What is another name for a Central Office (CO)?

A Central Office (CO) is primarily referred to as a Local Exchange. This term emphasizes the role of the CO as a local switching facility where telephone calls are routed. Local Exchanges handle communication traffic within a specific area, servicing local customers and connecting them to the rest of the telecommunications network. By designating it as a Local Exchange, it underscores the CO's function in managing local calls and services, which is central to the operation of telecommunication services in residential and business settings.

In contrast, other terms such as Regional center, Service provider, and Data center do not accurately match the specific functions and attributes associated with a Central Office. A Regional center might refer to broader geographic service areas, a Service provider encompasses any company offering telecommunications services (including COs), and a Data center generally relates to facilities utilized for computing and data storage rather than voice communication specifically. Thus, Local Exchange is the most precise synonym for Central Office, reflecting its operational role effectively.