Abstract: A communication (comm) apparatus coupled to a telephone (tel) line comprises a base having a tel portion, a fax portion including a fax modem, a first switch for switching the mode between fax and tel, and a first wireless comm portion, and at least a cordless unit having a second wireless comm portion for communicating with the base, and a second fax portion including a recording/reading portion. The cordless unit may further comprise a second tel portion and a second switch for switching the mode between fax and tel wherein the base can change the second switch to the other mode if necessary. A cordless phone may be further provided. In response to a fax call, the base holds the line but the cordless unit does the fax procedure and if there is no response from the cordless unit within a given interval, the line is disconnected wherein each of cordless unit responds with a different delay time to have a priority. During facsimile comm, an erroneous on-hook is neglected.