Abstract: A management system provides a remote access service to units of equipment at distributed locations of a communications network. For instance, it can provide automatic meter reading over a PSTN for utility companies. The management system initiates calls over the network to selected units, usually pre-determined, in response to call requests, and can provide considerable functionality such as authentication and batch processing of the request. Conflict with ordinary traffic on the network can be avoided by monitoring for ordinary traffic calls and clearing down any existing conflicting remote access calls or blocking any requested potentially conflicting remote access calls. Uncompleted or blocked remote access calls are automatically re-scheduled by the management system.