LATA (Local Access Transport Area)

The territory of the US is divided into LATAs (Local Access Transport Areas). Usually LATAs do not fully coincide with the states. Bigger states can have several LATAs on their territory, while smaller states can have a LATA that goes beyond the boundaries of the state. Within the same LATA you have local phone service (carried by your Local Exchange Company) and local long distance service (carried either by your LEC or by your long distance company). The long distance service within a LATA is called local long distance service or IntraLATA long distance service. The service between two LATAs is always carried by your long distance company. This service is called InterLATA service.