Abstract: A time division switching system having distributed control processors is disclosed. The distributed processors exchange control messages and cooperate in the completion of talking paths between subscribers. Each control message includes an address portion defining the destination for the control message and is transmitted to a time-shared space division switch on the same time multiplex lines that speech representations are transmitted. Control messages are routed by the time-shared space division switch to a control distribution unit where the address portion is interpreted. When the address portion defines a distributed processor which controls the time-shared space division switch, the control distribution unit transmits the associated control message directly to that processor. Alternatively, when the address portion defines one of the other distributed processors the control distribution unit transmits the associated control message to the defined processor via the time-shared space division switch.