Abstract: A communications system (30) enables two communications devices (10, 12) to communicate with each other over an extended distance using a limited range communication protocol, such as the IrDA or Bluetooth protocol. The communications system includes a pair of repeaters (32, 34), each having a protocol stack (38) that includes a portion of the limited range communications protocol. The repeaters communicate with each other over an extended range communications channel (36) such as the PSTN, while each communications device utilizes its native, limited range communications technique to communicate with an associated repeater. Thus, each communications device can readily communicate with another like device using its native protocol over a distance otherwise beyond the range of that technique.