Abstract: A communications network having a plurality of distributed offices includes a test center at a central location for testing line and/or trunk circuits (`links`) throughout the communication network. The links are selectively coupled to a maintenance port of a selected office and are backhauled from the maintenance port to the test center via a shared network serving a plurality of offices of the communications network. The shared backhaul network may use optical fibers connecting the offices to the test center or a SONET fiber optic ring. The test center includes a switch and test devices, such as digital test devices, optical test devices and protocol analyzers. The test center includes or is in communication with a central controller and one or more associated maintenance and operation consoles (MOCs).