LEC stands for Local Exchange Carrier. It is a term used in the U.S. telecommunications industry to describe the local telephone company.
Key Points about LEC:
- Definition: A Local Exchange Carrier is a regulatory term for local telephone companies that provide services within a specified geographic area, often defined by a particular exchange.
- Origins: The term originated following the breakup of the Bell System in the 1980s, which led to the creation of seven regional Bell operating companies (often referred to as “Baby Bells”).
- Types of LECs:
- ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier): These are the original, traditional telephone companies. As “incumbents,” they were the established local service providers before the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which opened up the market to competition.
- CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier): These are the new entrants that started providing local telephone services after the market was deregulated. They compete with ILECs and often lease network elements from the ILECs to provide their services.
- Services: LECs are responsible for providing local telephone services, including voice services and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) internet services. They may also connect calls to long-distance companies for routing to their final destination.
- Regulation: The services, rates, and practices of LECs are typically regulated by state public utilities commissions.
- Connection to Larger Networks: LECs often connect to larger telecommunication networks, allowing for both local and long-distance calling. They have the infrastructure (like telephone lines, switches, and exchanges) that directly services customers.
In essence, a Local Exchange Carrier is any company that provides local telephone services. The distinction between ILECs and CLECs is mainly about the history and establishment of the company in the telecommunications market.