will have the lowest rate. If user 11 is aware of the lower rate that is available on network 18 for a particular call, then he or she can route the call through network 18 instead of through default network 15.

The service provider for network 18 will then charge caller 11 for the calls completed over network 18.

FIGURE 1 also shows the connections for a teleconference between users 11, 13 and 16. Each user is connected through his or her respective local service network 12, 14 or 17. In order to set up a teleconference between users 11, 13 and 16, long distance service provider 15 may set up a specific dial-in number for the participants to call in order to access the teleconference. In other situations, an operator employed by service provider 15 could contact each party and join them to the teleconference. As with the two party communications discussed above, the rate charged for the teleconference will be set by service provider 15. However, other networks, such as 18, may have a better rate for a particular time, duration or number of participants. Therefore, user 11 may choose any network for a particular call depending upon the applicable rate schedule.

FIGURE 2 shows network 20 which incorporates the present invention. In network 20, users 21 and 23 can use Internet 28 to access telephone rate information and to schedule telecommunication connections, such as telephone calls, teleconferences or data transmissions, at optimum rates. In system 20, user 21 is connected to local telephone service provider 22 and user 23 is connected to local service provider 24 in a different area. Users 21 and 23 can choose from a number of long distance service provider networks 25, 26 and 27 in order to establish a communication connection.

As discussed above, one factor in selecting a particular long distance network is the rate that will be charged. It is difficult for a user to keep track of all of the long distance telephone service providers and all of their various telecommumcations rates and calling plans. System 20 addresses this problem by introducing a centralized location for compiling current telecommunications rate information. Callers 21 and 23 can access this database of rate information to determine which long distance service provider has the lowest rate for a call to a specific destination at a specific time.

Long distance service providers 25, 26 and 27 are connected to Internet 28 via communication links 201, 202 and 203. Server 207 gathers telecommunications rate information from service providers 25, 26 and 27 over Internet 28 via link 209. Database 208 stores the rate information that is compiled by server 207. In one embodiment, server 207 gathers rate information from each long distance network on a periodic basis. In another embodiment, server 207 is capable of querying each long distance network in real-time in order to update the rates for a connection to a specific telecommunications destination. Server 207 may be managed by a long distance or local telecommunications service provider, such as providers 22, 25, 26 or 27, or it may be controlled by an independent party. Local network 22 can access Internet 28 and server 207 via link 206. 10

Users 21 and 23 access the rate information on server 207 and database 208 via personal computers (PCs) 29 and 30 which are connected to Internet 28 via links 204 and 205. In a preferred embodiment, users 21 and 23 connect to a web site or other network service node, such as an FTP site, that is accessible through Internet 28. The web site or network node provides an interface which allows users 21 and 23 to exchange call destination information and telecommunications rate information with server 207. The rate information interface allows users 21 and 23 to select various parameters for a desired telecommunication connection, such as the time of the call, the called destination and the duration of the connection. In response to the selected parameters, the interface will display the telecommunications rates that are available on each network. Alternatively, the interface may simply display the lowest rate that is available. Users 21 and 23 can also configure the interface to display a comparison of various rates for a particular destination at different times or for different call durations. The present invention allows service providers for each long distance network

25, 26 and 27 to continually update the rate that is charged for a particular call. Currently, long distance service providers charge customers based upon fixed rate schedules. There is no system or method in use which allows long distance telephone service providers to temporarily adjust their rates to reflect an actual instantaneous economic value of the long distance service. Under the fixed rate plan a customer is charged the same amount without regard to the actual traffic load or demand on the network. Therefore, if the call volume on a long distance network approached the system's operating limits, the service provider is restricted to charging additional callers at the set rate. Alternatively, if the call volume on the long distance network is very low, the service provider does not have a way of offering lower rates to the public to attract additional users.

For example, assuming the scheduled cost for a call from Dallas to Seattle during business hours was $.15 per minute on network 25, if the call level is very high on a particular day, the service provider does not have an effective method of notifying additional callers that they will be charged at a higher rate for the call. On the other 11

hand, assuming network 26 had a set rate of $.25 per minute for the same Dallas to Seattle call, if network 26 demand levels were lower than expected, then the service provider cannot attract more callers by offering a lower rate because there is no system in the prior art for notifying the calling public of temporary, real-time rate adjustments. In the example above, the service provider for network 25 would like to increase rates when network demand is high. Using the present invention, the service provider could adjust the rates for additional callers. For example, callers that are not regular network customers or callers that access the network through special access codes could be required to acknowledge a higher rate before their calls are completed during the peak use period. In this manner, regular customers could rely on a previously agreed upon fixed rate, but other callers would be charged a higher rate for the high demand call. When potential callers access the telephone rate web site, the interface would display a rate that is set based upon a current call level or a current network demand level. On the other hand, in the above example, the provider on network 26 would like to increase business by dropping rates. Again, using the telephone rate web site, the service provider could set rates which reflect the low network demand level. Callers who access the web site would be shown the temporary "bargain" rate for network 26, instead of the standard fixed rate. This would induce callers to choose network 26 to complete their long distance calls.

