What defines a circuit switched network?

A circuit-switched network is characterized by the establishment of a dedicated communication path between two endpoints for the duration of their conversation. This means that, before any communication can occur, a physical connection must be established. This connection remains reserved exclusively for the duration of the call or session, which ensures a consistent quality of service without interruption from other transmissions.

In contrast to packet-switched networks, which break data into packets and send them independently over potentially varying paths, circuit-switched networks require this initial setup, thereby guaranteeing a continuous channel. This model was historically utilized in traditional telephone systems, where a dedicated circuit was established for the entirety of the call. This aspect distinguishes circuit-switched networks from the other options that describe packet-based or non-dedicated communication methods.