A wide area communications network or simply a communications network is includes a broadband communication line having a first voice channel and a second voice channel, wherein the first and second voice channels are derived channels. The communications network further includes a residential gateway in communication with the broadband communication line. The residential gateway includes a network switch, a network interface device in communication with the network switch wherein the network switch is configured to select at least one of the first or second voice channels for voice communication over the broadband communication line.