Which description best fits the copper cabling used to connect homes and businesses to the nearest CO?

The description "Local Loops" best fits the copper cabling used to connect homes and businesses to the nearest Central Office (CO). The local loop refers to the last mile of connection that directly links an individual customer's premise to the telecommunications carrier's network. This segment is typically composed of copper cabling, which facilitates standard telephone services, DSL internet, and other data services.

The local loop plays a crucial role in providing access to various telecommunications services and is pivotal in defining the subscriber's connection to the broader network. This infrastructure ensures that communications are maintained effectively over the copper lines directly into residences and business facilities.

In contrast, trunk lines refer to high-capacity links that carry extensive data traffic between central locations; feeder cables connect local loops to distribution points; and drop lines specifically refer to the final segment of the connection that runs from the network or pole to a customer’s premises, which is a smaller portion of the overall concept of local loops. Hence, "Local Loops" accurately captures the essence of what connects homes and businesses to the nearest CO.