Modern Phone: Internet Telephony!

If you really need to take that next tech step let me introduce you to "Skype".

Yes, you can talk for free over the internet and with very good quality sound. It has video as well as conference call options. And the best element is for a few bucks you can call phone lines! It is cheaper than the phone company. Another option is Vonage who do advertise, a crummy commercial, on TV. A new service which is open source and thus free is Asterisk. Here's an expalination on how to install the later: Systm.

BUT... Check out Skype, I think you might be pleased.