An application for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems. The application includes a module for the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device as the voice media is created. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting live communication of the voice media, a transmit module transmits the voice media out of storage at or below the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the storage of transmitted media provides the ability to extend the useful range and/or capacity of the network when conditions on the network otherwise make live communication impossible or impractical.