Abstract: There is described a method of operating a fault management system for an access network which forms part of a public telecommunications network. In the access network, terminating lines in the form of pairs of copper wires extend from a local switch through a series of nodes to terminal equipment provided for a use of the network. The fault management system includes a test head and an access network management system. Each night, the test head performs a series of tests on each of the terminating lines. The results of the tests are transmitted to the access network management system. The test results are then converted into circuit scores, each of which are indicative of the operational quality of the tested circuit. For each node, the circuit scores of the tested circuits passing through the node are combined to produce a node score which is indicative of the operational quality of the node.