A Public Switched Broadband Network (PSBN) and method of operation permits high-speed, broadband, simultaneous, bi-directional data transfer over the infrastructure of conventional public switched telephone network. In addition, the PSBN provides a high-speed broadband public switched network that utilizes a common data transmission protocol from a broadband or internet service provider, through inter-office facilities, through a serving central office and to the end user, thereby providing a substantially "flat" network and reducing latency problems associated with protocol conversions. Still further, the PSBN provides expanded capacity throughout the network without requiring the implementation of new infrastructure.