Abstract: In an integrated digital network with at least three nodes, A, B, and C, a call placed at node A to be transmitted through the network from node A to node B to node C, is compressed in multiple modes. In response to the path selected, the speech signal in node A is compressed in a first mode for transmission to node B. In node B, the speech signal is compressed in a second mode for transmission to node C, where the first and second modes involve dissimilar algorithms for compression of speech signals. At node C, the speech signal would again be adapted for supply to a receiving station. The system can accommodate as many modes of compression as desired.