Core network

A core network, or network core, is the central part of a telecommunications network that provides various services to customers who are connected by the access network. One of the main functions is to route telephone calls across the PSTN.

Typically the term refers to the high capacity communication facilities that connect primary nodes. Core/backbone network provides paths for the exchange of information between different sub-networks. For enterprise private networks serving one organization, the term backbone is more used, while for service providers, the term core network is more used.