Voice over ip customer premises equipment

Abstract

A system and method for increasing the cost effectiveness of a service provider in meeting the needs of the multiple dwelling unit (MDU) market. To reduce the cost of connectivity between a network unit and a customer premises in the MDU, customer premises equipment functionality is embedded in a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) phone.

1 . A communication network at a customer premises, comprising:
 a network unit that receives a signal from a line terminal, said network unit having an Ethernet port; and   a customer premises equipment having an Ethernet physical layer device that is coupled to said Ethernet port of said network unit using an Ethernet cable, said customer premises equipment including a handset for voice over Internet protocol communication that is delivered over said link, and a local area network port for connection of a customer device to said customer premises equipment.   
   
   
       2 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said customer premises equipment is a voice over Internet protocol phone. 
   
   
       3 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said customer device is a wireless access point. 
   
   
       4 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said customer device is a television. 
   
   
       5 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said customer device is a computer. 
   
   
       6 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said customer device is a high definition receiver. 
   
   
       7 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said local area network port is an Ethernet port. 
   
   
       8 . The communication network of  claim 1 , wherein said Ethernet physical layer device supports a link greater than 100 meters. 
   
   
       9 . A customer premises equipment, comprising:
 a broad reach Ethernet physical layer device designed to receive communication over a link greater than 100 meters;   a handset for voice over Internet protocol communication that is delivered over said link; and   a port for connection of a customer device to the customer premises equipment, wherein customer device communication is delivered over said link.   
   
   
       10 . The customer premises equipment of  claim 9 , wherein said customer device is a wireless access point. 
   
   
       11 . The customer premises equipment of  claim 9 , wherein said customer device is a television. 
   
   
       12 . The customer premises equipment of  claim 9 , wherein said customer device is a computer. 
   
   
       13 . The customer premises equipment of  claim 9 , wherein said customer device is a high definition receiver. 
   
   
       14 . The customer premises equipment of  claim 9 , wherein said port is an Ethernet port. 
   
   
       15 . A communication method using a customer premises equipment, comprising:
 receiving, in a customer premises equipment from an optical network unit, a first communication via an Ethernet link that is greater than 100 meters, said first communication including voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) traffic;   displaying audio based on said VOIP traffic on a handset of said customer premises equipment; and   transmitting, to a customer device by said customer premises equipment, a second communication through a local area network port on said customer premises equipment, said second communication including data received in said first communication.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting to a wireless access point. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting to a television. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting to a computer. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting to a high definition receiver. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting through an Ethernet port.