Provision of telecommunication services

A telecommunications or data network including a node for providing a plurality of telecommunications or data services to a plurality of subscribers, the network comprising:

• a device configured to switch-in and switch-off telecommunications to a plurality of subscribers, the device comprising:
• a plurality of switching devices, each switching device comprising:
• a crossover matrix comprising crossover switching elements configured to switch connections within the crossover matrix, the crossover matrix connected to a main cable and a distribution cable;
• a first distribution matrix comprising distribution switching elements configured to switch connections within the first distribution matrix, the first distribution matrix connected to the crossover matrix;
• a second distribution matrix comprising distribution switching elements configured to switch connections within the second distribution matrix, the second distribution matrix connected to the crossover matrix;
• wherein the crossover switching elements and distribution switching elements are configured to be controlled from a remote location;
• wherein the first and second distribution matrices are configured to connect to a node that provides a plurality of telecommunications or data services;
• and
• wherein the first distribution matrix from a first switching device is connected to at least one second distribution matrix of the plurality of switching devices.

A method of operating a telecommunications or data network in which a node provides a plurality of telecommunications or data services to a plurality of subscribers, the method comprising:

• connecting a plurality of subscriber lines to the network by a crossover matrix having a plurality of crossover switching elements;
• receiving a request to add or modify a service to a subscriber line;
• remotely controlling a crossover switching element associated with the subscriber line to electrically switch the subscriber line on a subscriber cable side of the crossover matrix to a second distribution matrix, and to electrically switch a main cable side of the crossover matrix to a first distribution matrix;
• and
• remotely controlling distribution switching elements disposed in the first and second distribution matrices to switch the subscriber line to the outputs of the first and second distribution matrices.

A method of operating a telecommunications or data network having a node that provides a plurality of telecommunications or data services to a plurality of users, and wherein a plurality of subscriber lines connect to the network through a crossover matrix, the method comprising:

• switching a subscriber line connected to a first crossover switching element of the crossover matrix to a second distribution matrix;
• switching the subscriber line at the second distribution matrix to an output port directly connected to the first distribution matrix;
• switching the subscriber line at the first distribution matrix to a second crossover switching element of the crossover matrix;
• switching the subscriber line at a second crossover switching element of the crossover matrix to the second distribution matrix;
• switching the subscriber line at the second distribution matrix to an output connected to the node that provides the requested services.