A Packet Loss and Jitter Simulator processes RTP packets coming through the MTA. Based on user input commands, the simulator drops or delays insertion of packets into the DSP portion of the MTA. Various modes that may be programmed include, but are not limited to, manual packet loss, fixed packet loss, random packet loss, manual jitter, fixed jitter, shift jitter, burst jitter, random jitter, and rolling jitter. All of these modes can be modified to simulate many real world conditions. The simulator typically operates on downstream packets, but can be used to provide similar functionality in the upstream direction.