A method and apparatus for enabling a user to remotely select which communications device to use for a particular communications session from among a plurality of communication devices connected to standard residential telephone wiring. The user enters a predetermined signal from any of the devices connected to the residential wiring. The method of the present invention analyzes the signal and, depending on the state of a number of variables related to cost effective operation, selects which of the devices is the most economical for a particular communications session.