Universal voice/fax/modem line over compressed media

An apparatus and method for selectively compressing information to be transmitted over a communications network includes an analog line monitor connected to an analog telephone and an analog data communications device. The analog line monitor is configured for detection of carrier tone signals associated with data transmissions. An analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog (AD/DA) converter is connected to the analog line monitor to convert the information contained in transmissions from the analog telephone and the analog data communications device from an analog format to a digital format. Optionally, the AD/DA circuitry is configured for demodulating data prior to transmission over the network. Compression circuitry is responsive to detection of a carrier tone signal by the analog line monitor, such that detection of a carrier tone signal suppresses compression of data transmitted by the data communications device. A transmitting device is connected to the AD/DA converter and to the compression circuitry to transmit information generated by the analog telephone and the analog data communications device to a remotely located communications device. A preferred embodiment includes a digital line monitor connected to a digital communications device. Decompression circuitry is connected to the digital line monitor to decompress information transmitted by the digital communications device. A signaling information extractor is connected to the decompression circuitry to extract signaling information from the decompressed digital information. The transmitting device transmits the information received by the digital line monitor.