Patent ID: 7209551

Claim:
A method of activating a messaging service, comprising: receiving a request for a messaging service from a subscriber at an order center, the order center placing a service order with a telephone entity element and with a messaging entity element; providing messaging service to the subscriber using a messaging system, the messaging system operated by the messaging entity and the messaging service including providing the subscriber access to stored voice mail and electronic mail messages; and sending a billing statement from the telephone entity to the subscriber, the billing statement including charges related to the messaging service provided by the messaging entity; wherein the messaging system includes: a centralized Internet Protocol switching network; an Internet access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a first communication link, the first communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system; a voice access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a second communication link, the second communication link comprising a second internal link within the messaging system; a mail subsystem coupled to the Internet Protocol switching network via a third communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system; and a storage subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol Switching network.