RELATED ARTICLES



The LATA Mystery of Telecom Carriers

LATA - is the most often confused term in the telecom industry. While it seems everything is related to "LATA", it is seldom explained in consumer language. Here we will solve the "LATA" mystery.

Types of LATA

There are actually four (4) different terms used in describing access areas:

Some of these can overlap thus causing confusion to consumers.

"INTRALATA"

Also known as "local long distance" in your local service area. Some states assign the entire state to one "IntraLata". In that case every call within that state would be in the same "Lata" or service area.

Other states have several "Latas" or service areas, so calls within your own Lata are IntraLata (local long distance) and calls within your state but outside your "Lata", or service area, are in your "InterLata"

Most consumers and this website use the term Intrastate to refer to both Intralata, and InterLata.

Most carriers do not pick up IntraLata with your long distance. Most of the Long distance Providers with Chamberlain Communications do. You would need to call the local carrier and request a PIC on your IntraLata as well. The local carrier will not charge you to do this. Although some local exchanges are not able to be PIC'ed to any outside carrier, you can go around this by using the dialaround of your carrier. You would need to dial this before each IntraLata call to ensure low rates. See our Quality Dialaround Services

"INTERLATA"

This refers to service between two "Latas". This applies to two Latas within the same state, or even two Latas between different states. As long as there are two different Latas involved, it is "InterLata".

Most consumers and this website refer to this as Interstate.

The important LATA's to remember when understanding your telephone rates are:

With these three "LATAs" you can solve the confusing mystery of "lata".

For More Articles related to long distance , visit our Consumer's Corner | or see our complete line of Long Distance Services