What is tandem switching primarily used for?

Tandem switching is primarily used to interconnect end offices when direct trunking isn't economically justified. This process involves routing calls through a tandem switch, which serves as an intermediary point that connects various local exchanges.

Using tandem switching is especially advantageous in situations where establishing direct trunks between every pair of end offices would be cost-prohibitive. By employing tandem switches, telecommunications providers can effectively manage multiple interconnections and optimize their infrastructure costs, ensuring that calls can still be routed between different end offices without requiring an extensive direct connection for each.

This method enhances efficiency in the network and makes it financially viable to maintain communication across a broader area while minimizing the expense associated with direct trunking.