Be sure to determine whether your company will pay for a second telephone line to your home for business uses. Either way, a second line is far more efficient than using your home's existing line for all purposes. Also, it's not a good idea to rely on a single line for personal and business uses. This can lead to confusion, especially when the long-distance bills arrive. If possible, install a second line and have the phone company bill your employer directly for its charges.
Fax machines are handy, but they take up space and eat up a phone line.
If you need to fax a document with your signature, scan it first, and then fax it. Look for a combination of value and features. Communications costs are an enormous expense for businesses today. Whenever possible, try to get the best value for your company. For example, instead of getting a second phone line for voice and a cable modem connection for data, check into ISDN or DSL service that enable you to transmit voice, fax, and data via a single line simultaneously.