Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC)
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) is a term used in the telecommunications industry, particularly in the United States and Canada, to describe the traditional telephone company that established infrastructure and services in a specific geographic area prior to the introduction of competition.
ILECs are contrasted with Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs).
Established Monopolies: ILECs were typically the original monopoly service providers for telephone services within their regions before the market was deregulated to allow competition.
Ownership of Infrastructure: ILECs own much of the existing telecommunications infrastructure, including copper wires and fiber optic cables, in their service areas.
Transition from Monopoly to Competition: With the Telecommunications Act of 1996 in the United States, ILECs were required to allow CLECs to access their network infrastructure. This act aimed to promote competition and reduce the monopolistic power of ILECs.
Regulatory Obligations: ILECs are subject to specific regulatory obligations due to their size and control over essential infrastructure. This includes providing universal service and ensuring network access to competitors.
Examples of ILECs: In the United States, examples of ILECs include AT&T, Verizon, and CenturyLink. These companies historically developed and maintained the telephone network infrastructure in their respective service areas.
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers have played a significant role in the development and maintenance of telecommunication infrastructures and continue to be key players in the industry, albeit in a more competitive and rapidly changing environment.