Access Network
The access network evolved from the telephone network. A few years ago, the telephone required a copper pair that was connected to an exchange. An exchange is a node that is located in a communications network. This technology required a lot of exchanges. In many countries, the connection density was very high, so that it was necessary to switch to controlling network elements. Colloquially, these controlling network elements are called access nodes and the exchanges are called service nodes. Today, the access network includes not only telephony, but also DSL technology, VDSL, mobile networks and the cable television network, which is also known colloquially as the broadband network.