A system and apparatus includes a premises phone connected to a phone network along a first communication channel. A dial tone controller generates within the premises a dial tone along a second communication channel to a switch and to the premises phone. The dial tone controller receives and processes signals received from the premises phone via the switch along the second communication channel and can generate DTMF tones for establishing communication to the phone network based on generated signals received from the premises phone. The switch is operatively connected between the premises phone and the dial tone controller for switching the premises phone from communication with the phone network along the first communication channel and communication with the dial tone controller via the switch along the second communication channel so that the premises phone receives a dial tone from and sends signals to the dial tone controller.