When a 323 EndPoint calls an POTS Gateway, the gateway may want to answer and open an audio channel so it can start sending IVR's (such as "Please wait while xxx" or "Thank you for calling the XXX gateway"). Such a call has not yet begun to be billed, as the remote endpoint has not been reached - we are still in the signaling stage. The user will get very angry at the end of the month if he/she gets billed for all the un answered/uncompleted calles he/she made... I do agree that this can also be achieved by exactly documenting the ability to complete 245 negotiation first, and only then send (at some future time, when the POTS phone picks up) the Connect message. Gur Kimchi VocalTec Communications Ltd gur@vocaltec.com