Provision of telecommunication services

A telecommunications network comprising:

• a broadband communications network to provide at least one data service;
• and
• an apparatus to provide telecommunication and data services to a plurality of subscribers, the apparatus comprising:
• a crossover matrix comprising a plurality of crossover switching elements, and configured to be connected to a main cable and to a distribution cable;
• a first distribution matrix connected to the crossover matrix;
• a second distribution matrix connected to the crossover matrix;
• a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM);
• wherein the plurality of crossover switching elements in the crossover matrix and a plurality of distribution switching elements in the first and second distribution matrices are configured to be controlled remotely;
• and
• a splitter to combine or separate a low frequency voice signal and a high frequency data signal, and configured to:
• add data services to a subscriber line by switching the subscriber line from the crossover matrix to the first distribution matrix, and from the first distribution matrix to the second distribution matrix via the splitter, and from the second distribution matrix back to the crossover matrix;
• and
• receive the high frequency data signal from the DSLAM.

A method of operating a telecommunications network in which a broadband network provides at least one data service, and wherein a plurality of subscriber lines are connected to the broadband network through a crossover matrix including a plurality of 2×2 crossover switching elements that, responsive to a request, adds a data service to the subscriber line, the method comprising:

• controlling a crossover switching element associated with a subscriber line to electrically switch the subscriber line on a subscriber cable side of the crossover matrix to a second distribution matrix, and a main cable side of the crossover matrix to a first distribution matrix;
• controlling the first and second distribution matrices to switch the subscriber line to respective ports that are connected to a splitter that receives a low frequency voice signal and a high frequency data signal;
• combining the low frequency voice signal with the high frequency data signal received from DSLAM,
• receiving control signals from a remote location at the crossover switching elements of the crossover matrix, and at the distribution switching elements of the first and second distribution matrices.