What Is A Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)?
A competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) is a telecommunications provider or carrier that competes with established carriers (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC), following the 1996 Telecommunications Act that removed prohibitions on competitive local service.
What CLECs Do
A competitive local exchange carrier:
Competes with local exchange carriers (LEC)
May have its equipment connected to the LEC
Often has more competitive pricing for consumers
Typically builds its own fiber networks and offers cloud-based services
Image
![Man using phone at a desk](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_max/public/2024-04/call_routing_754x450%20%281%29.webp?itok=HBijEt68)