Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

local exchange carrier
     
         (LEC) A company allowed to handle local calls
        following the break-up of the Bell system in the US by
        anti-trust regulators.  These vary from Regional Bell
        Operating Companies (RBOC) through to small independents such
        as Farmers Cooperative.
     
        Local exchange carriers are not allowed to handle
        long-distance traffic.  This is handled by inter-exchange
        carriers (IXC) who are not allowed to handle local calls.
     
        (2002-08-28)