ILEC Definition

ILEC, with respect to an area in the United States, the local exchange carrier (LEC) that:
· On the date of enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, provided telephone exchange service in such area
o And on such date of enactment, was deemed to be a member of the exchange carrier association pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R) Title 47, section 69.601(b).
o Or is a person or entity that, on or after such date of enactment, became a successor or assignee of a member described in the previous bullet.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may, by rule, provide for the treatment of an LEC (or class or category thereof) as an ILEC if:
· Such carrier occupies a position in the market for telephone exchange service within an area that is comparable to the position occupied by a carrier described in previously
· Such carrier has substantially replaced an ILEC described previously
· Such treatment is consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity

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