Abstract: A broadband telecommunication network (such as a cable television distribution system) includes a plurality of switching units (such as taps) controlling subscriber access to the network. The switching units are controlled from a central location (such as a head end) using minimal network transmission medium power. A repeating sequence of switching unit control messages is sent from the central location across the network. Each of the messages is addressed to an individual one of the switching units. Each switching unit is periodically powered up from a low power sleep state to a higher power operational wake state in synchronization with a corresponding one of the control messages being sent from the central location. After a switching unit's corresponding control message is processed, the switching unit is returned to the lower power sleep state.