Apparatus for providing a plurality of alternative telecommunications services to a plurality of users (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) of a telecommunications network (10) comprising a primary cross-connect (26) in communication with a node (12) of the network for supplying a first selected telecommunications service to the users (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), and a secondary cross-connect (28) in communication with the node (12) and the primary cross-connect (26). The primary cross-connect (26) is provided with switches (34). The switches (34) are operable from a remote location (36) to disconnect a selected user (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) from the telecommunications services, and the secondary cross-connect (28) is are operable from a remote location (36) to reconnect the selected user (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) to an alternative telecommunication service through the secondary cross-connect (28).