local exchange carrier

communications (LEC) A company allowed to handle local calls

following the break-up of the Bell system in the US by

anti-trust regulators. These vary from Regional Bell

Operating Companies (RBOC) through to small independents such

as Farmers Cooperative.

Local exchange carriers are not allowed to handle

long-distance traffic. This is handled by inter-exchange

carriers (IXC) who are not allowed to handle local calls.

(2002-08-28)