Many large organizations connect offices located in different countries using leased lines, public carriers, satellites, and other long-haul technologies. What is this type of network called?

Introduction / Context:
Networks are categorized by geographic scope. When connectivity spans cities, countries, or continents and uses carrier infrastructure such as undersea cables, satellites, or MPLS backbones, it falls into a specific category that differs from short-range local connectivity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Multiple offices in different countries.
• Use of public carriers and long-distance media.
• Goal is continuous interconnection across large geographic areas.

Concept / Approach:
A Wide Area Network (WAN) interconnects sites over large distances. In contrast, a Local Area Network (LAN) covers a building or campus. “ECONET” and “EITHERNET” are distractors; “Ethernet” is a LAN technology, not a geographic category. WAN services historically included Frame Relay, ATM, leased lines, and now carrier Ethernet and SD-WAN overlays.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the geographic scope: multi-country.Map to category: WAN.Eliminate unrelated or misspelled terms.

Verification / Alternative check:
Corporate networks often use site-to-site VPNs over the Internet or private carrier circuits; both are commonly described as WAN links connecting remote LANs.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
LAN: Too local; building or campus scale.

ECONET / EITHERNET: Not standard categories; distractors.

None of the above: Incorrect because WAN fits precisely.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating a specific technology (e.g., Ethernet) with a network type by scope; WAN is about reach, not a particular data link standard.

Final Answer:
WAN