It used to be that individuals had one selection when it came to their phone service, and that was AT&T. However, after the breakup of the AT&T monopoly in the 1980s, more selections for phone service became available for both local calls and long distance. Even now, though, individuals are still slightly confused when it comes to LATA, IntraLATA, and InterLATA telephone calls and what is best for phone bill management.
Geographical phone regions are known as Local Access Transport Areas, or LATAs. They are centered on different markets, rather than being defined by state borders or area codes. In fact some LATAs transpire over different boundaries. LATAs are run by regional bell operating companies.
Telephone calls made within one LATA are considered IntraLATA phone calls. They are commonly designated as local toll calls. Because of the large assumption that close proximity phone calls should not be as expensive as calls to farther distances, IntraLATA calls are now being priced by phone carries as the same as a local call.
When calling between two LATA regions, that is known as an InterLATA phone call. It is considered, by many phone companies, to be a long distance phone call. Due to the fact that LATA boundaries are crossed, the use of an InterXchange Carrier is required.
Cheap IntraLATA packages should be inquired about if a lot of telephone calls being made are within one LATA region. The price of calls between two LATA regions has also decreased as well as the market for it has become much bigger.
An Intra or InterLATA package can be chosen once an individual determines the location of a majority of daily phone calls. If there are troubles figuring out what is best, a telecom consultant is helpful in determining what is best. A good package will provide individuals with the necessary capabilities to make their phone calls at a price that is affordable.
