Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely obtaining an optical power level in a PON network is provided. An Element Management System (EMS) transmits a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) request message to retrieve an optical power level from an Optical Network Unit (ONU). After receiving the SNMP request message, an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) sends an optical power level request frame to the ONU. The ONU responds to the request with an optical power level response frame having an expected bit pattern that is used by an optics block in the OLT to calculate the upstream optical power level. The OLT sends the calculated level to the EMS in a SNMP response message.