A system and method for protection switching in a transmission network is described. A protection switching mechanism comprises a multiplexer, a transmission path for each output of the multiplexer and a remote circuit. The multiplexer has an input coupled to receive an input signal and a plurality of outputs to output a plurality of output signals. Each transmission path is coupled to receive an associated output signal from the multiplexer. The transmission paths further include one or more redundant transmission paths, wherein signals directed to a faulty transmission path are redirected to an associated redundant transmission path. The remote circuit is used to selectively switch a redundant transmission path for a faulty transmission path at a subscriber.