In the present invention, long distance service providers can adjust their rates based upon an overall network demand level, a demand level for a particular destination or for any other parameters. In one embodiment, callers are notified of the currently available rates in real-time via the telephone rate web site. Callers are then able to choose the best rate for a particular destination and time.

In an alternative embodiment, callers can obtain telecommunications rate information via their telephone. For example, callers could dial a telephone number which would connect them to an interactive program that has access to rate information. Callers could respond to menu prompts using speech or DTMF inputs to identify a desired call destination. The dial-in program could respond with the network 12

having the lowest current rate for that call. The dial-in service could also offer to connect the user to the selected call destination via the lowest-rate network.

The present invention can also be used to schedule future calling times. Long distance service providers could provide rate schedules for specific future destinations and times. A caller could access the interface for server 207 and input parameters for a future call, such as the telecommunications destination, call duration or minimum signal bandwidth requirements. The caller could then select the best rate for that call and schedule a block of network time during which the call would be completed.

Alternatively, the user could interactively negotiate a specific rate with the long distance carrier. For example, the user could submit a bid or request to service providers for a specific rate for a call. The user could specify the duration of the call, the time the call was to begin and the intended destination. In response, the service provider could either accept the call at the proposed rate or offer alternative options, such as a different rate for the specified calling parameters or different parameters for the specified rate. For instance, the service provider may find the proposed rate acceptable if the user agrees to a longer call duration. The user may be in a position to accept the longer calling connection by modifying the communication that is to be made during that call, such as by scheduling a larger data transmission. Once the user and service provider agree upon the calling parameters and rate, then the call could be scheduled for a future block of time.

Callers could be issued a special access code or password to be used when the scheduled call was dialed. Alternatively, the caller could identify a particular telephone number from which a scheduled call would be initiated. The selected network could match automatic number identification (ANI) information against a scheduled call list to identify callers that are to receive special scheduled rates.

Callers, such as businesses, that make large data transfers could schedule blocks of time for periodic or one time transmissions. The business would then be guaranteed a network connection at a certain rate for those calls. When the scheduled block time arrives, the business would simply route the call through the scheduled network. Long distance networks could also guarantee scheduling callers that 13

communication links with sufficient bandwidth to support data transmission will be available at the scheduled future time. By scheduling periodic blocks of time for data transfers, a business could reduce or eliminate the need for and cost of a dedicated telephone line connection. Instead, data could be held and transmitted in bulk during scheduled times.

Local telephone network 22 and long distance networks 25, 26 and 27 could use the present invention to offer specialized calling services to their customers. For example, network 22 could selectively route long distance calls via the network with the best long distance rate. Local network 22 can access server 207 and networks 25, 26 and 27 via Internet 28 over connection 206. In operation, when caller 21 dials user

23's number, network 22 would check the list of current rates on server 207 or it could query each long distance network in real-time for their current rate for the dialed telecommunication destination. After comparing the available rates, network 22 would then route caller 21 call via the network with the lowest rate. Alternatively, local network 22 may be in direct communication with long distance networks 25, 26 and 27 so that it can maintain a current list of available rates for all destinations or for frequently-dialed destinations. In this embodiment, when caller 21 places a long distance call, local network 22 would already have the rate information available so that it could route the call without delay. In another embodiment, a third party services provider could offer the best-rate calling services instead of a local or long distance network.

Long distance service providers 25, 26 and 27 and local network 22 could use the rate information to offer additional calling services. For example, routine calls that do not have to be completed immediately could be held until the long distance rate drops below a selected level. Caller 21 could select a feature so that the network would place a call to user 23 when one of the long distance networks, 25, 26 or 27, lowers its rate below the selected level. At that time, the network would call back caller 21 and then initiate the connection to user 23.

Callers can use the telephone rate web site to schedule future calls and to configure calling services. For example, callers can check the rates for specific calls 14

and then schedule blocks of time at those rates. Callers can also configure other services, such as conference calls, on the web site. If caller 21 desired to set up a conference call, he or she could access the telephone rate web site and enter information pertaining to the time, duration and number of participants for the teleconference. The web site would identify the lowest rate for the teleconference and caller 21 could schedule the call. The other participants in the call could then be notified via Internet 28 of the time and access number for the teleconference.

