Glossary of Long Distance Service Related Terms

Lanyard

A piece of rope or line used to secure an object (a lanyard is used to secure a phone book binder to a booth or shelf).

LATA

Local Access Transport Areas (200 in the U.S.). A geographic service area defined in the AT&T Modified Final Judgement. The RBOCs (Baby Bells) and GTE are restricted to operations within, but not between, LATAs. Long distance service within a LATA is provided by the LEC. Service between LATAs is provided by an IEC. LATAs are represented by a 3-character code, and there are 164 of them across the country.

LEC - Local Exchange Carrier

The local or regional telephone company that owns and operates lines to customer locations and Class 5 Central Office Switches. LECs have connections to other COs, Tandem (Class 4 Toll) offices and may connect directly to IECs like WorldCom, AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.

LEC Billing

Arrangement whereby the Local Exchange Carrier invoices the customer for some or all telecommunications services.

Less Than Minimum Penalty

The amount that is added to your long distance bill if the monthly minimum dollar amount is not reached. (See Monthly Minimum to Avoid Penalty)

LNP

Aka: Number Portability Service Charge or LNP. This fee started to appear on many local telephone bills in February 1999. This fee allows local telephone companies to recover costs associated with supporting the technical capability to allow a consumer or business to retain their existing telephone number when switching to another local provider. Local companies are allowed, but not required, to pass on these costs. However most do. They are only allowed to charge this fee for five years from the first date they start to charge the fee, and are not allowed to start charging the fee until they can provide the ability to the end-user of retaining their phone number in the event of switching local telephone companies. Local telephone companies are required to make this "number portability" service available within 6 months of being requested to do so by another local telephone company wishing to service the area. This is NOT a tax. It is a charge that is part of the price you pay to your local telephone company. Neither the FCC nor any other government agency receives the Local Number Portability fee. Local telephone companies are not allowed to charge this fee for customers on the Lifeline Assistance Program.

LOA - Letter Of Agency

A document that authorizes changing the service provider. (See RespOrg, 800 Portability)

Local Loop

The physical wiring that runs from the subscriber's telephone and demarcation point to the telephone company central office.

Local Number Portability

Aka: Number Portability Service Charge or LNP. This fee started to appear on many local telephone bills in February 1999. This fee allows local telephone companies to recover costs associated with supporting the technical capability to allow a consumer or business to retain their existing telephone number when switching to another local provider. Local companies are allowed, but not required, to pass on these costs. However most do. They are only allowed to charge this fee for five years from the first date they start to charge the fee, and are not allowed to start charging the fee until they can provide the ability to the end-user of retaining their phone number in the event of switching local telephone companies. Local telephone companies are required to make this "number portability" service available within 6 months of being requested to do so by another local telephone company wishing to service the area. This is NOT a tax. It is a charge that is part of the price you pay to your local telephone company. Neither the FCC nor any other government agency receives the Local Number Portability fee. Local telephone companies are not allowed to charge this fee for customers on the Lifeline Assistance Program.

Local Toll Calls

These are calls that are in your same area code, but require you to dial a "1" before dialing the 7-digit telephone number. Traditionally, local telephone companies charged higher rates for these services. Now, in most states, long distance carriers provide these services, often at a reduced rate as compared to local phone companies.

Location (Geographic) Portability

Allows a customer to move from one geographic location to another while keeping their ten-digit directory number. This type of portability could involve a new location outside of the customer's original Rate Center. (This is a future requirement by the FCC.)

Long Distance Carrier

A company providing long-distance phone service between LECs and LATAs.

Loop CLEC

Alternative provider who has their own port but needs Verizon's field cable facilities.

Loop Start

With loop start, you "start" [seize] a phone line by bridging through both wires of your telephone line.