The telephone company that provides and supports the local connection to the public switched telephone network. In many areas of the US, the LEC is one of the seven Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) or "Baby Bells." These LECs become partners for organizations seeking to develop a CHIN or, more conservatively, simply seeking to integrate their information system across many sites within a region.

An organization that provides local telephone service, which includes the RBOCs, large companies such as GTE and hundreds of small, rural telephone companies. A LEC controls the service from its central office (CO) to subscribers within a local geographic area.

It is a term that is used to describe a public telephone company like the MTNL, which provides local service.

See LEC.

A local telephone company, that is a communications common carrier that provides ordinary local voice-grade telecommunications service under regulation within a specified service area. "Local exchange" is often used as a synonym for the local telephone company's central office.

As defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a company certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide local exchange telecommunications service. A LEC can be either a Bell Operating Company or an independent company.

(1) Provider of local telephone service. (2) The provider of service within a LATA.

One of the US telephone access and service providers that resulted from the US deregulation of telecommunications.

a carrier of telephone calls and other communication services carried by telephone lines

a local telephone company, which can be either a Bell Operating company or an independent (e

A term for a public telephone company in the U.S. that provides local service. Some of the largest LECs are the Bell operating companies (BOCs) which were grouped into holding companies known collectively as the regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) when the Bell System was broken up by a 1983 consent decree. In addition to the Bell companies, there are a number of independent LECs, such as GTE.

In the U.S., a telephone company which provides local and long distance services within defined operating regions (e.g., a state) known as Local Access and Transport Areas (LATAs).

The BOCs and the independent telephone companies.

Your Local Telephone company. [Back to Glossary Table of Contents

A telecommunications utility that has been granted either a certificate of convenience and necessity or a certificate of operating authority to provide local exchange telephone service, basic local telecommunications service or switched access service within the state. A local exchange company is also referred to as a local exchange carrier.

The supplier of phone and communications within a specific city or geographic region. Also commonly known as your local phone company.

Your local telephone company -- the one that provides you with access lines.

Also referred to as a local exchange company, a LEC is a telephone company that provides basic local service but now may also provide toll service. Also referred to as a local service provider (LSP).

Generally refers to incumbent local telephone companies such as the Bell Operating Companies (BOCs) which traditionally had the exclusive franchised right and obligation to provide local services in their respective service areas.

The telephone utility providing local service.

A telephone utility providing local exchange service.

A telecommunications company that provides telecommunication services in a defined geographic area.

The local regulated provider of public switched telecommunications services.

A local telephone company that can be categorized as either a Bell Operating Company or as an independent, which traditionally had the exclusive franchised right and the responsibility to provide local transmission and switching services.

(LEC) - A company owning and operating the lines and equipment that provide local service to an area. The local exchange carrier could be one of 1,400 companies that provide local services, including the Bell Operating Companies, GTE, United Telephone of Rochester Telephone. State agencies regulate local exchange carriers very closely by monitoring revenues, costs, quality standards and every other aspect of their business. The local exchange carrier maintains the local network for the use of the customer, and for the use of the long distance carrier to access the customer. Local Loop - The physical wiring that runs from the subscriber's telephone to the telephone company's central office.

(LEC) Provider of local communication, i.e. Ameritech. Before The Telecommunications Act of 1996, a regional monopoly situation existed. Now, alternative companies may offer local voice, video, and data communication.

any company that is engaged in the provision of telephone exchange service or exchange access.

The local phone companies, which can be either a Bell Operating Company (BOC) or an independent (for example, GTE) which traditionally had the exclusive, franchised right and responsibility to provide local transmission and switching services.

A public telephone company in the U.S. that provides ordinary local voice-grade telecommunications service under regulation within a specified service area. Some of the largest LECs are the Bell operating companies (BOCs) which were grouped into holding companies known collectively as the regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) when the Bell System was broken up in 1983. In addition to the Bell companies, there are a number of independent LECs, such as GTE.

Telephone companies responsible for providing local connections and services.

A company in your town who offers you "dial tone" service. The main types of LECs are ILECs (Independent Local Exchange Carriers) and CLECs (Competitive Local Exchange Carriers).

Telephone company lingo for your local telephone company. See also RBOC.

Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) is a regulatory term in telecommunications for the local telephone company.