CO Hear it!

CO definition - telecom
  1. A local telephone company office that provides a central point for the termination of lines and trunks, and where they can be interconnected, i.e., connections can be exchanged. An integral part of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a CO traditionally houses one or more voice-optimized circuit switches to interconnect subscriber lines within a local area known as the carrier serving area (CSA) and to connect subscriber local loops to network trunks.A contemporary CO may also house a variety of voice and data switches, multiplexers, concentrators, and so on. Synonymous with central office exchange (COE), Class 5 office, end office, and local exchange. See also CSA and PSTN.
  2. The CO switch, rather than the building that houses it. Synonymous with Class 5 switch, edge switch, end office, and local exchange.

Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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