Abstract We experimentally demonstrate an optical transmitter with embedded Auxiliary Management and Control Channel (AMCC) and in-service Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) data transmission in mobile fronthaul section of radio access networks. The concept is tested on a direct modulation analog radio over fiber system. The OTDR and AMCC signals are time-multiplexed without interfering with each other or affecting data transmission. The coexistence of the three functionalities is achieved through proper modulation index distribution across the AMCC/OTDR and LTE-A data signals.