A telecommunication system and method are disclosed for employing a directory service or voicemail retrieval service over a telecommunication network. The telecommunication system includes a telecommunication device having a display for viewing textual information, the telecommunication device being connected to a digital subscriber line (DSL) telephone network. A database application includes directory information, and the database application is remotely disposed relative to the telecommunication device. A mechanism is coupled to the telecommunication device such that when the mechanism is activated, a user is provided with access, through the DSL network, to directory information on the data base application. The directory information is provided to the display of the telecommunication device in response to user entered information.