Glossary of Long Distance Service Related Terms

RBOC - Regional Bell Operating Company

One of the seven "Baby Bell" Companies created by the 1982 Modified Final Judgement that specified the terms of the AT&T Divestiture. The seven RHCs include: NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, Bell South, Southwestern Bell, U.S. West, Pacific Telesis, and Ameritech. "RBOC" is sometimes used informally to refer to the Regional Holding Companies defined in the 1982 MFJ. (See Bell Operating Companies - There are 19 BOCs).

Re-bundled CLEC

CLEC orders loop and port separately and then ties them together. This is not allowed in all states.

Regulatory Related Charge

Aka: National Access Fee, Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier Charge, Presubscribed Line Charge, Regulatory Related Charge, or Carrier Line Charge. Pronounced "pixie." This charge started on January 1, 1998 as part of the FCC overhaul of telephone fees. Long distance companies pay a flat fee to the local telephone company when you pre-subscribe your telephone line to their long distance service. (Sometimes referred to "Dial 1" or "Plus 1" service) The charge is designed to compensate the local telephone companies for the costs associated with providing "local loop" service. If a consumer or business has not selected a long distance company for its telephone lines, the local telephone company may bill for the PICC. Although every long distance company is charged the same flat rate per line, long distance companies are allowed to recharge you for this in any way they see fit, and each company uses a different method to charge this carrier specific fee. It is normally not presented to you in such a way that you would think it is a competitive pricing issue. But it is! Some companies do not charge this fee at all, and some charge a carrier specific flat fee. We offer full details of the amazing differences in this rate on the Fees Comparison page. This is NOT a tax. Please note that on July 1, 2000 the FCC ruled that long distance companies no longer will have to pay this fee to local companies for residential lines, or single line businesses. The charge continues for multiple line businesses. Many long distance companies are still charging you for this, even though they aren't paying it anymore!

Resale

In a wholesale environment Verizon ILEC provides bundled service (traditional telephone service) to CLEC, which includes dial tone and access to the local and long distance network. The end user receives these services using existing Verizon ILEC facilities, but is billed by the CLEC. In turn, Verizon bills the CLEC for the use of these services, normally at a discounted rate.

Resale CLEC

Verizon provides all facilities (port and loop) but sells to an alternative competitor who then sells our service to customers.

RespOrg (Responsible Organization)

A Responsible Organization is the company who is responsible for assigning and managing 1-800 numbers. When switching to a new long distance carrier, you will be asked to sign a Responsible Organization form if you would like to keep your existing 1-800 number.