Telephone wires are insulated copper or fiber optic cables that transmit voice and data signals over long distances. They connect homes and businesses to the telephone network, allowing people to communicate with each other. The wires are typically strung on utility poles or buried underground. These wires work by carrying electrical signals that represent sound waves. When someone speaks into a telephone, their voice is converted into electrical signals, which travel through the wires to the receiver's phone. This technology has evolved over time, with fiber optic cables offering faster and more reliable connections compared to traditional copper wires.