A system and method for extending the time period at which a response signal can be received before a time-out occurs without altering the length of the time-out period defined in any transmission protocol, ensuring that the two faxes communicate using one of a predefined, e.g., standard, set of transmission protocols, and/or ensuring that the two faxes communicate using one of a predefined set of signal modulation techniques. The present invention receives signals transmitted from a local fax and transmits these signals to a remote fax. Similarly, the present invention receives signals transmitted from the remote fax and transmits these signals to the local fax. The present invention examines the contents of the signals and can modify the signal transmitted to the local fax in order to ensure that the two faxes communicate using a transmission protocol that is supported by the present invention and to ensure that the two faxes communicate using a signal modulation technique that is supported by the present invention.