A Class 5 office connects individual subscribers to the telephone network and is also referred to as:

A Class 5 office is specifically designed to connect individual subscribers directly to the telephone network, making it essential for providing local telephone service. This type of office acts as a point of connection where subscribers can access the broader telecommunication network, facilitating local calling and often additional services such as high-speed internet.

The term "end office" aptly describes the function of a Class 5 office, as it represents the last point of switching before calls reach the user. In this context, it is integral to the local exchange and plays a crucial role in telecommunication infrastructure by handling traffic for residential and small business customers.

Connecting this understanding to the other terms, a Class 4 office is typically focused on switching calls between different geographic areas rather than directly serving the end users, while a central office is a more general term that can refer to any telephone exchange facility. Finally, the term "local office" might be used in informal settings but does not specifically denote the function or classification of a Class 5 office.