Legal Definitions - local-exchange carrier

A local-exchange carrier is a company that provides telephone service in a specific area through a local network. This network includes switches, local loops, and transport trunks, which allow for the routing of calls to their destination. The local-exchange carrier is also responsible for maintaining billing databases and operator services.

For example, AT&T is a local-exchange carrier that provides telephone service in many areas of the United States. They have a network of switches, local loops, and transport trunks that allow for the routing of calls to their destination.

There are federal requirements that local-exchange carriers allow competition by selling access to their network. This includes unbundled access, which allows other companies to use parts of the network to provide their own services.

Overall, a local-exchange carrier is a company that provides telephone service in a specific area through a local network of switches, local loops, and transport trunks.