Internet call waiting with voice mail system that provides monitoring during recording

An Internet Call Waiting (ICW) service provides single-line subscribers ( 100 ) connected to the Internet with incoming call information, call screening and voice messaging capabilities. An incoming call is terminated at an ICW server ( 154 ). The caller is prompted to leave a voice message and the voice message is relayed in real-time over the Internet connection ( 138 ) to permit the subscriber to monitor the message. The subscriber can choose to answer the call at any time before the caller disconnects. Subscriber profile options specify how calls are treated. Calls may be forwarded to a second directory number, directed to a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) connection, or the Internet connection may be dropped and the call completed to the subscriber's directory number. The subscriber benefits from being able to screen voice messages in real-time, which assists the subscriber in determining how the call should be terminated.