a system and method for controlling a peer - to - peer , unmoderated conference call , which allows a non - talking conferee to send an in - band interrupt request signal which is detected by the conference bridge , which automatically determines which conferee is currently talking , and continuously sends an alert signal to the talking conferee , but prevents transmission of alert signal and interrupt request signal to all other , non - speaking conferees . when the talking conferee quits talking , or acknowledges the interrupt request , or a timeout occurs , alert signal is discontinued , and the request conferee may speak . optionally , after a timeout occurs , the voice of the currently speaking conferee is removed from the conference summation , effectively muting the non - yielding conferee .