It will be understood that neither a web site nor Internet 28 are required to implement the present invention. Users 21 and 23 and local network 22 could contact long distance providers 25, 26 and 27 directly either through a direct dialed connection or over a proprietary computer network. The call parameter and telecommumcations rate schedule information could then be exchanged directly between the long distance networks and the users over the computer or telephone connection. The telecommunications rate information could also be accessed via a service node on a proprietary computer network instead of using an Internet web site. In fact, any computer connection which allows for client/server type interaction between the users and the service providers can be used to implement the present invention. Call rate information may also be transmitted over a cable network, such as a residential cable television system or other cable system that is capable of transmitting data. The telephone rate information can be provided in both visual and audio formats. On a web site or computer network node, rates indexed by network, time and duration could be shown on a computer display. In another embodiment, caller 21 could use a telephone or wireless device to access the rate determining service. The rate program could prompt callers to enter the long distance number that they wish to call and then the program would respond with an audio message which indicates the lowest rate that is currently available for that call. Caller 21 could then accept the lowest available rate by entering a DTMF signal or by speaking.

It will also be understood that local network 22 may be either a wireline telephone service provider or a wireless telecommunications service provider. Accordingly, callers 21 and 23 may access networks 22 and 24 using a wireline or a 15

wireless device as appropriate for the specific local network. In a wireless network, the rate schedule information may be visually displayed on a wireless device display and the user could select a desired rate using from a menu of available telecommunications rates.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

16WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A website for selective access to and from a plurality of users, said website comprising: means for receiving, from a user, destination information pertaining to a desired telecommunication connection; and means for displaying, for said user, a currently available rate structure with respect to said destination information.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rate structure is dynamically changing under control of a telecommunications carrier.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said displayed rate structure includes time of day options.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said displayed rate structure includes carrier options.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said displayed rate structure includes call duration options.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said displayed rate structure includes routing differences correlated to different rate structures.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said website accepts from said user data pertaining to a desired telecommunication destination.

8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: means for exchanging data between said user and one or more telecommunications networks. 17

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said exchanged data comprises destination information and rate structure information.

10. A computer program product having a computer readable medium with computer program logic stored thereon for allowing users to access one or more telecommunications networks, said computer program product comprising: communication means for exchanging information with said one or more telecommunications networks, wherein said exchanged information pertains to telecommunications rate information; and means for displaying received billing rate information to said users.

11. The computer program product of claim 10 further comprising: means for allowing said users to configure one or more telecommunications connections using said displayed rate information.

12. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said communication means further comprises: means for selectively connecting a user to one of said telecommunications networks, wherein said information is exchanged directly with said one telecommunications network.

13. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said communications means further comprises: means for connecting to a computer network linking said one or more telecommunications networks, wherein said telecommunications rate information is exchanged through a central node on said computer network.

14. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said telecommunications rate information includes telecommunications service provider information. 18

15. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said telecommunications rate information includes destination information.

16. The computer program product of claim 10 wherein said received information comprises: telecommunications rate information correlated to different time options and carrier options.

17. The computer program product of claim 10 further comprising: means for scheduling a block of time in the future for establishing a telecommunications connection through a selected telecommunications network under control of said users.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising: means for interactively establishing a billing rate for scheduled ones of said time blocks.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 wherein the established billing rate is selected by said user from said displayed billing rate information.

20. A method for establishing telecommunications connections comprising the steps of: determining, in real-time, connection rates for a plurality of telecommunications networks; and connecting two or more parties via a selected one of said telecommunications networks, wherein said selected network is chosen in part based upon a comparison of said determined connection rates.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said determining step comprises the steps of: 19

providing desired telecommunications connection parameters to said telecommunications networks; and receiving said connection rates from said telecommunications networks, wherein said connection rates correspond to said desired telecommunications connection parameters.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said desired telecommunications parameters comprise: telecommunications destination information.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said desired telecommunications parameters comprise: time of day information.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein said desired telecommunications parameters comprise: call duration information.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein said desired telecommunications parameters comprise: signal bandwidth information.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein said determining step further comprises the steps of: connecting to a telecommunications rate information database; and receiving rate information from said database, wherein said received rate information corresponds to desired telecommunications connection parameters.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said database is accessed via an Internet web site. 20

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said database is maintained on a proprietary computer network.

