VoIP verification is initiated by subscriber-side test VoIP appliance, or VoIP proxy agent. Test VoIP appliance is coupled to test node over a communications internetwork by upstream and downstream datapaths. VoIP verification request is transmitted to test node. Responsively, test node transmits VoIP verification signal to test VoIP appliance. Perceivable indication of verification signal received by VoIP appliance is effected by visual display, audible indication, or both. Operational state verifier apparatus is disposed in a digital telephony device, a computer terminal, or with an ATA interface coupled to analog telephony device used in VoIP communications system.