Abstract: A telecommunications network (1) with a switching unit (2, 2', 2") to which at least one telecommunications terminal (3, 3', 3") is connected and which can be operated and maintained from a distance by a host computer (4) via a data link is characterized in that the switching unit (2, 2', 2") has a connection data computer (5) connected thereto which continuously receives from the switching unit (2, 2', 2"), in real time, communication data of the network connections of the telecommunications terminals (3, 3', 3") connected to the switching unit (2, 2', 2") and routes said communication data to the central computer (4) upon request, and that via the switching unit (2, 2', 2") and an on-line data network (6), a bidirectional data link can be established between a telecommunications terminal (3, 3', 3") and the connection data computer (5) for retrieving communication data for the same or another telecommunications terminal (3, 3', 3") connected to the switching unit (2, 2', 2") and/or for requesting services f