The present invention relates to a method for localizing a defect in a
in-house access plant operable to carry broadband communication
services.A method according to the invention further comprises the steps
of: instructing a user of said in-house access plant to manipulate
in-house equipment through an automated and interactive communication
session, determining timing information for each manipulation that is
carried out, performing remote quality measurements over said in-house
access plant while said in-house equipment are being manipulated,
identifying from said timing information a particular manipulation that
is time-correlated with a substantial change in measured quality, thereby
identifying a particular piece of in-house equipment that has been
manipulated and in the neighborhood of which said defect is located. The
present invention also relates to an analysis tool such as a network
analyzer, a communication unit such an intelligent voice responder or a
web server, and to a diagnostic system.