A device for testing a data carrying service operating over a
telecommunications line includes a plurality of test circuits. Each test
circuit is arranged to determine and test one or more characteristics of
a data carrying service and a termination of the telecommunications line
is emulated. The operation of each of the plurality of test circuits is
controlled, and the telecommunications lines is connected to one or more
of the plurality of test circuits. The data carrying service remains
connected via a connection during all of the testing operations provided
by one or more of the test circuits which enables the device to
automatically determine the identity of the data carrying service. The
test circuits may be arranged to enable emulation of a termination to be
interconnected so as to enable the device to provide a passive link in
the data carrying service and/or provide throughput testing of the
telecommunications line.