Local Interconnection Region. A regulatory and routing boundary used in telecommunications to define a specific geographic area where different carriers can interconnect their networks. Traffic exchanged between a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier and an incumbent carrier within this region is treated as local, avoiding long-distance transit fees. It simplifies network architecture by reducing the number of physical interconnection points required.
Since we expanded our LIR footprint, we can route those calls locally instead of paying the transit provider.
Related terms
CLEC
A competitive local exchange carrier is a telecom provider competing with the established regional telephone company.
LEC
A regulatory term for a local telephone company that provides service within a specific geographic area.
ILEC
The established regional telephone company that owned the original copper wire monopoly before market deregulation.
Telephone exchange
A central system of switches that routes calls between subscribers.