Method and apparatus for detecting and reporting a defective telecommunications line

摘要

A system for detecting and reporting a defect in a telephone line includes a network of utility processors that communicate over a power line. Each utility processor monitors a telephone line connected to the processor. The utility processor includes a processing element, a line sensor, a telephone interface and a power line communication interface. Each utility processor reports a defect in the telephone line by sending message to a second utility processor via the power line. The second utility processor reports the defect to a central office via a telephone line.