Telecommunication networks that connect an organization with its external customers and suppliers are best described as which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
Organizations increasingly integrate information systems with external stakeholders. The term for a private, controlled network that extends a company’s internal services to partners, suppliers, and customers is a foundational concept in enterprise networking strategy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Focus is on connections that cross organizational boundaries.
• Security, access control, and selective sharing are important.
• The solution complements, not replaces, the internal intranet.

Concept / Approach:

An extranet is an extension of an intranet that provides authorized external entities with secure access to selected internal resources. This is commonly implemented with VPNs, identity federation, and web portals, enabling collaboration such as order tracking, inventory visibility, and joint project work.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Industry practice shows business-to-business portals branded as partner extranets, confirming the terminology.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Bandwidth alternatives: Refers to capacity choices, not inter-organizational connectivity.

Switching alternating: Not a standard term.

Inter organizational networks: Generic phrase, but the precise, widely used term is 'extranet.'

None of the above: Incorrect because 'Extranets' is correct.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing extranets with the public Internet (open access) or with intranets (internal only). Extranets are private, controlled extensions to specific outside entities.

Final Answer:

Extranets