Abstract: A bimodal portable telephone provides cellular service and improved cordless service in a common handset. Operation of the bimodal portable telephone in a cellular telephone system provides telephone service over a wide geographical area of coverage through operation with multiple cellular bases and in a cordless telephone system provides telephone service over a localized geographical area of coverage through operation with an associated cordless base. The cordless service provides improved performance over convention cordless telephone service by advantageously employing a frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation technique for communications between the portable telephone and the cordless base unit. This improved performance achieves increased operating range of the cordless telephone system.