Abstract: A centrally located stage of a time division multiplex switching network is partitioned into blocks and a separate processor is provided to control each such block. The partition is extended to the edge of the network by having each partition processor control through the network both the network equipment in adjacent stages directly coupled to the controlled block, and a preassigned portion of the remainder of the network out to the edge thereof which can be reached either through such controlled equipment or through similar equipment of other partitions. In addition, translating, scanning, and service functions are advantageously separated out of the partitioned processors and performed by separate processors that communicate through the call switching network with the partition processors and/or the network-edge ports.