Abstract: A multimode home telephone system includes a computer, a base unit, a wireless handset and a wireless headset. The computer is programmed with a “soft phone” program to make and receive VOIP calls via the Internet and couple them to and from the base through a USB connection. The base is also coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and is operable to effect full duplex communication via both the PSTN and the Internet. The base, in turn, is wirelessly coupled to the handset via the DECT/UPCS protocol, and the handset is wirelessly coupled to the headset via the Bluetooth protocol, such that the user can selectively place and receive telephone calls via any one of the Internet, the PSTN or an optional Bluetooth enabled cell phone. Optionally, a DECT/UPCS enabled headset can communicate directly with the base in addition to or in lieu of the Bluetooth enabled headset.