A multimode cordless telephone system that can be used for remote video monitoring. The system includes a base station, at least one camera that is in wireless communication, at least periodically, with the base station, and a cordless handset, having a viewing screen, also in wireless communication, at least periodically, with the base station, the cordless handset having a first mode that is operable when the cordless handset is within a predetermined range of the base station wherein the cordless handset operates in conjunction with the base station to provide telephonic communication and image monitoring of images captured by the cameras, and a second mode that is operable when the cordless handset is beyond the predetermined range of the base station wherein the cordless handset communicates with the base station over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to monitor images captured by the cameras.