29. A method for providing a telecommumcations connection service comprising the steps of: receiving telephone call parameter information from a caller; determining telecommunications connection rate information corresponding to said call parameters, wherein said rate information is associated with at least one telecommunications network and obtained on a continuously updated basis from said telecommunications network; presenting said rate information to said caller; and accepting a telecommunications network selection from said caller.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of: routing a telephone call through said telecommunications network selected by said caller.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein said telephone call parameter information is received via a computer connection with said caller.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein said rate information is presented to said caller on a computer display

33. The method of claim 29 wherein said telephone call parameter information is received via a wireless connection to said caller.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said rate information is presented to said caller via a wireless device menu display.

35. The method of claim 29 wherein said telephone call parameter information is received via a wireline connection to said caller. 21

36. The method of claim 29 wherein said rate information is presented to said caller via an audio message.

37. The method of claim 29 wherein said telephone call parameter information received from said caller is associated with a telecommunications connection that is to be made at a future time.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of: scheduling a future telecommunications connection for said caller.

39. A method for routing telephone calls comprising the steps of: receiving destination information associated with an initiated telephone call; receiving a rate structure for one or more telecommunications networks, said rate structure corresponding to connecting said initiated telephone call to said destination via said telecommunications networks; and routing said initiated telephone call to said destination via a telecommunications network having an optimal rate structure.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of: providing said destination information to said one or more telecommunications networks.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said determining step further comprises the steps of: accessing a rate structure database; and correlating said destination information with rate structure information stored in said database.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said rate structure database is accessed via an Internet connection. 22

43. The method of claim 41 wherein said rate structure database is in communication with a plurality of telecommunications networks; and said method further comprising the step of: updating said database by periodically receiving current rate structure information from said plurality of telecommunications networks.

44. The method of claim 39 wherein said receiving and routing steps are accomplished by a local telephone network.

45. A system for routing communications in a telecommunications network comprising: means for receiving telecommunications destination information from a caller; means for determining, in real-time, telecommunications rate information associated with said telecommunications destination for one or more telecommunications networks; means for providing said rate information to said caller; and means for connecting said caller to said destination via a selected telecommunications network.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein said receiving means and said providing means comprise: a computer network linking said caller to a database containing said telecommunications rate information, said database being periodically updated from information provided by said telecommunications network.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein said receiving means and said providing means comprise: a wireless communication network linking said caller to a database containing said telecommunications rate information. 23

48. The method of claim 45 wherein said connecting means comprises: means for scheduling a future connection between said caller and said destination.

49. A telecommunications network in which call charges are computed from a calling party to a called party under variable rates, said network including: means for establishing said rates for various periods of times; and means for periodically communicating said established rates to calling parties prior to the establishment of a calling connection.

50. The network of claim 49 wherein said periodically communicated rates are current rates.

51. The network of claim 49 wherein said periodically communicated rates are future rates.

52. The network of claim 49 wherein said periodically communicated rates are rates for blocks of time.

53. The network of claim 49 further comprising: means for allowing said calling party and a telecommumcations service provider to negotiate said established rates for calling connections.

54. The network of claim 53 further comprising: means for booking future blocks of time at said negotiated rates.

55. The network of claim 53 wherein said allowing means is an interactive computer network node.

56. The network of claim 55 wherein said interactive computer network node is an internet website. 24

57. A method for providing communications connections for a network in which connection charges are computed from a calling party to a called party under variable rates, comprising the steps of: establishing said rates for various periods of times; and periodically communicating rates to calling parties prior to the establishment of a calling connection.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said periodically communicated rates are current rates.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein said periodically communicated rates are future rates.

60. The method of claim 57 wherein said periodically communicated rates are rates for blocks of time.

61. The network of claim 57 further comprising the step of: allowing said calling party and a communications service provider to negotiate rates for calling connections.

62. The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of: booking future blocks of time at said negotiated rates.

63. The network of claim 61 wherein said calling party and said communications service provider negotiate rates via an interactive computer network node.

64. The network of claim 63 wherein said interactive computer network node is an internet website. 25

65. A method for scheduling teleconferences in which a plurality of parties are able to participate simultaneously comprising the steps of: accessing an interactive node coupled to a computer network; exchanging desired teleconference parameters via said interactive node; and scheduling said teleconferences for a selected block of time.

66. The method of claim 65 further comprising the step of: exchanging rate information via said interactive node.

67. The method of claim 65 further comprising the step of: negotiating rate information for said teleconference using said desired parameters.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein said desired teleconference parameters include parameters chosen from the group consisting of: a teleconference duration; a teleconference start time; a number of teleconference participants; a billing rate for a capability of individual participants to transmit communications during said teleconference; a capability of individual participants to receive communications during said teleconference; and a manner of connecting individual participants to said teleconference.

69. The method of claim 65 wherein said computer network is an internet and said interactive node is an internet website.