Local exchange carrier (LEC) is a regulatory term in telecommunications for the local telephone company. In the United States, wireline telephone companies are divided into two large categories: long-distance (interexchange carrier, or IXCs) and local (local exchange carrier, or LECs). This structure is a result of 1984 divestiture of then-regulated monopoly carrier American Telephone & Telegraph. Local telephone companies at the time of the divestiture are also known as Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC). The divestiture created local exchange carriers for the management of local telephone lines and switches, and provisioning of local phone services within their business area, as well as the long-distance calls originating or terminating in their business area. The vast majority of the United States are served by LECs called Baby Bells, or RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies). The rest of the United States, most commonly in rural or outlying suburban areas, are served by independent LECs, known in
En los Estados Unidos, las compañías telefónicas inalámbricas se dividen en dos grandes categorías: de larga distancia (transportadores de intercambio, o IXCs) y local (transportadores de intercambio locales, o LECs). Esta estructura es el resultado de 1984 desventaja de la entonces regulada monopolista American Telephone & Telegraph. Las compañías telefónicas locales en el momento de la desventaja también se conocen como Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs). La desventaja creó a las compañías de intercambio locales para la gestión de líneas telefónicas locales y interruptores, y la prestación de servicios telefónicos locales dentro de su área de negocio, así como las llamadas de larga distancia que surgen o terminan en su área de negocio. La gran mayoría de los Estados Unidos son servidos por LECs llamados Baby Bells, ROCs o ROCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies).