Abstract: A cable modem supports two-way packet-switched traffic and is capable of telephony-type signaling to provide local telephone services over a two-way HFC cable network. The telephony-type signaling is transmitted using the TCP/IP protocol over an HFC distribution plant. This telephony-type signaling includes representations of “off-hook,” “on-hook,” etc. At the customer's premises, the telephony cable modem takes any one of a number of forms. For example, the telephony cable modem comprises terminal equipment ports for coupling to both data terminal equipment such as a personal computer and voice terminal equipment such as a POTS telephone. Alternatively, the telephony cable modem includes POTS functionality and comprises a handset and keypad for dialing. As yet another example, the telephony cable modem includes a terminal equipment port for coupling to data terminal equipment that also functions as a telephone, such as a personal computer equipped with a microphone and speakers.

Abstract: An alternate access platform is coupled to the Internet, a local-exchange-carrier (LEC), and other communications facilities such as a plurality of long-distance facilities provided by any one of a number of long distance carriers. Access to the alternate access platform occurs in any one of a number of ways. For example, a user, or calling party, establishes an Internet connection to the alternate access platform, or dials into the alternate access platform via a local plain-old-telephone-service (POTS) call. Independent of the access method, the alternate access platform selects a communications facility for routing the call as a function of a “call profile” associated with the calling party. This “call profile” uses any one of a number of parameters to determine routing such as called party, cost, quality, reliability, time-of-day, etc. This “call profile” is either determined by the user on a call-by-call basis, or is separately administered by the user.