LEC
(1) (LAN Emulation Client) A software driver that provides LAN emulation (LANE) in an ATM network. It resides in an ATM end station or in a computer system that provides the LAN to ATM conversion, often known as a LAN access device. See LANE.
(2) (Local Exchange Carrier) An organization that provides local telephone service within the U.S., which includes the RBOCs, large companies such as GTE and more than a thousand smaller and rural telephone companies (approximately 1,300 in total). A LEC provides service from the customer premises to its local exchange (central office) within a local geographic area. See LATA, CLEC and ILEC.
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| LATAs, LECs and IXCs |
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| The PSTN is made up of local exchange carriers (LECs) and interexchange carriers (IXCs) that are governed by LATA boundaries. Although this illustration shows one LEC within one LATA, state regulations may allow multiple LECs within the same LATA. |