A Guide to Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC) in Pennsylvania

A local exchange carrier is a general term for a telephone company, designed to provide service in a local area. There are two types of local exchange carriers; the incumbent and the competitive. An incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) is a larger, mainstream company that provides telephone service in the vast majority in the United States. On the other hand, a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) describes a telecommunications provider company that competes with other established companies.

The main difference between ILECs and CLECs concerns the amount of coverage within the local exchange carrier. ILECs tend to possess a monopoly in any given area, as they possess a well-known name and recognized service. However, CLECs are growing to become a major component in the telephone service market. To find a list of CLECs in Pennsylvania, the Federal Communications Commission provides a database of CLECs within a state.

Why Choose CLECs?

When purchasing a telephone service, many people may want to consider the reasons for choosing a CLEC over an ILEC. The following are some of the reasons why many are signing with CLECS:

Competitive Pricing:
Suited to its name, competitive local exchange carriers in Pennsylvania offer attractive pricing plans and options compared to its competitors. By offering attractive rates and prices, CLECs are occupying a greater percentage of the market, slowing shifting the scale away from ILECs.

Customer Service:
One common frustration that many people experience with larger telephone corporations is the long waiting times and held phone calls in the process of reaching a representative. Oftentimes, the lack of customer service turns individuals away from ILECs and towards CLECs. CLECs possess a greater advantage in this department, as the small scale of the business and customer base allows representatives to quickly address the needs of their clients.

Features:
When customers look for a telephone service carrier, they look at the additional features of the plan, such as long distance calling, data plans and VoIP capabilities. Competitive local exchange carriers can offer these services at a reasonable price, compared to the often inflated prices of ILECs.

Coverage:
Sometimes, ILECs are not offered in rural or other remote areas. Therefore, residents in Pennsylvania often turn to CLECs as an alternative, yet attractive method of obtaining telephone service. Another benefit of using a CLEC in your area is that their representatives and staff are most likely to understand your needs and requirements.