A telecommunications system (10) includes a first cross-connect switch (12) and a second cross-connect switch (14). The first cross-connect switch (12) includes a switching matrix that provides information from a matrix connection to a selector (28) of an output interface (18). The selector (28) places the information from the switching matrix onto one or both of a working channel (24) and a protection channel (26). The second cross-connect switch (14) receives the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26) at an input interface (20). The input interface (20) includes a selector (30) that checks a signal quality of the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26). When necessary, the selector (30) sends a request to the selector (28) to bridge the working channel (24) onto the protection channel (26). According to the signal quality, the selector (30) selects one of the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26) for transfer to a switching matrix (22) of the second cross-connect switch (14). The selector (30) avoids creating and deleting matrix connections in the switching matrix (22) in performing protection switches between the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26).