What is a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)?

LEC is the abbreviation of Local Exchange Carrier. Additionally, it is a telco in the United State which offers local telephone and communication services to businesses and individuals.

A "local exchange" is a telco's central office (CO). Whereas a "carrier" is a company that "carries" telephone and data traffic for customers. So to be in an easy word, your local exchange carrier (LEC) is the company that invoices you for local phone calls.

Moreover, a LEC owns the local loop cabling that connects its CO to the subscribers' premises. And, they are limited to a geographical area that is known as the local access and transport area (LATA).

What is the Process of Local Exchange Carrier?

Although most LECs run many LATAs. And, each local access and transport area (LATA) is responsible for its own calls, equipment, and customer inquiries.

A local exchange carrier is a small telecommunications business that manages a rural region outside of a larger telecom provider's service area. And, it includes a tiny town outside the city limits of the nearest metropolis.

Additionally, a LEC may own or lease equipment from a larger telecommunications company. But, it is responsible for its own clients and equipment in any case.

What are the Applications of Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)?

Local carrier exchange plays a vital role in providing better telecommunication access to all the subscribers in the rural area or local access transport areas (LATA) which are not governed by huge telecommunication organizations.

Local exchange carriers benefit these customers since they enable them to communicate with local inhabitants and may collaborate with an IXC to provide long-distance calls as an extra service.

What are the Main Duties of Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)?

Well, there are several duties of a local exchange carrier (LEC). And, here we are mentioning some of them. So, let’s have a look at the following.

1. Local exchange carriers authorize number portability according to the Commission's requirements.

2. LECs are not allowed from imposing any limits or requirements on the resale of their services.

3. The establishment of reciprocal compensation in telecommunications carriage and termination is the responsibility of LECs.

4. Other carriers have nondiscriminatory access to operator services, phone numbers, directory listings, and directory help thanks to LECs providing dialing parity.