Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) in New York

Save on phone service with a New York CLEC
By B. Lumadue Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) in New York have been around since the Telecommunications Act of 1996. They compete with Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs). ILECs are the carriers that were in place before deregulation. Most are Regional Bell Operating Companies that were created after the break up of AT&T in the 1980s. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 enabled ILEC companies to offer long distance service in exchange for allowing competition for local phone service.
 

Most CLECs in the NY area use rack space and lines provided by the ILEC and resell the services to local customers, although some larger companies host their own lines. Here is some information that is helpful to know when you're looking for a CLEC in NY:

1. NY Competitive Local Exchange Carriers range in size from smaller local companies to national providers.

2. Signing up with a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier that offers bundled services and discounts can save money on your phone service.

3. CLECs often offer advanced business services, like high-speed Internet, long distance services and voicemail.

Consider national CLECs in New York

Many Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) in New York are large telecommunications companies that operate throughout the United States. These companies often offer lower prices as well as reliable service.
Try: Verizon is a national provider that replaced the original New York Telephone Company. AT&T is another large provider that offers savings by bundling services. Covad Communications is a national provider that offers alternatives to standard phone lines, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and high-speed services.

Look at smaller New York CLECs

A smaller company can offer great deals, specialized business services and fast, personal customer service.
Try: Paetec has offices in New York and offers a range of bundled services. Business Productivity Solutions is a subsidiary of MetTel, an integrated full-service telecommunications company that's headquartered in New York. It provides telecommunications services to business clients.

Find a list of CLECs in New York

When searching for a telecommunications provider, shop around and compare as many prices as possible before making a choice. To find more options, browse listings of Competitive Local Exchange providers.
Try: The New York Public Service Commission offers a comprehensive list of telecommunications providers in New York. The Federal Communications Commission also lists telecommunication providers for New York and other states.

• Determine whether price or features are the most important factor in choosing a NY CLEC. Look for a company that offers services that can grow with your needs. Even if you don't require some services now, they may be useful in the future. Find out if you have the ability to upgrade to more advanced options as you need them.
• While a smaller CLEC in New York might offer great rates, since they don't own the lines the company's control over system outages is often limited. Be sure to get references and check with other customers before committing to a CLEC.