---
title: "Telephone Exchange Opens in New Haven"
year: 1878
country: "United States"
canonical: "https://recap.at/1878/first-telephone-exchange"
slug: "first-telephone-exchange"
recapType: "global_event"
startDate: "1878-01-01"
---

# Telephone Exchange Opens in New Haven

> The world's first commercial telephone exchange launched automated switching technology and modern telecommunications infrastructure.

## Summary

A telephone exchange, telephone switch, or central office is a central component of a telecommunications system in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or in large enterprises. It facilitates the establishment of communication circuits, enabling telephone calls between subscribers. The term "central office" can also refer to a central location for fiber optic equipment for a fiber internet provider.

## Sources

- [Telephone exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_exchange) - Wikipedia

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Canonical: https://recap.at/1878/first-telephone-exchange