Method of providing message service for pinless limited access

Abstract

The present invention method provides a limited access massage service to a plurality of end-users and uses existing telecommunication lines with a switching network and a computerized central switching station to establish a billing system for sponsors and to form an account for each sponsor purchasing subsequent usage relating to at least one third party telephone number, the usage being based on a predetermined bulk rate for consumption of user time over a preset time period. It also includes distributing a user unit to each of a plurality of end users for calling the at least one third party telephone number. Each end-user is given the third party telephone number, and must provide to the system at least one unique identification number. In connection with the billing system, the computerized central switching station is programmed to permit a call of a preset message limit to be made by each end user to the third party phone number provided, based on the distributed user unit, accessed only by the end user providing to the computerized central switching station a unique identification number. In response to an end user calling the third party telephone number, a predetermined message is provided with a preset limit, the call is terminated and an appropriate time amount is charged to the account of the sponsor. The messages record of each consumed user unit is captured by the system and may be used by the sponsor for database marketing.