Local Access and Transport Area. A geographic area established through the terms of divestiture at the breakup of the
Bell System. The phone services provided within a LATA to a point outside the LATA are referred to as Long Distance.
Service provided within a LATA are Local services. The telco that provides service within a LATA is a local exchange
carrier (LEC). The intention of LATAs is to increase competitiveness. One of the 161 local geographical areas in the U.S.
within which a local phone company may offer Local or Long Distance telecommunications services.