Abstract: A merged voice and data communications system, comprises a TDM-based broadband backbone carrying packet data, a plurality of LAN segments interconnected via said broadband backbone, a plurality of telephone subsystems, each comprising a plurality of telephone circuits connected to a subsystem multiplexer, and a central telephone controller. Circuits are established to carry telephone traffic over said broadband backbone between the central controller and several subsystem multiplexers independently of the packet data. Telephone calls can be routed over the broadband backbone to any of the telephone circuits without interfering with the packet data and without requiring separate physical links.