Patent ID: 8315372

Claim:
A unified call centre system for multiple service providers comprising: at least one server; at least one database in communication with the at least one server, where, a service provider executes computer-executable instructions stored on the at least one server, which cause the system to register an account, the registration process requiring the service provider to enter a predetermined set of information, including at least one identifier for an electronic voice communication device, an additional identifier for an electronic communication device (voice or text) and a personal identifier, and where, after entry of the predetermined set of information, the computer-executable instructions cause the system to generate a unique identifier for the account and communicates the unique identifier and a return destination address for activating the account, the service provider then operable to activate the account by storing the predetermined set of information in the at least one database and communicating the personal identifier of the service provider to the return destination address using the electronic communication device such that, when a caller calls the unified call centre system and communicates the unique identifier of the service provider to the unified call centre system, the unified call centre system references the predetermined set of information, verifies one or more time periods during which the service provider is able to take calls, and operates to establish a call with the service provider by way of one of the at least one electronic voice communication devices and, if able to establish said call, link the caller through to the service provider, where the caller being required to make a payment of an appropriate charge set by the service provider on termination of the linked call, and where, when a method of payment designated by the caller is by mobile phone credit, the unified call centre system includes a credit exchange system to equate a credit or air-time of the caller's telecommunication carrier with a credit or air-time of the service provider's telecommunication carrier.