Created by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a CLEC is a service provider that is in direct competition with an incumbent service provider. CLEC is often used as a general term for any competitor, but the term actually has legal implications. To become a CLEC, a service provider must be granted "CLEC status" by a state's Public Utilities Commission. In exchange for the time and money spent to gain CLEC status, the CLEC is entitled to co-locate its equipment in the incumbent's central office, which saves the CLEC considerable expense.
A local telephone company that competes with an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC).
A local exchange carrier (local telephone company) that competes outside its traditional operating territory or a "new" telephone company that competes for service in the same territory as an existing local exchange carrier using access to its wireline infrastructure.
A result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, CLEC is a term for the deregulated and competitive telecommunications environment. CLECs compete for local exchange service, long distance, international, Internet access, and entertainment (i.e. Cable TV and On Demand). They build their own local loops, as well as lease local loops from the ILEC (Incumbent LEC) at wholesale prices to resell to the end user.
A competitive access provider (see CAP) that also provides switched local telecommunications services.
Companies that compete on a selected basis for local exchange service, long-distance, international Internet access, and entertainment (i.e., cable TV).
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier competes with the local phone company. They may be resellers of a facilities-based or other provider or they may provide their own facilities.
A telephone company that competes with the larger incumbent phone carriers (ILECS) through leasing and reselling the ILEC service and/or creating services that use the ILECâ€(tm)s infrastructure. The Regional Bell Operating Companies are ILECs; local phone companies are frequently CLECs. Depending on the type of authority granted to a particular CLEC by the FCC and/or a State Public Service Commission, CLECs may build their own networks consisting of local communications “loops†in the community, (wired, or wireless). CLECs include PCS providers, Cable Providers (CATV), Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), Local Multipoint Distribution System Operators (LMDS), and power utilities.
In the United States, a CLEC is a company that competes with the already established local telephone business by providing its own facilities or through reselling. The term distinguishes new or potential competitors from established local exchange carriers (LECs) and arises from the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which was intended to promote competition among both long-distance and local phone service providers.
A telephone service company that provides local telephone service that competes with the ILECs.
A telecommunications company which competes with the previously-existing telephone company to provide local service.
A facilities-based provider of local exchange service, other than an ILEC.
CLECs can offer a variety of services such as local exchange, long distance, international, and Internet access. Depending on the type of authority granted to a particular CLEC by the FCC and/or a State Public Service Commission, CLECs may also build their own networks consisting of local loops, wired, or wireless. CLECs can also lease facilities from Incumbent LECs or other CLECs at wholesale rates for resale to end users. CLECs include PCS providers, Cable Providers (CATV), Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), Local Multipoint Distribution System Operators (LMDS), and power utilities.
A company that competes with the established local telephone company by providing its own network and switching. Such companies arose from the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which was intended to promote competition among both long-distance and local phone service providers. CLECs often provide various kinds of Internet connectivity and broadband services, usually in partnership with other providers.
A long distance carrier, cable company, or small start-up local exchange carrier that competes for business in a local telephone market. Many CLECs also offer Internet services.
Any company or person authorized to provide local exchange services in competition with an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier. A CLEC provides similar or identical telecommunications services to the ILEC.
A CLEC is a company providing local phone services in competition with the Bell operating companies or independent phone companies, which are generally referred to as Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs). A newer version of the CLECs are the DLECs, which are "Data Local Exchange Carriers," and provide competitive data services such as DSL.
A facilities based or a reseller of services provided by the Local Exchange Carrier.
See Local Exchange Carrier (LEC).
A U.S. telephone company that competes with the already established local telephone business by providing its own network and switching. The term distinguishes new or potential competitors from established local exchange carriers (LEC) that were providing local service when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was enacted.
An business authorized by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that can deliver alternative dial-tone and other services using an incumbent carrier's equipment.
Any telephone company that offers service in a specific area. Now that the industry has been deregulated, several companies may offer service in a single area. New ones entering a market are Competitive Local Exchange Carriers. The original telephone company at the time of deregulation is known as the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (See also "ILEC").
An alternative local telephone company that competes against incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) for local and access business. Also known as a competitive access provider (CAP) or alternate local telephone company (ALT). Companies that build high-bandwidth fiber-optic networks to compete with the incumbent telephone and cable operators. See also overbuilder.
A competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), in the United States, is a telecommunications provider company (sometimes called a "carrier") that competes with other, already established carriers (generally the incumbent local exchange carrier).