A digital wideband node (DWN) (28, 48) is coupled to a remote terminal
(RT) (22, 42) that in turn is coupled to a subscriber's telephone line
(26, 46). The DWN (28, 48) is configured to (1) pass a subscriber's
telephone number signal directly to the RT (22, 42) whereupon a test path
(25, 45) is formed with the subscriber's telephone line (26, 46), (2)
pass POTS test signals directly to the RT (22, 42) for testing the
subscriber's telephone line (26, 46) via the test path (25, 45) and (3)
process wideband test control signals into wideband test signals which
are conveyed to the RT (22, 42) for wideband testing of the subscriber's
telephone line (26, 46) via the test path (25, 45).