Telephone outlet for implementing a local area network over telephone lines and a local area network using such outlets

An outlet for coupling at least one data unit to digital data carried over in-wall wiring having one or more twisted wire pairs that simultaneously carry a bi-directional packet-based serial digital data signal and a power signal over same conductors, and the outlet comprising:

• a wiring connector for connecting to the in-wall wiring;
• a first transceiver coupled to said wiring connector and operative for transmitting and receiving bi-directional packet-based serial digital data over said in-wall wiring;
• a first data port coupled to said first transceiver for bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication with one or more data units;
• a multipart device consisting of one of a repeater, a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled between said first transceiver and said first data port for passing data bi-directionally between said one or more data units and said in-wall wiring;
• and
• a single enclosure housing said first transceiver, said wiring connector, said multipart device and said first data port,
• wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard wall outlet receptacle or wall outlet opening, and wherein said first transceiver and said multiport device are coupled to said wiring connector to be powered from said power signal.