Abstract: A telecommunications system which employs commodity simultaneous voice and data (SVD) modems to provide a user with a virtual presence to an office. A first telephony adapter is coupled between a user's home modem and a telephone. A second telephony adapter is coupled between a server modem and the PSTN. The modem data ports are coupled to the PSTN. The first adapter emulates a Central Office (CO) by ringing the telephone, detecting on and off hook conditions from the telephone and supplying line power to the telephone. The first adapter emulates a telephone to the modem voice port by detecting ringing voltages and generating on and off hook conditions. The second adapter emulates a telephone to the PSTN and emulates a telephone to the server modem voice port. The modems establish a connection which enables the user to access a LAN in the office. The home telephone number is forwarded to the server modem and when a call is placed to the user, the call is forwarded by the PSTN to the server adapter.