SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY RETRIEVING COMMUNICATIONS FROM ANY SELECTED LOCATION

A communication system operative to retrieve communications from a plurality of calling parties by a called party at a plurality of selected secondary party locations, each having a corresponding Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device and a communication address. The system includes a switch which is provided in electrical communication with the calling party CPE devices and secondary party CPE devices. The system may be adapted for use in both Advanced Intelligent Networks (AINs) and non-AIN arrangements. The system may similarly be provided with Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) architecture or, in specified AIN arrangements, with advanced functionality controlled by a properly interfaced Service Control Point (SCP). The system is operative to place the incoming communication on queue while notifying the secondary party, i.e., the intended recipient, of the communication. This notification may be provided through a dedicated land-line or through a wireless communication network such as a cellular telephone system. Upon notification, the communication system provides for identification means which may include, for example, a log-in number unique to the secondary party which must be entered to retrieve the incoming communication.