But, more people might purchase unbundled elements from the LECs and invent many more new services thereby leading to increased utilization of the local exchange and much new business for the LECs. Sometimes, lowering prices can be very profitable. This means that a LEC must allow a competitor to come on the LECs property to install its own equipment. This equipment can be located in a cage, but the competitor can contract for the construction of the cage. The FCC has specified in great detail the various pints in the local exchange at which access by competitors is required.
Access is specified at both the local loop and the trunk sides of the local switch.
Access to trunks is specified. Access to the software that controls the local switch is specified. Access is also required to the signalling network, to operator and information services, and to the support services, such as customer records. Access to the local loop is specified. In effect, access is required everywhere, since access really is technically feasible everywhere.