Local Exchange Carriers News and Trends

Find resources to stay informed about local exchange carriers developments

Keeping up with local exchange carriers news and trends will keep you abreast of developments and activities at your local telecommunications carrier. Local exchange carriers may be either Incumbent Local Exchange Providers (ILEC) or Competitive Local Exchange Providers (CLEP). ILEC companies are those that were providing service when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 went into effect to deregulate local and long distance phone service. CLECs compete with ILECs. Local exchange carriers range from small providers to large national companies. How much choice you have in carriers depends on your location.

Keeping up with news gives you a chance to compare your provider to other carriers and allows you to analyze trends and news that may affect your rates or service. News and trends in several areas can have an influence on local phone carriers, including:

1. Internal changes and events at your local exchange carrier;

2. News and developments among local exchange carrier companies;

3. Trends and technological advances in the telecommunications industry.

 

Get news about local telephone carriers

Keeping up with news and trends that affect local carriers can help you find ways to save money on your telecom bills. It allows you to compare your provider with the services and fees charged by others and find out how government regulation, new technology and other developments can affect your service.
Try: CNET provides breaking news and older articles about large and small exchange carriers. Government Technology Magazine provides a summary of the International Telecommunication Union's annual report.

Find information that affects your local phone service

Check with your local carrier to get information and news. Find out about company issues that could affect service or rates.
Try: The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions provides a map with links to each state's Public Utility Commission. Check your state utility commission to find out what carriers operate in your area. The Federal Communications Commission provides a complete list of carriers. Hoovers provides information about local exchange carriers.

Get information about industry trends that affect local phone service providers

The telecom industry regularly faces changes in technology. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and other high-speed services can help to upgrade your local telecom service. Keep up with changes to see how these developments can benefit your company.
Try: Inc. Technology provides up-to-date articles about telecom and communications trends. FierceTelecom, which is part of the FierceMarkets Network, offers general telecom industry news.

 

• Identify what technologies will best benefit your business or residential phone service. Talk to your carrier to find out whether these technologies are available and how they can be implemented.
• Weigh your options when you are considering local exchange telephone carriers. Smaller providers may not offer as many high-tech services, but often provide personal customer service.

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