Systems and methods are provided for operating an intercom system using a wireless access point. A codec is selected (501) from a plurality of available codecs. In some implementations, the available codecs present a tradeoff between audio quality and intercom device capacity. The access point operates (505) using the selected codec and, in response to detecting a new intercom device connecting to the intercom system (507) through the access point, the access point transmits a signal to the new intercom device identifying the selected codec. In response to a determination that the new intercom device does not have the selected codec stored in its memory, the access point automatically uploads (515) the codec to the new intercom device and transmits communications with the intercom device - including, for example, audio stream data - using the selected codec.